Ministry of Labour alert calls for more thorough inspections on mast-climbing work platforms

In response to the deaths of two Ontario workers operating a mast-climbing work platform (MCWP) that collapsed, the Ministry of Labour recently issued an alert providing recommendations for improved inspection practices. CSA standard B354.5-07 already includes an annual inspection plan. This new alert calls for a more thorough inspection plan which includes the use of nondestructive testing to check load bearing members, including mast sections, and platform sections and ties, in addition to the regular annual inspection activities.In summary, these new recommendations strongly suggest:

• The person performing the inspection be an engineer OR designated in writing as competent for the task by a professional engineer.
• Critical welds be inspected using methods of nondestructive testing.