HSE safety alert for mast climbing work platforms

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) have issued a safety alert relating to mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs).

MCWPs are commonly used in construction and other industries where high-level access is required, particularly for maintenance, and as an alternative to traditional scaffolding.

They can be used to lift both people and equipment and are comprised of a powered work platform that is attached to one or more vertical masts with mechanical drive units on them.

The HSE has found that some MCWPS have a serious technical fault. Those MCWPs that use two independent motor drive units per mast as the means to prevent the platform from falling with overspeed, are not fitted with suitable and sufficient controls to manage this risk. This means that the work platforms could fall from height causing serious injury or death, where mechanical faults in drive units have gone undetected.

Failures in drive units can be such that neither the centrifugal brakes (intended to limit the speed of descent) nor the automatic brakes (intended to engage when powered travel is stopped) within the drive units are able to have an effect. Any malfunctions in drive units which endangers proper function are foreseeable and unless a means of detection of such malfunctions is provided there is a risk of platforms falling with overspeed.

Those involved in MCWP activities must check that MCWPs comply with the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations SI 1998/2306, specifically, to ensure that undetected mechanical failure in drive units cannot lead to the uncontrolled fall of the platform. Checks must be made to ensure that necessary control measures are in place for all MCWPs in use or available at work. Any MCWPs where there are not adequate control measures in place must be withdrawn from use until supply, installation, use, inspection, servicing, maintenance and for thorough examination of MCWPs ensure that:

• there are means to identify a loss of mechanical integrity in each drive unit where this is the system to prevent falling with overspeed;
• each individual drive unit is fitted with a mechanical device that automatically prevents the work platform from descending at excessive speed;
• damage to drive units due to platforms being powered onto buffers/base frames is prevented;
• platforms and associated equipment are not damaged by physical overloading;
• thorough examinations, inspections and tests, and visual and functional checks are appropriately planned and carried out.

For more information, see: Mast climbing work platforms: Failure to detect mechanical failure in drive units leading to uncontrolled fall of platforms.