The International Powered Access Federation and Mastclimbers LLC has issued a 28-page document on safe installation, maintenance, examination and use of mast-climbing work platforms in the United States.
The document details training requirement to control the quality of use, installation and planning, and provides typical checklists for daily and weekly inspections.
Realizing that MCWPs are being increasingly used as temporary work places that give variable height access to areas above ground level, the guidelines were prepared following numerous requests from industry organizations, platform users and manufacturers for a comprehensive document that would enhance workplace safety. The guidelines are based on the European document Health and Safety Guidance for Mast Climbing Work Platforms, Guideline BS7981 and BS EN 1495, Lifting Platforms — Mast Climbing Platforms. The guidelines include input from ANSI 92.2, OSHA 1926 Subpart L “Scaffolds,” Cal OSHA’s specific MCWP guidance and IPAF’s International MCWP Committee.
“The U.S. is in the same position now that the U.K. was in with legislation on design and safe use, falling further and further behind the uptake of the product in all market sectors,” said Kevin O’Shea, chairman of IPAF’s International Mast Climbing Work Platform Committee. “The British equivalent of these guidelines, BS7981, and the emergence of a strong design standard, transformed MCWP safety in the U.K. to the point where it is now considered the safest method of powered access available. ANSI SIA 92.9 (the U.S. design standard) is currently being re-drafted and these safe use regulations will provide the final piece of the jigsaw, and users, installers, manufacturers, rental companies and regulatory bodies will all benefit from this document.”
Copies of the “IPAF Guidelines for the Safe Use of Mast Climbing Work Platforms: U.S. Edition 2008” are available free of charge and can be downloaded from www.ipaf.org, or www.awpt.org.
