A Mast Climbing Work Platform (MCWP) is a motorised, vertical access platform for construction and maintenance tasks that moves up and down a mast.

Hazards

MCWP operations may present a risk of injury to workers and other people from:

  • Falls from height: workers falling due to platform instability from high winds or mechanical failure while operating, accessing or performing maintenance.
  • Falling objects: people being struck by the load or falling objects from the load (e.g. materials, components) due to plant or equipment failure, operator error or high winds.
  • Collision: contact or collision with other plant and structures such as scaffolds and powerlines.
  • Overloading the platform: exceeding the weight limit can cause loss of stability, tipping and falls from height.
  • Structural failure:can cause loss of stability, tipping and falls from height.
  • Psychosocial hazards: for example, high job demands, remote or isolated work, or fatigue can lead to physical and mental injuries.

Safety requirements

  • Safe Work Method Statements (SWMS): working with MCWPs requires a site-specific High Risk Construction Work Safe Work Method Statement being implemented before work commences. See SWMS for high risk construction work.
  • Training: ensure operators are trained on the specific MCWP controls, including emergency procedures, and are licenced and follow SOPs and SWMSs.
  • Safety harnesses: full safety harnesses must be worn by everyone on the platform of a BMU and be secured to the anchor point.
  • Working with loads: never exceed the Working Load Limit and ensure loads are balanced and secured before lifting.
  • Exclusion zones: ensure they are in in place.
  • Communication: have an agreed system of communication with support personnel who have line of sight of the operator.
  • Emergencies: ensure support personnel are trained to use ground based controls for emergency descent.
  • Wind: monitor wind speeds and their effect on the BMU and stop work if necessary.
  • Guardrails: maintain guardrails and ensure proper edge protection according to AS 4024.1 – Safety of machinery

High Risk Work Licence

A person who operates a MCWB must hold the relevant High Risk Work Licence.

Registration

MCWP require design registration but not plant item registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

The MCWP can be designed to any internationally recognised published technical standard with the following documents being required for the registration of the plant design:

  • each model must have a separate design registration application form.
  • statement signed by the designer of the plant stating:
  • the designer has complied with their obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act.
  • the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
  • design calculations and drawing(s) in English, as referenced in the designer's statement
  • an independent design verification statement.
  • payment of the fee which lasts for the life of the design (payable on completion of the online application).

Note:

  • design registration applies to all plant items manufactured to the same design.
  • design registration is valid for the life of the plant.
  • manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of plant are prohibited from supplying plant unless the design of that plant is registered.
  • design registration in SA is not required if the plant design is registered in another state under a corresponding WHS law (WHS Act 2012 (SA)).
  • any alteration to the design of registered plant that may affect health, and safety requires an alteration to its design registration.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures

Inspection and maintenance

A preventative maintenance program must be in place, taking into account the working environment, frequency and severity of use of the plant. It needs to be carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications and applicable Australian standards (i.e. AS 2550.1, AS 2550.16), with inspections carried out by a competent person such as:

(a) Pre-operational inspection: conducted before the beginning of each work shift or change of operator.

(b) Routine inspection: conducted at intervals of 3 months.

(c) Periodic inspection: conducted at intervals of 12 months.

(d) Major inspection: conducted by the end of the 10th year in-service.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available, and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to AS 2550.16 and WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

SafeWork SA

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 - Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS 1418.1: Cranes, hoists and winches: General requirements
  • AS 1418.16: Cranes, hoists and winches – Mast Climbing Work Platforms
  • AS 2550.1: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use: General requirements
  • AS 2550.16: Cranes, hoists and winches – Mast Climbing Work Platforms
  • AS 4024.1: Safety of machinery

Codes of Practice

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