Mast Climber Safety Hazards
A mastclimber is an elevating work platform that carries people and materials up and down vertical masts to perform construction work at height. It can handle heavier loads than traditional scaffolding and has a small footprint, making it an attractive option for working at narrow building facades or on high-rises. The equipment is also much faster than setting up a scaffold and dismantling it.
Several safety hazards can arise when using these machines, however. These include falling hazards (due to unguarded ends or a climb from the work platform to a building opening), climbing hazards on the mast (due to inadequate platform material or bridging), load issues and instability of the machine, and dismantling issues. The use of mast climbers has been associated with four worker deaths.
Understanding the Technology Behind Mast Climbers
Mast climbers are designed to be stable and anchored using a system of “mast ties.” These are not the same #9 wires used to connect a frame scaffold to a structure; they are robust, purpose-built components that are provided by the MCWP manufacturer for the explicit purpose of maintaining mast stability. These ties must be installed at the locations and with the frequencies required by the MCWP manufacturer, in order to maintain the safety and performance of the machine.
NIOSH has developed a new online tool to help anyone who uses or trains others to use a mast climber identify common safety hazards. The tool allows users to navigate through a typical daily inspection walkthrough for an anchor-mounted mastclimber, with pictures of various setups and associated inspection points displayed.