Access Equipment

There are many types of access equipment that are at our disposal for accessing or working on components that are located at higher elevations. From small hop ups to tall scaffolds, access equipment allows us to safely reach and work upon areas that are above or below ground level, though typically where there is a risk of falling involved. Here we shall take a brief look at the most common types of access equipment that can be found within the construction industry, and how they can be used safely.  

Safety on ladders

Ladders are a great form of access from one level of elevation to another. They are commonly used on standard scaffolds to traverse the different lifts, as well as to gain access to roofs. Ladders come in a variety of different materials and forms of construction. The most common types of ladders are 2-part aluminium ladders, rigid stamped steel ladders, and folding steps. Ladders that are fixed in place, via scaffolding clips or a tie off, are very safe to traverse in terms of their own stability. The risk of falling off the ladder is still present, though the ladders are very unlikely to slip or move in this configuration. Ladders that are free standing, either with or without a standoff, are less stable, and do come with the risk of slipping out from under the operator or sliding laterally.  

When working on free standing ladders it’s important to follow a few safety precautions. The angle of the ladder should not be too shallow or too steep; a good angle is approximately 70 to 75 degrees in relation to the horizontal ground. This pitch presents in a ratio of approximately 4:1 also. To check this, stand with the front of your feet touching the bottom stiles of the ladder, and hold your arms out directly in front of you. A good ladder angle should mean you’re just able to grab the stiles of the ladder at arm's length. Another safety standard calls for another operative to foot the ladder, to prevent the ladder from slipping out whilst another operative is on the ladder, and to ensure that there is another person present in the event of an injury. Footing a ladder is a serious job and should be carried out with the utmost sensibility and tenacity. Ladders should only be used when pitched on stable, level ground.  

To stay safe on a ladder, ensure that the ladder is not overloaded; attempts to carry heavy or cumbersome objects up the ladder should not be made. It’s also important not to overreach when working on a ladder, as this can cause the ladder to slip laterally. Care should be taken to ensure that work is not carried out near overhead power lines. Regular checks of the ladder in accordance with the manufacturer's information should be carried out to ensure that the ladders are in proper working order before usage.

Ladder stand offs

Ladder stand offs are an attachment that will fit most ladders that enable the ladder to stand off from the wall. This allows the operative using the ladder to be in a better position to access gutters and fascia boards for maintenance or repair work. 

Hop-ups and benches

Hop-ups and benches are a very versatile form of access equipment. Whilst they come in a few different varieties, the most common type found on site is the aluminium folding benches. The working platform portion of these benches ranges anywhere from knee to upper thigh height and are extremely convenient for reaching work components at ceiling level. Small benches like this also make very comfortable work surfaces for cutting and drilling components. Planks can be placed between 2 benches to form a low-level gangway, useful for tasks such as installing solid blocking in joists from below. Benches also serve as a decent surface to place tools whilst working in localised areas; hanging doors comes to mind. Keeping a bench within proximity allows for a small portable table to rest tools, keeping the floor of the work area clear.  

Regular checks should be made to ensure that the benches are in proper working order, and that components of the benches are not damaged. 

Folding steps/Step ladders

Steps are a great resource in terms of accessibility, bridging the gap in utility between full height ladders and lower hop ups. Steps are lightweight A-frame ladders; the most practical of which for general residential applications have about 6 or 7 steps on them. They’re small enough to drag around a building, making them an excellent resource for accessibility during construction tasks. Their height allows for slightly higher operations to be carried out, and they come with great utility in their design, often with holes and hooks for convenient tool storage on the fly. There are many associated risks that come along with the use of steps, though adherence to the manufacturers health and safety guidelines allow for safe working practices.  

Scaffolds

Scaffolds are a great customizable piece of access equipment, capable of forming work platforms that can suit a number of applications. Each level of a scaffold is known as a lift, and these lifts are generally connected with fixed ladders. The lifts are placed at convenient heights for the construction of buildings, typically just lower than the joist height of each floor. This allows for optimal access to the building that is being constructed. Scaffolds are braced off buildings to ensure that they are sturdy. Scaffolds are erected from steel poles that are joined together with scaffold clips - mechanical fasteners tightened with bolts. Large scaffolds may be weighted down with containers of water to ensure they are not blown away. They may also be mechanically fastened into existing structures using bolts to provide stability.

More expensive scaffolding systems may be erected with a tin roof and waterproof netting surrounding it, to create a dry working area. There are many associated hazards with scaffolding, such as falling from height, being struck by falling objects, or low hanging poles. The risk of injury from these hazards can be mitigated using proper safe working procedures and health and safety signage. Often on larger scaffolds, typically in more public places, there are wide protrusions assembled from poles and planks projecting outwards from the first or second lift of the scaffold. These protrusions wrap around the scaffold and are angled downwards towards the scaffold. The purpose of this is to prevent items that fall from landing at the base of the scaffold, and anything that does hit them rolls back towards the scaffold. Scaffolds typically feature gates and hatches at the top of ladders to reduce the risk of falling.  

Trestles

Trestles are adjustable supports intended to receive work platforms on top of them. Multiple trestles can be set out in sequence to create a long working surface. The trestles can be adjusted for height in small increments to allow for optimal working heights. These long work platforms are very suitable for use in the assembly of soffit and fascia lines, as well as working on vaulted ceilings. There is a risk of falling associated with the use of trestles, with modern systems allowing for the use of integrated hand railings. Trestles can also be used to store materials such as cladding in an elevated position in accordance with the timber manufacturers requirements. Specialised working platforms as well as regular timber planks can be used on top of the trestles to create a stable area for working on.  

Cherry pickers/boom lifts

Cherry pickers and boom lifts are mechanical/hydraulic lifts that provide adjustable safe working platforms. From a ground mounted position, operatives can climb into a work “basket” and be lifted to the appropriate working height. Operatives within this basket should always be tied on and should always remain within the basket unless stepping out onto another solid surface. These machines are great for specific access applications where other systems are not suitable. There are many associated hazards, and the manufacturer's safety instructions must always be followed.  

Staging boards

Staging boards are engineered boards that are designed for use with trestles or other bridging applications. The boards are assembled from aluminium and other engineered materials, and provide long supports, up to around 6 metres long, that can bridge gaps and be safely worked from. These platforms are very suitable for use with trestles, as well as forming ramps for loading trucks.  

Scaffold towers

Scaffold towers are smaller, click-together varieties of scaffold that can be erected in situ to suit a variety of tasks. These towers arrive in small and compact pieces that are stacked and braced together to achieve a certain height. Special boards and railings are then fitted to ensure safe working procedures. Where possible, the scaffold tower should be tied off to ensure that it does not tip over. The manufacturer's safety information should always be followed.