Cherry Picker Insurance For Owners, Operators And Hire Companies

Specialist Referrals For Powered Access Plant Liability Road Use And Hire Risks

Cherry pickers support construction, property maintenance, utilities, engineering, infrastructure, events, tree work, cleaning, telecommunications and industrial operations. Businesses may own one machine or a fleet, hire equipment to customers, supply operated access, hire plant for projects or transport road registered and tracked platforms between sites.

Quote Monkey can introduce cherry picker owners, operators, hire companies and contractors to specialist UK insurance brokers experienced in powered access equipment, plant, liability, commercial vehicles and higher risk work at height. Every option remains subject to accurate disclosure, insurer acceptance, policy terms, limits, conditions, excesses and exclusions.

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Owners Operators Hire Companies Dealers And Contractors

Plant Liability Road Use Transport Storage And Work At Height

Cherry Picker Owners Operators Hire Businesses And Industry Uses

Cherry picker describes several powered access machines and many operating models. A specialist review should start with the machine, ownership, hire arrangement, operator, location and work rather than treating every platform or business as identical.

What Cherry Picker Insurance Means

Cherry picker insurance is a practical description for a tailored combination rather than one universal policy. Depending on the business, selected sections may address plant, hire, liability, motor, property, employees, transit and interruption. Plant And Machinery Insurance is a useful starting point, but the make, model, value, working height, outreach, lifting capacity, power source, road registration and intended work all affect underwriting.

Machines And Mobile Elevating Work Platforms

The term cherry picker commonly includes articulating and telescopic boom lifts, truck mounted and van mounted platforms, trailer mounted equipment, tracked access platforms, spider lifts, self propelled boom lifts and electric, diesel or hybrid machines. Indoor, outdoor and rough terrain use, insulated platforms, specialist baskets, winches, attachments and unusual lifting duties must be declared rather than assumed to fall within a general description.

Businesses Owning Cherry Pickers

A contractor, factory, warehouse, farm, property business or industrial operator may own access equipment exclusively for its own work. Insurance should reflect single machines or fleets, equipment values, operators, every working environment, transport and overnight locations. Theft, accidental damage, overturning, collision, fire and malicious damage may be considered where included, but wear, maintenance and mechanical failure should never be assumed to be covered.

Independent Operators And Operated Hire

Self employed operators can work for builders, councils, facilities managers, utilities, event organisers and industrial customers. Supplying a machine with a trained operator creates a different risk from simply hiring out equipment. Contracts, control of the work, site surveys, machine selection, rescue planning, public access, maximum heights and responsibility for damage should be described to the specialist broker.

Hire Companies And Powered Access Fleets

Short term, long term, self drive, bare plant, operated and cross hire each create different responsibilities. Customer checks, hire agreements, handovers, inspection records, delivery, collection, damage evidence and security matter. Businesses with cherry pickers, scissor lifts, telehandlers or cranes can also review Access Equipment Hire Insurance, Equipment Hire Business Insurance and Crane And Lifting Equipment Hire Insurance.

Contractors Hiring Machines

A contractor hiring a cherry picker may become responsible for theft, damage, vandalism, overturning, recovery, repatriation and continuing hire charges under the hire agreement. Damage waivers can contain important limitations. Plant Hire Insurance may be relevant, but the machine value, hire duration, site security, transport and contractual responsibility must match the selected protection.

Dealers Distributors Repairers And Importers

Businesses selling, importing, exporting, servicing, refurbishing, modifying or repairing access platforms can face property, custody, product and professional exposures as well as plant risk. Customer equipment being worked upon, road testing, replacement parts, safety components, instructions and imported machinery require accurate disclosure. A policy for an owner operator should not be assumed to cover commercial repair, modification or product supply.

Construction Roofing And Solar Work

Builders, cladding businesses, decorators, gutter installers, chimney contractors, roofers and solar installers may use platforms around occupied or unfinished buildings. Relevant pages include Builder Public Liability Insurance, Civil Engineering Contractor Insurance, Roofer Public Liability Insurance and Renewable Energy Contractor Insurance. General acceptance for one trade does not automatically extend to every height or project.

Engineering Factories And Warehouses

Steel erectors, engineers, machinery installers, industrial cleaners and maintenance businesses use powered access around frames, production lines, racking and services. Review Steel Erector Insurance, Engineer Public Liability Insurance, Industrial Cleaning Contractor Insurance, Factory Insurance and Warehouse Insurance.

