One of the most important factors to consider when you are working from height is choosing the most appropriate access equipment. As there are several options available, today we are going to give you some guidance you need on choosing the right access hire product for the job.
Before you decide whether to work at any height, firstly consider the health and safety requirements. Make sure the risks are properly assessed and controlled, ensure the people managing the job are competent and, crucially, choose the right access equipment for the task and environment. The Health and Safety Executive have an excellent page of frequently asked questions for you to look at here.
WHAT TYPE OF ACCESS EQUIPMENT SHOULD I CHOOSE?
The factors to consider when you are choosing the right access equipment are:
WHAT HEIGHT WILL YOU BE WORKING AT?
This is the most important factor to consider, some access equipment only has a limited height range, so you should only choose equipment that will safely reach the height.
For example, electric scissor lifts will allow you to reach between 6.5 and 14 meters. Whereas the telescopic boom lifts will enable you to access heights of 56 meters.
When choosing the right access equipment for the job, you should be accurately measuring the height you need to reach.
WILL YOU BE USING TOOLS OR MOVING EQUIPMENT?
The choice of access equipment should always take into account if you will be using and moving tools.
If possible, you should always choose equipment that will let you put all of the tools required on the platform at the same time, reducing the amount of time you will have saving having to travel up and down.
Towers and Scissor Lifts generally have larger platforms than cherry pickers and the platform should be able to accommodate the necessary weight and not let any tools cause any obstruction when you are working.
WILL THE GROUND BE LEVEL?
The condition or state of the ground you are working on will affect what type of access equipment you will choose.
For example, scissor lifts have four wheels and are great for manoeuvring into positions, but they might not be suitable for uneven ground. For this scenario, choose access equipment that has stabilising legs or outriggers.
ARE THERE ANY OBSTRUCTIONS?
If your work will require your access equipment to move over or around an obstacle, a boom lift or cherry picker will most likely be the best option to choose.
However, if there are any overhead obstructions, for example, steelwork, power cables, trees, a boom lift would not be the best option because of the increased risk.
Before working you should always carry out a risk assessment of the area before choosing your access equipment.
HOW MUCH SPACE IS AVAILABLE TO WORK?
The amount of space you will be working on will be an important factor when deciding on the most suitable access equipment. Also, it is important to consider how much room there will be to set up the equipment.
Will you be working in a public area? Will there be enough room to get the equipment to your area? Are there any small paths or narrow doorways?
Choose a piece of access equipment that has dimensions that are suitable for your site. A competent person will be able to help you decide on this.
CONTACT US FOR HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT ACCESS EQUIPMENT
Here at ALTIDA, we pride ourselves on having a great range of access equipment for hire to suit all needs.
We mainly hire Genie products; the world’s market-leader of a lifting-equipment manufacturer, which underpins our ethos and reliability as a business. We are committed to providing you with the very best-of-the-best.
We also provide customers with a variety of different brands for access equipment to ensure that the most informed choice possible is made. These brands are powered by diesel, electric or bio fuel, which only adds to our broad range.
What’s more, we can supply you with a competent person who can risk assess your site, advise on the most appropriate access equipment hire for the task, provide all the necessary paperwork, and manage the job.
We have worked hard over the years to garner a respected reputation, not only for access hire, but also for every other service we provide. Our professional and experienced team will be delighted to help you when looking for a quote or further information. Why not get in touch with us for a free site survey?
Send us an email on sales@altida.co.uk, fill in the contact form here or give us a call on 01246 261915. Our hire desk staff will be more than happy to help you.