What is BS 7981:2025 - Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) about?
BS 7981:2025 provides recommendations and guidance for the installation, maintenance, thorough examination, and safe use of mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs). These platforms are temporarily installed, powered, and designed to allow people to carry out work at height.
The standard aims to ensure that MCWPs are used safely and effectively, reducing the risk of accidents and improving operational efficiency.
Please note, BS 7981:2025 does not cover hazards related to materials or equipment not part of the MCWP, handling hazardous materials, delivering people/materials to fixed landing levels, or other equipment such as lifts, hoists, or mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs).
Who is BS 7981:2025 - Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) for?
This standard is intended for a wide range of stakeholders, including:
- Construction industry professionals.
- Certification and inspection bodies.
- Owners and hire companies.
- Training companies.
- Regulators.
- Users of MCWPs.
- Employers, dutyholders, and anyone responsible for the supply, installation, use, inspection, servicing, maintenance, and examination of MCWPs.
Essentially, anyone with direct or indirect responsibility for MCWPs will benefit from this standard.
What does BS 7981:2025 - Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) cover?
BS 7981:2025 covers the following:
- Installation, dismantling, maintenance, and examination of MCWPs.
- Safe use procedures for MCWPs.
- Clarification of inspection processes and frequency.
- Improved guidance on ties and fixings.
- Falling object protection systems (FOPS).
- Containment of tools and materials.
- Emergency arrangements and supervision.
- Roles and competencies required on site.
- larity on responsibilities of competent persons.
The standard is designed to address both technical and operational aspects, ensuring that all parties understand their roles and the necessary safety measures.
Why should you use BS 7981:2025 - Mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs)?
By implementing BS 7981:2025, your organization can:
- Reduce the risk of serious accidents and fatalities: BS 7981:2025 directly addresses recent incidents and technical faults in mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs) that have led to injuries and deaths. By following its updated guidance, you can prevent undetected mechanical faults and ensure platforms are safe to use.
- Gain clarity on roles and responsibilities: Confusion over who is responsible for installation, inspection, and maintenance can lead to dangerous oversights. BS 7981 clearly defines the duties of all parties involved, so nothing is left to chance and everyone knows what’s expected of them.
- Ensure compliance with the latest safety requirements: With evolving technology and new safety alerts from regulators like the HSE, it’s easy to fall behind. This standard reflects the current state of the art, so you’re always up to date with best practice and legal expectations.
- Improve inspection and maintenance processes: Inconsistent or unclear inspection routines can allow faults to go unnoticed. BS 7981 provides detailed, practical guidance on inspection frequency and procedures, helping you catch problems early and avoid costly downtime or incidents.
- Enhance emergency preparedness and site supervision: Inadequate emergency arrangements and unclear supervision can make a bad situation worse. The standard strengthens requirements for emergency planning, supervision, and competency, so your team is ready to respond effectively if something goes wrong.
- Boost trust and confidence among clients and regulators: Demonstrating that you follow a robust, up-to-date standard reassures clients, workers, and regulators that safety and reliability are your top priorities.
- Support business growth and operational efficiency: By reducing risk, clarifying processes, and improving safety, BS 7981 helps you operate more efficiently, avoid costly incidents, and open up new opportunities in the construction and maintenance sectors.
What's changed?
BS 7981:2025 is the latest edition of the standard and supersedes BS 7981:2017 which will be withdrawn.
- Revised safety requirements have been introduced in response to recent incidents and technical faults with mast climbing work platforms (MCWPs).
- Updated inspection and maintenance protocols provide clearer guidance on processes and frequency, ensuring faults are identified and addressed promptly.
- Enhanced guidance on ties, fixings, and falling object protection systems (FOPS) improves operational safety.
- Expanded content covers emergency arrangements, site supervision, and the containment of tools and materials.
- Roles and competencies are now more clearly defined, ensuring all responsible parties understand their obligations.
These changes strengthen the standard, making it more robust and aligned with current industry needs and best practices.