Utilities Power And Communications

Overhead power, street lighting, fibre, telecommunications, CCTV, alarms and utility maintenance can involve live infrastructure and controlled sites. Useful occupation pages include Utilities Contractor Insurance, Transmission And Distribution Contractor Insurance, Fibre Network Contractor Insurance, Power Station Contractor Insurance and Security And Alarm Company Insurance.

Rail Highways Airports And Infrastructure

Railways, highways, bridges, airports, stations, depots, lighting and gantries normally need specialist review. Declare possessions, airside areas, traffic management, permits and principal requirements. Relevant pages include Rail Contractor Insurance, Highway Infrastructure Contractor Insurance, Bridge Construction Contractor Insurance, Airside Contractor Insurance and Traffic Management Contractor Insurance.

Film Television Events And Venues

Cherry pickers can support camera positions, lighting, rigging, banners, decorations, temporary structures, festivals and venue maintenance. Crews, public access, temporary locations and platform attachments should be explained. Related guidance includes Film And Television Production Contractor Insurance, Events Equipment Hire Insurance and Event Venue Insurance.

Trees Cleaning Maintenance And Heritage

Tree surgeons, window cleaners, pressure washers, sign installers, pest control businesses and exterior maintenance contractors should disclose chainsaws, falling branches, roadside work and public areas. Churches, monuments and listed structures can add fragile property and access constraints; see Historic And Heritage Building Restoration Contractor Insurance and Listed Buildings Insurance.

Agricultural Rural And Specialist Environments

Farms and estates may use cherry pickers for trees, barns, grain stores, roofs, lighting and machinery maintenance. Agricultural Contractor Insurance gives related guidance. Soft ground, slopes, overhead services, public spaces, hospitals, schools, retail parks, occupied premises and confined industrial areas all require suitable machine selection and complete disclosure to the insurer.

Tracked cherry picker operating on a construction site

Tracked machines and spider lifts can work on constrained or uneven sites, but the ground, slope, access route, working height, public interface and transportation method all require accurate disclosure.

Plant Liability Employees Road Use Transport And Premises

Physical plant, contractual hire responsibility, third party liability, employees, specialist vehicles, transit and depot risks may require separate sections. Cover remains subject to insurer acceptance and the precise wording, limits, conditions, excesses and exclusions.

Owned Plant Accidental Damage Fire And Theft

Owned truck, van, tracked, trailer or self propelled platforms may need protection for accidental damage, fire, theft and malicious damage. Include new and used machines, baskets, attachments, batteries, chargers, controls, outriggers and stabilisers. Plant And Machinery Insurance may respond only to accepted insured events, values, uses, operators and locations; breakdown and gradual deterioration require separate consideration.

Hired In Plant And Continuing Charges

When a hired trailer mounted machine disappears from a site or a tracked platform overturns, the contractor may remain responsible under the hire agreement. Plant Hire Insurance may consider accepted physical damage and theft, while continuing hire charges, recovery costs and damage waiver gaps need explicit confirmation.

Machines Hired Out To Customers

Self drive hire can introduce customer damage, theft by deception, conversion, unsuitable operators and poor handovers. Operated hire can leave more control with the supplier. Equipment Hire Business Insurance may be relevant only where the exact hire model, customer selection, contracts, delivery, collection, cross hire and equipment security are declared and accepted.

Loss Of Hire Income And Interruption

An insured loss can prevent bookings and earnings while a specialist machine is repaired or replaced. Business Interruption Insurance may address accepted lost hire income or additional working expenses when the required insured damage trigger applies. Ordinary wear, uninsured breakdown, poor maintenance, parts delays or loss of a contract may not create a valid trigger.

Public Liability Insurance

An overturn, dropped tool, boom collision, hydraulic leak, damaged glazing, outrigger damage or pedestrian injury can lead to serious allegations. Public Liability Insurance may respond to accepted third party injury or property damage claims, but maximum heights, property being worked upon, overhead cables, roads, rail, airside and other specialist environments must match the wording.

