Manbox elevation

A manbox (also known as a work box) must only be used where it is necessary to elevate workers to perform minor work of a short duration and only when it is impractical to use scaffolding or other plant.

The manbox is not to be used as an alternative to a properly designed system . Work using a manbox can only be undertaken in combination with a safe work method statement (SWMS) and after completing a comprehensive risk assessment. The assessment must show that this type of access is safer than all other alternatives and establish the structural adequacy of the landing area.

Operation of a manbox and crane must be in accordance with the Scaffolding and Lifts ACT 1912 and the Work Health and Safety Act 2011.

When it is determined that a worker will be suspended in a manbox from a crane for minor work of a short duration, the PCBU must ensure that:

  • a SWMS is prepared by a competent person prior to all work being undertaken
  • the manbox and lifting attachments have been inspected by a competent person (for example a licenced dogman or rigger)prior to use, and deemed safe to use for the tasks outlined in the SWMS
  • the clear structural adequacy of the landing area has been established, the landing area is clear, and an appropriate work procedure has been developed and implemented for the operation
  • all persons involved in the operation have been appropriately trained and are familiar with the SWMS
  • a competent person (for example a licensed dogman or rigger) is to be within the manbox at all times whilst the manbox is suspended
  • personnel and materials are, and remain, securely within the manbox
  • the crane is not to be used to simultaneously raise, lower or suspend any other load while the manbox is suspended from it
  • the crane operator remains at the controls of the crane
  • all movements of the crane are carried out under power, and free-fall lockout has been applied where applicable
  • effective means of communication between any person in the manbox and the operator has been established
  • mobile cranes do not travel while people are in the manbox
  • movements of the manbox are at slow speed with minimum acceleration and deceleration
  • the manbox is not to be secured tethered to any structure whilst the manbox is suspended
  • the manbox is not used in winds of more than 25km/h, electrical storms, snow, ice, sleet or other weather conditions that could affect the safety of workers
  • minimum quantities of flammable liquids, oxygen and acetylene cylinders and similar, are correctly secured and housed, where available, in a separate compartment from the workers, and a suitable fire extinguisher is also carried
  • workers in the manbox are wearing a general-purpose fall arrest harness complying with AS/NZS 1891.1 with the lanyard or lanyard assembly attached to the safety harness anchorage points
  • workers only enter or leave the elevated manbox in an emergency or where risk analysis shows that this access is safer than all other alternative means
  • the maximum gap between the manbox and a landing at the edge of a structure must not exceed 100mm and access must not take place until the manbox is secured at a suitable point and all worker’s fall arrest systems are anchored on the structure, and
  • the manbox is not used as transportation for workers, bulk materials or removal of debris or scrap.

More information:

Crane-lifted work boxes Information sheet

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