What is this standard about?
Temporary suspended access equipment (TSAE) supports or contains people working at height. Typically it is a temporary suspended platform (TSP), work cage or chair; suspended from a suspension rig; assembled at the place of work; used to carry out specific tasks; and then dismantled and removed when the specific tasks are completed to be used elsewhere.
This standard provides recommendations on choosing and using this type of equipment – as defined in BS EN 1808 – in the safest way.
NOTE: Non-standard installations are covered by this standard, but steeplejacks and steeplejack operations are not; nor is permanently installed suspended access equipment, which can be found in BS 6037-1.
Who is this standard for?
It will be used by the manufacturers and designers of suspended access equipment for design and quality management. The standard will also be used in a wide range of industries, including:
- Building construction and maintenance including building refurbishment
- Transport
- Shipbuilding and marine engineering
- Food and manufacturing industries
- Telecommunications
- Entertainment
- Equipment hire
Specifically the standard will be used by:
- Building owners
- Facility managers
- Safety officers and specifiers
- Structural and construction engineers
- Specialist access consultants
- Principal designers
- Window cleaners
- Façade designers
- Insurance companies
- Notified bodies
- Work at height training organizations
- Test bodies
Why should you use this standard?
BS 5974 gives recommendations and guidance that enables TSAE to be installed (erected, altered and dismantled), maintained, examined and used in a safe manner. It also sets out the responsibilities of all parties involved with those activities.
Since falls from height are among the most common causes of fatalities in the workplace, this standard is important for health and safety. It also enables businesses carrying out this type of work to set best practices; and it maintains a high standard of work for all suppliers.
What’s changed since the last update?
Significant advances have been made in the technology affecting machine design, safety and working practices since 2010, as well as in regulation. This is a full revision of the standard. It introduces changes as a result of amendments to the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations (CDM) and Work at Height Regulations. It also introduces updates to:
- The use of auxiliary hoists
- Rescue requirements