Mobile access towers

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

Therefore, it is essential that basic safety precautions are 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 to be taken to avoid risk from work at height
• work equipment is correctly selected
• certain work equipment and of 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 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 not used
• Unsafe access to the working platform
• Incomplete working platforms with inadequate edge protection
• Contact with overhead electricity lines
• Adverse weather making work at height unsafe (e.g. high winds, snow and ice)*.

Typical precautions include:

• Avoiding the need for completing tasks at height in the first place
• Using a competent contractor where 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
• Making sure equipment is inspected to ensure that it remains safe*.

*Note: this list is not exhaustive