Employers Liability And Personal Accident

Operators, drivers, engineers, depot staff, delivery crews, supervisors, apprentices and some labour only subcontractors can face falls, entrapment, crushing, collision and manual handling injuries. Employers Liability Insurance may be legally required depending on the relationship. Group Personal Accident Insurance may provide selected benefits after specified accidental injuries but is not a substitute.

Truck And Van Mounted Road Risks

Road registered units may require suitable Commercial Vehicle Insurance as well as plant and liability protection. Travel, roadside work, specialist bodywork, attached access equipment, drivers, business use, overnight parking and incidents while deployed should be stated. A motor section and a plant section may protect different parts of the same vehicle and loss.

Heavy Platforms Fleets Trailers And Low Loaders

Larger platforms can require Heavy Goods Vehicle Insurance. Multi vehicle operators can consider Motor Fleet Insurance. Trailer detachment, towing and theft may require Commercial Trailer Insurance, while tracked machinery moved on transporters can require Low Loader Insurance.

Machines Tools And Parts In Transit

Cherry pickers, accessories, batteries, tools and parts can be damaged or stolen during delivery, loading or unloading. Goods In Transit Insurance may be considered subject to ownership, responsibility, value, vehicle, securing method, carrier and unattended periods. Road motor liability and physical damage to the machine being carried remain different insurance considerations.

Depots Compounds And Storage Yards

Fenced compounds, depots, workshops, charging areas, fuel and battery stores, washdown areas, offices and collection points can concentrate high values. Theft, fire, flood, vandalism and collision risks should reflect the actual site. Commercial Storage Depot And Yard Insurance may be relevant alongside Storage Facility Insurance.

Workshops Repairs And Customer Equipment

Service and repair premises can involve customer machines, hot work, welding, batteries, hydraulics, replacement controls and testing after repair. Commercial Combined Insurance may combine selected property and liability sections. Damage to the item being worked upon, faulty workmanship, modifications and road testing should be checked specifically rather than assumed.

Tools Contents And Portable Equipment

Diagnostic laptops, hydraulic tools, electrical testers, hand tools, rescue equipment and safety equipment need realistic replacement values. Business Contents Insurance may protect accepted items at premises, while Tools In Van Insurance may apply away from the address subject to vehicle and security conditions.

Property Ownership And Home Administration

Operators may own or rent offices, workshops and yards, so property duties should be distinguished; Commercial Property Owners Insurance is relevant to owners letting premises. Small businesses may administer bookings from home while plant stays at a secure depot. Working From Home Insurance explains why household cover should not be assumed to protect commercial activity.

Haulage And Nationwide Movement

Machines travelling throughout the UK can involve collection, delivery, low loaders and specialist haulage. Haulage Insurance may be relevant where the business transports goods or plant for reward. Geographic limits, vehicle weights, route planning, loading ramps, securing equipment, driver competence and overnight stops should all be included.

Speak To A Specialist Cherry Picker Insurance Broker

Quote Monkey can introduce individual machine owners, self employed operators, powered access fleets, hire companies, construction and infrastructure contractors, industrial operators, dealers and repairers to a specialist broker. Provide machine types, values, working heights, road registration, hire arrangements, operators, sites, storage, transport, turnover, wage roll and claims history.

Complete The Specialist Referral Enquiry

Engineering Inspection Professional Risks Digital Operations And Referral Information

Insurance and safe operation are connected by accurate information but remain distinct. A policy does not certify a machine, replace legal duties or approve an operator, method, site or contract.

Engineering Inspection And Insurance Are Separate

Insurance never replaces statutory examination, servicing, maintenance or operator checks. A broker may need LOLER reports, PUWER information, service records, certificates, defect reports and evidence of competent examination. The official HSE Mobile Elevating Work Platforms Guidance and HSE Thorough Examinations And Inspections Of Lifting Equipment explain current responsibilities. Buying insurance does not satisfy legal duties or certify a machine as safe.

Recognised Training And Familiarisation

HSE guidance states that operators should receive formal training for the type of MEWP and familiarisation with the controls and operation of the specific make and model. Insurers may request evidence of competence. Training, supervision, model suitability, pre use checks and defect reporting remain operational responsibilities and should be addressed using current governing, professional and HSE guidance.

LOLER Thorough Examination

Current HSE guidance says a MEWP used to lift people must ordinarily be thoroughly examined at least every six months by a competent person, or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by one. The precise duties and timing should be checked against current rules and competent professional advice. Insurance does not replace these examinations, written reports, maintenance or action on safety critical defects.

