ACCESS EQUIPMENT

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Access equipment such as step ladders, ladders, cherry pickers and mobile elevating work platforms are designed to be portable. Portable access equipment has a wide range of uses. It can be used both during the construction and maintenance of a building. Scaffolding, on the other hand, is designed as a semi- permanent structure and is generally used during the construction of a building.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Ladders are the most basic form of access equipment. Ladders should always be tied off before use so that the ladder cannot move. The top of the ladder should extend at least 1 metre above the area that it serves. The condition of ladders should be checked before use. Do not stretch outwards when using a ladder. Always move the ladder to the position required, rather than stretching to reach something. Stretching can make the ladder unstable, and could result in an accident.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Step ladders provide a stable base to work from. Never stand on the top step of a stepladder as this can make it unstable.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Portable work platforms can also provide a stable work platform at relatively low heights.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Safety features, including wheel brakes and locking gates should always be used.

This forms a lightweight, stable platform which is built on site. ACCESS EQUIPMENT Where access to larger heights is needed, tower scaffold can be used. This forms a lightweight, stable platform which is built on site. Tower scaffold can be portable, and fitted with wheels so that it can be moved into the required position.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Wheeled access towers could be inappropriate in some areas, such as on stairs (shown left.) In this case, the wheels are removed and the platform is built on base plates known as sole plates.

Scaffolding structures can be very complicated. ACCESS EQUIPMENT Scaffold erection is a specialist task that has to be carried out by trained operatives and certificated operatives. Scaffolding structures can be very complicated.

They can also be relatively simple. ACCESS EQUIPMENT They can also be relatively simple.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Scaffolding can be used to form working platforms, shown left, and stairs, shown right.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Above – scaffolding being built.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Scaffolding can be built externally, or internally as shown on the following slide.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Vertical planks are fitted to the sides of scaffolding. These are called toe boards and reduce the risk of items falling off the side of the scaffold.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Handrails are . Two full height safety rails are fitted to each tier, or lift, of scaffolding. This is a statutory requirement

ACCESS EQUIPMENT Mobile platforms can either be of the straight vertical lift variety, as shown above. These must only be operated by trained personnel.

ACCESS EQUIPMENT ‘Cherry pickers’ provide access from a personnel basket which is fixed to the end of a boom. These machines can move through 360º, fold down almost flat and are delivered by low-loader. They operate with diesel engines, which drive electro-hydraulic pumps to raise and lower the basket.