Describe The Working Position
Access equipment selection begins with the task and the position the person needs to reach. Explain the work, its duration and whether materials or tools must be carried on the platform. Include obstructions that prevent the machine being placed directly below the working area.
For warehouse maintenance, a height alone can be misleading. Racking, beams, services and production equipment may affect access and create trapping risks. Provide the working height and any horizontal reach requirement, then have the proposed machine’s working envelope checked against the intended position.
Scissor Lifts And Other Powered Access
A scissor lift can suit vertical access where the surface and surrounding space are appropriate. A different type of platform may be needed when the work involves reaching over an obstruction. Tell us about the task rather than assuming the same platform used on a previous site will be suitable.
Check door widths, floor capacity, turning space and charging arrangements for indoor work. For external work, discuss the surface, gradients and exposure to weather. Machine weight and local wheel loads need attention where the route crosses covers, suspended floors or surfaces whose capacity has not been confirmed.
Work At Height Responsibilities
The Work at Height Regulations 2005 require work at height to be properly planned, supervised and carried out by competent people. The selected equipment should follow the risk assessment. See HSE’s explanation of the law for the planning duties.
Powered access also brings relevant PUWER and LOLER duties. Review examination evidence, operator training, machine familiarisation and the arrangements for rescuing a person from the platform. HSE’s MEWP guidance covers selection, ground conditions, entrapment and emergency controls. Hiring the machine does not create the site rescue plan.
Plan The Hire And Handover
Send the task, site postcode, dates and expected duration with access measurements. Explain the required working position, how the machine will reach it and whether the building remains occupied. Confirm the platform type, power arrangement and any accessories before accepting the quotation.
At delivery, check the equipment against the booking and review the handover information. The site should have competent operators and a person familiar with the emergency arrangements. Stop and reassess if the actual working position, ground condition or overhead clearance differs from the information used to select the platform.
What Determines The Hire Cost
Access hire costs depend on the equipment type, working envelope, hire duration and transport. Battery charging arrangements, fuel, cleaning and damage terms may also affect the overall package. Ask for the quotation to identify the assumptions that apply to your chosen machine.
A short maintenance task can still require a longer hire if delivery windows are restricted or work must wait for an operational shutdown. Give the actual site access hours and the planned work period. Confirm cancellation, extension and off-hire arrangements before the booking, especially where another contractor controls the programme.
Prepare The Building For Access Work
Agree how the platform will reach the work area with your Hull premises manager. Remove avoidable obstructions, identify protected floor finishes and confirm where barriers can be placed around the working area. Check how staff, visitors and other contractors will be kept clear without blocking necessary escape routes.
Send an enquiry even if you have not selected a model, provided you can describe the task and constraints. For the tools needed on the platform, review commercial tool hire in Hull and include their weight and power needs in the plan. For lifting materials separately, review telehandler hire as a distinct activity.
Common Hire Questions
Is Working Height The Same As Platform Height?
For access hire at Hull premises, distinguish the platform floor height from the stated working height. Check how the proposed manufacturer defines each figure and confirm the actual position your task requires. Include any horizontal reach and obstructions, because selecting by a height label alone can leave the platform unable to reach the work safely.
Do We Need A Rescue Plan For A Scissor Lift?
A rescue plan for scissor lift work should be prepared before the platform is used. It needs to reflect the machine, task and site, including access to emergency ground controls. Operators require suitable training and familiarisation, and someone on site must understand the agreed response if the person on the platform cannot lower it.