PUWER Work At Height And Safe Operation

Risk assessments, method statements, rescue and emergency plans, ground assessment, outriggers, wind limits, harness or restraint arrangements, exclusion zones, traffic routes, overhead structures and cables all require competent consideration. This page is not legal or safety advice. Businesses should follow current law, manufacturer instructions, HSE information and appropriate professional or governing guidance for every machine and job.

Professional Indemnity Insurance

A business providing site surveys, access planning, machine selection advice, written plans, risk assessments, method statements, technical reports, training, specifications, consultancy or project management may consider Professional Indemnity Insurance. It is not automatically needed by every owner and does not replace public liability, plant protection or responsibility for competent work.

Product Liability For Dealers And Repairers

Manufacturers, importers, distributors, dealers, parts suppliers, refurbishers and modifiers may face allegations involving failed safety components, controls, platforms, guardrails, accessories or instructions. Product Liability Insurance may respond to accepted injury or damage allegations. Recall costs, defective workmanship and the cost of replacing a faulty component can be treated differently.

Directors And Officers Insurance

Directors and senior managers can face certain allegations concerning safety management, employment responsibilities, regulatory decisions, contracts and corporate governance. Directors And Officers Insurance may protect insured individuals against selected claims and defence costs, subject to wording. It does not replace company liability, plant, property or employers liability insurance.

Cyber Insurance And Connected Fleets

Online bookings, customer data, GPS tracking, digital hire agreements, payment systems, maintenance records and connected machines can be disrupted by fraud, ransomware or system failure. Cyber Insurance may provide selected response, liability and interruption support. Security controls, backups, access permissions, payment procedures and previous incidents can influence terms.

Business Legal Expenses

Selected employment, tax, property, contract, debt recovery or regulatory disputes may be considered under Business Legal Expenses Insurance, depending on the policy. Notification deadlines, prospects tests and approved advisers may apply. It should not be presented as cover for every dispute, fine, deliberate act, known issue or contractual liability.

Machine Fleet And Value Information

Prepare the manufacturer, model, age, value, power source, working height, outreach, lifting capacity, attachments and road registration for each machine. Explain whether equipment is owned, hired in, cross hired or hired out and whether hire is operated or self drive. Total values and concentration at depots, sites or storage locations help the broker present the exposure accurately.

Operators Customers Contracts And Work

Provide operator qualifications, experience, employees, subcontractors, customer selection, handover procedures, hire agreements, industries served, maximum contracts and specialist environments. Rail, airside, highways, utilities, power stations, work near overhead cables, tree work and public events should be identified with the proportion of turnover and maximum heights rather than hidden within a general description.

Security Maintenance Transport And Claims

Explain trackers, immobilisers, keys, barriers, alarms, overnight storage, inspection records, maintenance, LOLER documentation, transport vehicles and securing arrangements. Include previous thefts, overturns, collisions, injuries, damage, near misses and declined or restricted insurance. Clear information supports the referral but does not guarantee that an insurer will quote or accept every activity.

Truck mounted cherry picker travelling to a customer site

Road registered access vehicles can require commercial motor, plant and liability protection that reflects travel, attached machinery, drivers, overnight parking and work while the platform is deployed.

Cherry Picker Risks And Realistic Claim Examples

These examples explain which insurance might be considered, not a promised outcome. Every claim depends upon the declared activities, facts, insurer acceptance, policy wording, limits, conditions, excesses and exclusions.

Overturn On Soft Ground

A tracked cherry picker is positioned beside recently disturbed ground and overturns, damaging its boom, basket and the customer’s building. Own plant insurance may respond to accepted machine damage and public liability may be relevant to third party property. The insurer would examine the ground assessment, machine selection, outriggers, operator competence, declared activity and policy terms before deciding any response.

Boom Strikes A Commercial Building

An articulating boom strikes cladding and glazing and falling debris damages a vehicle below. Public liability may respond to accepted third party property damage, subject to working height, activity, care custody or control and property being worked upon provisions. Exclusion zones, supervision, spotters, route planning and the precise cause could be material to the claim investigation.

