A new online tool from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (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. Through photographs, workers learn about the areas that may pose hazards in the use of the scaffold.
The free walk through 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.
