Access Gondola Safety

Access gondolas are permanent or temporary suspended platforms used for building facade maintenance and construction.
Gondolas travel vertically on wire ropes attached to roof-mounted davit arms or parapet-mounted beams.
Workers in gondolas are exposed to fall hazards, wind loading, and entrapment between the platform and the building.
All gondola systems must comply with BS EN 1808 and require LOLER thorough examination before use.
An independent safety line with an inertia reel must protect each occupant in addition to the main suspension.
Roof anchors and davit bases must be structurally verified for the combined load of the gondola and occupants.
Wind is the primary environmental hazard — gondolas swing and can impact the building facade in gusty conditions.
Rescue from a stranded or malfunctioning gondola at height requires a pre-planned and rehearsed procedure.
Only trained and competent operators should operate gondola controls including raise, lower, and tilt functions.
Overloading with tools, materials, and personnel beyond the rated capacity causes wire rope failure.

Prevent fatal falls	Gondola suspension failure or overloading drops the platform and occupants from height — independent safety lines are critical.
Structural anchors	Inadequate roof fixings cause davit arm failure, detaching the entire gondola system from the building.
Rescue requirement	A stranded gondola at height with an incapacitated worker requires immediate rescue capability.

Do

Don't

Ensure the gondola has a current LOLER thorough examination certificate before each use
Verify roof anchors and davit bases are structurally certified for the required loading
Wear a full body harness connected to an independent safety line with inertia reel
Check wire ropes for corrosion, broken strands, and kinking during the daily pre-use check
Monitor wind speed and stop operations when gusting exceeds the safe working limit
Brief all occupants on the rescue plan before ascending in the gondola each shift
Display the safe working load clearly and never exceed it with personnel and materials
Test emergency descent and communication systems before the start of each working day
Maintain clear communication between gondola occupants and a ground-level attendant
Report any unusual vibration, noise, or movement from the suspension system immediately

DON'T use a gondola without confirming a current LOLER thorough examination is in place
DON'T operate without an independent safety line attached to each occupant's harness
DON'T overload the gondola beyond the rated safe working load with people or materials
DON'T operate in high winds or when the platform is swinging against the building
DON'T use wire ropes with visible corrosion, broken strands, or deformation
DON'T allow untrained operators to control the gondola raise, lower, or tilt functions
DON'T lean over the gondola edge to reach the building face beyond arm's length
DON'T leave the gondola unattended at height with tools or materials left on board
DON'T bypass safety limit switches or override emergency stop functions on the system
DON'T ascend without confirming the rescue plan and emergency descent procedure are ready

See also: Suspended Access Platform Safety | Rope Access Safety

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Toolbox Talk Record