Truck Mounted Platform Road Accident

A truck mounted cherry picker collides with another vehicle while travelling between sites, damaging the chassis, specialist body, boom and third party vehicle. Commercial motor insurance may address the road accident, while separate plant cover may be required for equipment not fully protected by the motor wording. Vehicle use, driver, roadworthiness and values must have been accurately declared.

Hired Machine Stolen Overnight

A contractor leaves a hired trailer mounted platform at a site overnight and thieves remove the security device and tow it away. Hired in plant cover may respond depending on the hire agreement, accepted value, theft protections, storage and security conditions. Continuing hire charges, replacement hire and recovery expenses require specific protection and should not be assumed.

Tool Falls From The Platform

A tool falls from a basket and injures a pedestrian below. Public liability may respond to an accepted third party injury allegation, depending on the facts and wording. Insurers may examine exclusion zones, tool restraints, public access, supervision, working method and maximum height. A policy does not guarantee that every dropped object incident will be insured.

Operator Entrapment Injury

An employed operator becomes trapped between the platform and overhead steelwork and suffers serious injury. Employers liability may respond to an accepted workplace allegation. Group personal accident may provide specified benefits if selected. Machine choice, familiarisation, rescue planning, controls, supervision and the worker’s employment status can all affect the different sections and resulting investigation.

Customer Damages A Hired Cherry Picker

A self drive customer operates a machine on unsuitable sloping ground and it overturns. A hire company plant policy may respond only if self drive hire was declared and accepted. The insurer may inspect customer vetting, operator competence, handover records, hire terms, security and recovery rights. Damage waivers and customer reimbursement are not guaranteed to settle the insured loss.

Depot Fire Damages A Fleet

Fire starts in a battery charging area and spreads through a depot, damaging electric cherry pickers, chargers, tools, parts and workshop equipment. Plant, contents, property and business interruption sections may address different losses, subject to insured causes, declared values and conditions. Charging arrangements, electrical inspection, fire separation and accumulation of machinery may be reviewed.

Overhead Cable Contact

A platform working near electrical infrastructure contacts an overhead cable, injuring an operator and interrupting customer operations. Liability and employee sections may be relevant only if this work was fully disclosed and accepted. Utilities work, voltage environment, separation, planning and principal requirements can attract specialist terms; ordinary height work acceptance must not be treated as approval.

Hydraulic Leak At Customer Premises

A hydraulic hose fails while the machine is deployed inside a warehouse and fluid damages stock and flooring. Public liability may investigate the third party damage, while plant cover may address insured damage to the machine itself. Maintenance, inspection, gradual deterioration, pollution restrictions, customer property and clean up expenses can be treated separately under the wording.

Mechanical Failure And Lost Bookings

A specialist machine suffers an internal mechanical failure before a series of bookings. Ordinary plant accidental damage should not be assumed to respond to wear or breakdown, and business interruption normally needs an accepted insured trigger. Machinery breakdown or loss of hire protection may need separate consideration, subject to maintenance, age, parts availability and selected terms.

Complete Claim And Policy Qualification

Every example is only a possible insured situation. Acceptance depends on the declared machines, hire model, operators, industries, heights, locations, transport and storage as well as the actual facts, policy wording, limits, conditions, excesses and exclusions. Quote Monkey does not decide claims, provide the policy or guarantee that any insurer will accept a business or loss.

Cherry Picker Owners Operators And Hire Companies

Whether you own one cherry picker, operate a powered access fleet, hire machines to customers or use access platforms within a contracting business, Quote Monkey can introduce you to a specialist broker experienced in assessing plant, liability, commercial vehicle, storage and working at height risks.

Request A Cherry Picker Insurance Introduction

Cherry Picker Insurance FAQs

What is cherry picker insurance?▼

It is not necessarily one standard policy. A business may need selected plant, liability, motor, property, employee, transit and hire related sections according to its machines and activities.

What types of cherry pickers can be considered?▼

Truck mounted, van mounted, tracked, trailer mounted and self propelled platforms, spider lifts, articulating boom lifts and telescopic boom lifts may be considered subject to insurer acceptance.

Is a cherry picker the same as a MEWP?▼

Cherry picker is a common term for certain mobile elevating work platforms, especially machines using an extending or articulated boom to position people at height.

Can I insure a single cherry picker?▼

Potentially. A broker will normally need the make, model, age, value, working height, use, operators, transport, storage and claims information.

