Mobile access towers

However, they can pose a significant risk of injury if they are not used properly.

Typically, injury can result from falling when erecting, dismantling, or completing tasks from the tower or misusing it, causing it to overturn.

Therefore, basic safety precautions must be taken when they are used.

Generally, if someone is injured, you may need to show that you have met your duty of care.

If you are an employer or have control of work completed by others, you may also need to ensure that:

• The work is properly organised and planned
• The persons completing the work are competent (or supervised by someone who is)
• Certain steps need to be taken to avoid risk from work at height
• Work equipment is correctly selected
• Certain work equipment and places of work at height are inspected.

Additional requirements might also apply in some circumstances.

The meaning of ‘work’ is legally defined.

• Mobile access towers are used when safer options would be more appropriate
• Damaged, defective, or missing components
• Equipment erected or dismantled in an unsafe manner
• Equipment incorrectly assembled
• Stabilisers or outriggers are not used
• Unsafe access to the working platform
• Incomplete working platforms with inadequate edge protection
• Contact with overhead electricity lines
• Adverse weather makes work at height unsafe (for example, high winds, snow, and ice).

Typical precautions include:

• Avoiding the need to complete tasks at height in the first place
• Using a competent contractor when the task is complex or beyond the capability of others
• Ensuring that tasks are properly planned in advance
• Using existing places at height where these are suitable
• Choosing mobile access towers that are suitable
• Following the instructions supplied with the equipment
• Making sure that those using the equipment know how to use it safely
• Making sure no task at height is carried out when there are adverse weather conditions
• Make sure the equipment is inspected to ensure that it remains safe.