This article asks: When do builders require access platform hire? We look at the situations where access equipment becomes essential, what to consider when choosing a platform, and how to ensure health and safety when working at height. ACS Assorted Commercial Services offer powered access hire in Daventry and Northampton. Find out more about the features of MEWPs for construction and safe working at height practices.
What To Consider When Choosing An Access Platform For Construction
Not all access equipment is designed for long-term or heavy-duty use. For short, quick tasks, ladders may be sufficient. However, if you are working at height for longer periods, equipment like a mobile access tower, trestles, or staging is more suitable.
When selecting access platforms, you should always consider:
- Height level required – Step stools and step ladders are fine for low-level tasks, but for higher work, extension ladders, scaffolding, or MEWPs are often necessary.
- Tools and materials needed – If tools must be kept close, choose access equipment that allows safe storage at height.
- Stability and safety – The platform must remain secure on-site, especially if used on uneven ground.
- Taking these factors into account ensures the right balance of efficiency, safety, and stability.
When Builders Require Access Equipment Hire
Construction work involves roof repairs, cladding, or guttering.
- Access to awkward or confined areas is needed.
- Heavy tools, materials, or products must be lifted safely.
- Work at height regulations require safer alternatives to ladders.
- Projects demand quick, mobile solutions instead of scaffolding.
In these cases, access equipment hire services provide the flexibility to get the job done safely without the cost of purchasing machinery outright.
Who Can Operate an Access Platform?
Access platforms, including scissor lifts and boom lifts, must be operated by a competent person. This means someone who has been trained and is able to demonstrate safe use of the equipment.
Employers have a duty under health and safety law to ensure operators are properly instructed. In many cases, this requires certification, such as IPAF training. A competent operator must be able to:
- Carry out pre-use checks for faults or stability issues.
- Ensure safety on-site, including checking ground conditions.
- Operate the platform in a way that reduces risk to people working nearby.
The Benefits of Using Platform Lifts in Construction
When it comes to construction work, platform lifts such as MEWPs provide several benefits:
- Efficiency – They reduce the time spent climbing ladders or setting up scaffolding.
- Safety – They are designed with guardrails and stability features to minimise risk.
- Accessibility – Self-propelled lifts can manoeuvre into tight areas on-site.
- Versatility – Suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, from electrical installation to roofing.
- Capacity – They can safely carry both people and essential tools or equipment.
Features of MEWPs for Construction
MEWPs (Mobile Elevating Work Platforms) are designed to make working at height safer and more efficient. Some key features include:
- Quick setup compared to scaffolding.
- Mobility, allowing repositioning around the site.
- Different designs such as cherry pickers, spider lifts, scissor lifts, and tracked booms.
- Stability systems like outriggers to ensure safe use on uneven ground.
- Ability to lift both people and equipment safely.
Using MEWPs helps builders comply with work at height regulations, reducing risks associated with falls and ensuring construction projects are completed safely and on time.
Safety Considerations When Working at Height
Falls from height are one of the most common causes of accidents in construction. To ensure safety when using access equipment, builders should:
- Always carry out a risk assessment before starting.
- Check stability and ground conditions before use.
- Make sure equipment is used by a trained and competent person.
- Inspect ladders, platforms, and tools before work begins.
- Use harnesses or fall protection when required.
Types of Access Platforms Available for Hire
Builders can choose from a wide range of access equipment hire options, including:
- Scissor lifts – Best for up-and-down access where horizontal reach is not required.
- Self-propelled boom lifts – Available in straight or articulated designs for flexibility.
- Spider lifts – Compact machines that can fit into restricted spaces.
- Tracked booms – Designed for soft or uneven ground conditions.
- Access towers – A lightweight, modular option for medium-height work.
When Builders Require Access Platform Hire
Builders often face challenges when working at height, and relying solely on ladders is no longer enough to ensure safe construction work. Hiring access equipment such as MEWPs, scissor lifts, and boom lifts provides builders with the right tools to carry out tasks safely, efficiently, and in line with health and safety law.
Whether it’s for roof repairs, electrical installation, or exterior cladding, access platform hire makes sure that construction projects can be completed safely, on time, and to a professional standard.
We hope you got some useful information about the benefits of powered access platforms for builders. If you require access equipment hire in Daventry and Northampton contact our specialists today.
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