Washington — A new online tool from NIOSH is designed to guide users through daily pre-shift inspections of mast climbing work platforms and help identify common hazards associated with the equipment.
Also known as mast climbers and commonly used on construction sites, mast climbing work platforms are power-driven platforms that travel up and down a vertical tower or mast to carry workers and materials to various heights. According to OSHA, around 4,500 construction workers are injured annually in falls from various types of scaffolding, including mast climbers.
The free walkthrough tool examines more than 15 different areas of mast climbers that should be inspected daily before work begins. Users can click on the highlighted areas of various photos to learn about environmental and equipment risks that exist, including:
- Power lines
- Weather
- Outrigger pads/blocks
- Mast sections
- Platform/planking condition
- Guardrails
The tool is not a substitute for OSHA training requirements for mast climbers. NIOSH encourages all workers, trainers and safety professionals to consult manufacturer specifications and guidelines.
