Why businesses need a structured preventative maintenance programme for their plant and equipment.

HSE has recently been alerted to a safety issue with MCWPs, also known as ’mast climbers‘, which are frequently used in construction and can be used in other industries where high-level access and maintenance are required. They’re typically used as an alternative to traditional scaffolding and are a powered work platform attached to one or more vertical masts with the mechanical drive units on the masts. 

HSE has revealed that some MCWPs, which rely on two independent motor drive units per mast to prevent the platform from falling with excessive speed, lack adequate controls to mitigate this risk. This means that work platforms may collapse from great heights if mechanical failures in driving units go unnoticed. If not corrected promptly, the flaw could result in serious damage or even death. Failures in drive units can cause neither the centrifugal brakes (designed to limit the speed of descent) nor the automatic brakes (supposed to engage when powered motion is stopped) to function.Malfunctions in drive units that compromise proper operation are predictable, and unless a method of detecting such malfunctions is given, there is a risk of platforms collapsing at high speeds.

HSE has advised to immediately check that the necessary control measures are in place for all MCWP in use or available for use at a work.If the control measures are not in place, you need to withdraw the MCWPs from use until those responsible for supply, installation, use, inspection, servicing, maintenance and for thorough examination of MCWPs ensure that:

• there is the 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, eg centrifugal brake, that automatically prevents the work platform 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

Where MCWPs are found in use or available for use without suitable controls to manage the risk set out above HSE enforcement action will be taken in line with regulation 4 of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) which requires machinery to be constructed or adapted to be suitable for the purpose for which it is provided or used.

For more information on this matter and advice on how to mitigate risks around the usage of MCWPs, get in touch with Browns Safety Services today.