Powered access firm says WAHR create boom for smaller units
February 1st 2007

Austin Baker, a director at AFI-Uplift,one of the UK's fastest-growing powered access rental companies, considers the impact of the Work at Height Regulations for employers and employees involved in window cleaning With the new Work at Height Regulations now beginning to bite, contractors can no longer just reach for the nearest set of ladders or steps to clean windows – they must now carry out risk assessments and consider whether an alternative form of access would be safer.

Let's make one thing clear – the regulations do NOT ban ladders, but they do oblige you to ensure that ladders are not an automatic choice and that alternatives should always be considered.

The choice of access equipment will be determined by the height to be negotiated, the site conditions, the duration and extent of work, and the frequency of required access.The Health and Safety Executive's own guidelines on window cleaning state: For some jobs, a mobile elevating work platform will be the best option.However, for many jobs, especially on domestic and small commercial buildings, risk assessment will demonstrate that because of the short duration of the work and features on the building that cannot be altered, ladders are the only realistic option.Control measures will then be required to reduce the risk from their use in accordance with current legal requirements.

In all cases, a judgment has to be made on the appropriate form of access. For example, on a single job in a location where the great majority of windows can be cleaned in reasonable safety from a ladder, the cost of providing a mobile elevating work platform may be disproportionate to the slightly higher risk of using a longer ladder for a small number of windows.

Where a risk assessment highlights the need for a powered access platform, hirers will find them to be quick, convenient to use and easily manoeuvrable – increasing productivity for businesses.

For example, a powered access machine was used to clean the Liverpool Daily Post & Echo's innovative landmark building which is constructed in highly-reflective glass.

PG Ashcroft (Window Cleaning & Maintenance Services) hired the AFI-Uplift boom lift over three days to help their operatives give the whole exterior of the newspaper's offices a thorough wash and clean.

The 16m boom was used to its full capacity to clean the cylindrical glass building. PG Ashcroft not only took advantage of the boom's full height, but also made use of its 9.2m outreach to provide quick, easy and safe access.

The Work at Height regulations bring together all existing work at height regulations and state the minimum requirements for the use of equipment. Although previous regulations applied primarily to work over two metres, the new regulations even cover standing on the bottom rung of a small step ladder! Employers have a duty of care to ensure that work at height is properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner.All employers, the self-employed and any other person who controls the work of others should be fully up to date with the new legislation.This includes site managers, contract managers, contractors, and even the building owner who contracts others to work at height.

The increased emphasis on carrying out risk assessments and considering whether an alternative form of access would be safer is leading to an increased demand for smaller powered access machines.They are small enough to get into the tightest of spaces and at the same time provide greater speed and versatility.

For example, if you are cleaning a large number of windows inside commercial premises, a machine such as the ultra-small 'Pop Up' represents a very cost-effective solution to meet the health and safety requirements for low level access work.The Pop Up can be easily pushed around and operated by one person and will also fit into a lift.

To meet this increasing demand for small powered access machines, AFI-Uplift is investing substantially in Pop Up machines and also in models such as the Genie IWP20, and the Haulotte Star 6 and 10.

More articles from AFI Aerial Platforms Ltd.: