Overall stability of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) is determined by what factor?

The overall stability of a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) is primarily determined by the position of the center of gravity or combined center of gravity. The center of gravity is a crucial factor in understanding how balanced a MEWP is while in operation. When the MEWP is elevated or extended, the center of gravity shifts, which can significantly affect stability.

A well-distributed load ensures that the center of gravity remains within a safe range, allowing the MEWP to maintain its designed stability. If the center of gravity moves too far outside its stability envelope, the risk of tipping increases, potentially leading to accidents.

In contrast, the size of the platform, height of the extension, and weight of the operator also play roles in the operation and safety of the MEWP, but they do not directly determine overall stability in the same critical way as the center of gravity does. The design and engineering of the MEWP take these factors into account, but without proper management of the center of gravity, stability cannot be guaranteed.