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By Elaina Myers, Assistant Editor

May 2026

When work needs to be performed on the exterior or grounds of commercial and institutional facilities — whether it’s maintenance, repairs or landscaping — lifts or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) become an essential tool for safely reaching elevated areas. However, these tasks introduce a unique set of hazards, from uneven terrain to overhead obstacles and unpredictable weather events. Proper planning, training and adherence to safety protocols are critical to ensuring that lift operations are conducted without injury or fatal incident.  

This video highlights how MEWPs are commonly used around building exteriors and emphasizes the importance of situational awareness and proper training. Tim Styranec, director of environmental health and safety at Kent State University, explains best practices for exterior lift work and training requirements that his university grounds team undergoes before becoming certified lift operators.

FacilitiesNet Recommends: MEWPs: High-Level Training Issues