Rope-Suspended Platform Safety in High-Rise Building Operations

Abstract

Rope-suspended platforms (RSPs), commonly known as gondolas or cradle platforms, are widely used for external high-rise construction, maintenance, cleaning, renovation, painting, curtain-wall and façade-related activities. They provide flexible access to elevated work areas but introduce significant mechanical, operational, human and environmental hazards. This study evaluates RSP safety through a field-based inspection of a high-rise construction and refurbishment project, supported by document verification, hazard identification, risk assessment and review of the site’s safety arrangements. The source project report describes a site of approximately 5 million ft², with 10-floor buildings under construction/refurbishment, one working shift, and approximately 500 workers reported during the inspection period. The principal RSP hazards identified included inadequate fall protection, overloading, improper anchorage, improper rope use, high winds, proximity to power lines, equipment malfunction, inadequate maintenance, operator error or lack of training, inadequate rescue planning, and access/egress hazards. Nine specific field observations were recorded at F Block, including unsafe modification and use of the RSP, operation by an untrained person, missing or ineffective safety controls, damaged counterweights, lack of fall-arrest provision and inadequate barricading. The study recommends competent operation, interlocked counterweights, effective fall protection, barricading, emergency equipment, limit-stopper provision, inspection and maintenance, and structured training. The report also identifies the need for continuous monitoring, communication, emergency preparedness and management oversight. Requested publication sections concerning six study sites, survey datasets, accident-report statistics and quantitative statistical testing are not supported by the supplied source document; therefore, these sections are presented as structured research templates rather than fabricated results.