Choosing the right working at height equipment

Whenever you need to undertake work at height, and have already assessed the risks, one of the things you need to consider is which equipment will be the most appropriate for the task.

TYPES OF EQUIPMENT

Ladders

Using a ladder for work at height is only appropriate in some scenarios, when the work will take less than 30 minutes, three points of contact can be maintained at all times, and there is no need to carry tools or equipment.

Ladders can be moved easily, which is both a benefit and a risk, and are useful in some limited situations.

Scaffold Towers

Quick to erect, scaffold towers can be moved into place and secured. They provide vertical access, usually at a fixed height once erected, with a steady platform and protective guardrails. They can reach heights of between 2m and over 12m.

Powered Access – Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts provide a level work platform that can be raised for a work height of 7m to over 18m. They provide a vertical lift only, and can be found in bothe Diesel and Electric varieties – electric being more appropriate for use in an indoor working environment. They come in a variety of widths, allowing for narrower workspaces.

Powered Access – Boom Lifts

Boom lifts provide both vertical and horizontal movement, allowing for a wider range of access, and come in telescopic and articulated varieties. Ideal for reaching up and over obstacles and machinery, boom lifts also have diesel and electric options. With a work height of around 10m-30m, different lifts have different weight capacities and cage sizes, so there are plenty of options for selecting the right access for your job.

SELECTING THE RIGHT EQUIPMENT

There are multiple factors that affect which type of equipment is most appropriate for your task, including:

• The height of the job
• How much equipment will be in use
• Whether there is level ground at the work site
• Whether there are any obstructions
• The available space
• What training is required/completed

Height

The height of the job will have the biggest impact on your initial decision – different types of access equipment can reach different heights, so there’s no use choosing something that won’t safely reach.

How much equipment will be in use

If the work includes the use of tools, the choice of access equipment should take this into account. Wherever possible, you should choose something that allows for all of the tools to be on the platform at the same time, saving having to travel up and down more often than necessary. Towers and Scissor Lifts generally have larger platforms. Any platform should be large enough (and rated for enough weight) for the tools not to cause any obstruction to the worker.

Level ground

The condition of the ground might affect what you are able to use for the work – a scaffold tower shouldn’t be installed on a slope or on uneven ground, for example. On the other hand, fragile ground may not be up to the weight of powered access systems.

Overhead obstructions

If you need your equipment to manoeuvre over or around an obstacle, a boom lift is likely to be the best option. Conversely, if there are overhead obstructions, such as overhangs, steelwork, or power lines, a boom may not be suitable due to the increased risk. You should take a 360 degree view of the work site to assess all angles before choosing your access.

The available space

The amount of space available at the worksite may affect the type of equipment that is most suitable. In addition to factors like the ground and how much room there is to set up the equipment, you also need to consider getting the equipment to the site – are there doorways to get through? Any narrow streets?

What training is required

To use towers or powered access, workers need to have completed either PASMA or IPAF training to safely use the equipment. If your workers have completed one but not the other, this may be a factor.

WEIGHING THE OPTIONS

Although there are a variety of factors that may affect which equipment you would choose for a task, ultimately the main decision is whether or not that equipment is suitable and safe. These factors need to be considered, but Working at Height legislation, Health and Safety, and other workplace regulations all come into play too.