Can a fleet of cherry pickers be insured?▼

Potentially. Supply a complete schedule of machine types, values, locations, security, hire arrangements, vehicles, operators and claims history.

Can truck mounted cherry pickers be insured?▼

Potentially, subject to underwriting. The road vehicle and permanently attached access equipment may create separate commercial motor and plant considerations.

Can van mounted cherry pickers be insured?▼

Potentially. The broker will need vehicle, platform, driver, operator, road use, business use and overnight parking information.

Can tracked cherry pickers and spider lifts be insured?▼

Potentially. Declare machine values, working heights, industries served, transportation, storage and the ground conditions in which they are used.

Can trailer mounted cherry pickers be insured?▼

Potentially. Insurance considerations include the platform, trailer, towing vehicle, road use, theft, accidental damage and overnight security.

Can hired in cherry pickers be covered?▼

Potentially. The policy should reflect the hire agreement, machine value, hire period, transport, theft protections and responsibility for continuing hire charges.

Can cherry pickers hired to customers be insured?▼

Specialist terms may be available for operated and self drive hire. Customer selection, contracts, handovers, delivery and machine security must be disclosed.

Does cherry picker insurance cover theft?▼

Theft may be covered subject to tracking, immobilisers, key control, storage, vehicle and other security requirements in the policy.

Does cherry picker insurance cover accidental damage?▼

Accidental damage may be available, but wear, mechanical failure, incorrect use, deliberate acts, undeclared activities and security breaches may be excluded or restricted.

Is mechanical breakdown covered?▼

Ordinary plant insurance should not automatically be assumed to cover mechanical or electrical breakdown. Specialist breakdown protection may need separate consideration.

Is public liability included?▼

It may be arranged within a wider commercial package or separately. Accepted activities, working heights, machines, contracts and project environments must match the business.

Do cherry picker operators need employers liability insurance?▼

Businesses employing operators, drivers, engineers or other workers may require employers liability insurance. The true employment and labour arrangements should be discussed with the broker.

Does insurance cover working near overhead cables?▼

This must not be assumed. Work near overhead electrical infrastructure is a significant exposure requiring complete disclosure, competent controls and insurer acceptance.

Can cherry pickers used on railways be covered?▼

Potentially, but rail work normally requires specialist underwriting. Declare trackside work, possessions, contracts, principal requirements and maximum working heights.

Can cherry pickers used at airports be covered?▼

Airport and airside work may require specialist terms, permits, higher liability limits and full details of contracts and operational areas.

Can machines used for tree work be insured?▼

Potentially. Tree work, chainsaws, falling branches, roadside operations, operators and maximum working heights must all be declared.

Can window cleaners use this insurance route?▼

Potentially. Explain cleaning methods, heights, machine types, operators, customer premises and whether equipment is owned, hired in or hired out.

Can film and television cherry picker operations be insured?▼

Potentially. The broker will need details of camera platforms, lighting, rigging, crew, public access, venues and temporary production locations.

Do cherry pickers require LOLER examinations?▼

Current HSE guidance says MEWPs lifting people must ordinarily be thoroughly examined at least every six months by a competent person, or under an examination scheme. Obtain current competent guidance.

Does insurance replace LOLER inspections or operator training?▼

No. Insurance does not replace legal duties, examinations, maintenance, risk assessments, competent operators, familiarisation or safe systems of work.

Do operators need recognised training?▼

HSE guidance says operators should receive formal training for the MEWP type and familiarisation with the controls and operation of the specific make and model.

Can a cherry picker be stored at home?▼

Possibly, but residential access, security, neighbours, planning, overnight values and household insurance implications must be disclosed. Home insurance should not be assumed to cover commercial plant.

What information is needed for a quotation?▼

Prepare machine schedules, values, heights, outreach, hire activities, operators, industries, contracts, transport, road registration, storage, security, turnover, wage roll and claims history.

Can businesses with previous claims obtain insurance?▼

Potentially. Provide complete details of claims, incidents, thefts, injuries, damage, circumstances, settlement and improvements made afterwards.

How can Quote Monkey help?▼

Quote Monkey can introduce cherry picker owners, operators, hire businesses, dealers and contractors to specialist brokers experienced in plant, liability, road risks and powered access operations.