The Different Types of Work at Height Access Equipment
Anytime workers carry out complex operations at high levels and in unreachable spaces, it is vital to use sturdy and safe equipment to prevent site injuries and fatalities. However, selecting a suitable type of equipment is not enough to guarantee a successful, risk-free operation.
Singapore’s General Provisions government agency website states that a person must undergo “adequate safety and health training to familiarise himself with the hazards associated with work at height and the precautions to be observed” before using specific equipment.
Below is a list of the various types of work at height access equipment used by competent personnel in multiple buildings to conduct safe work at heights. But before delving into them, let us first discuss why they are vital in the construction sector.
Below is a list of the various types of work at height access equipment used by competent personnel in multiple buildings to conduct safe work at heights. But before delving into them, let us first discuss why they are vital in the construction sector.
Work at Height Access Equipment: Why Do We Need It?
Construction is one of the most dangerous sectors, and falls are a leading cause of construction deaths. As a result, the work at height equipment market is continuously improving ladders, scaffolds, and other construction gear’s performance to reduce accidents, slips, and falls. In addition, there is a higher demand for construction materials from businesses.
Good work at height access equipment will reduce costs associated with wrongful death lawsuits and penalties for not adhering to safety equipment regulations.
Good work at height access equipment will reduce costs associated with wrongful death lawsuits and penalties for not adhering to safety equipment regulations.
What Should an Employer Do Before Any Work at Height Is Conducted?
- Thoroughly organise and plan all work at height needed;
- Carry out a risk assessment by examining potential hazards associated with work at height;
- Select and inspect appropriate and reliable equipment;
- Implement a fall prevention plan;
- Ensure that the selected workers are competent and highly trained; and
- Mitigate risks from fragile surfaces.
Types of Work at Height Access Equipment
Work at height access equipment must be understood by workers to ensure safety and accelerate work completion. To reiterate, no matter the height required for a job, a competent individual should be trained and highly experienced in using each gear. Moreover, equipment inspection and site risk assessment are essential before use.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the work at height access equipment used to clean, maintain, and fix exteriors and roofing properties of industrial and commercial establishments:
Here’s a comprehensive guide to the work at height access equipment used to clean, maintain, and fix exteriors and roofing properties of industrial and commercial establishments:
1. Ladders and stepladders
Ladders and step ladders can be moved easily and are generally used for limited, appropriate operations. They are used for tasks that will not exceed 30 minutes and when the worker doesn’t need to carry other tools.
For safety precautions, check the ladder components before using it, including:
For safety precautions, check the ladder components before using it, including:
- Treads
- Platform
- Rungs
- Feet
- Stiles
- Lock mechanism
2. Trestles and staging
Trestles and staging are working platforms used for height work that are excellent alternatives when you can't use ladders. Scaffold boards or staging boards usually make up this type of equipment.
They provide more access to the workplace than ladders but are also meant for short duration of light work. Trestle platforms can be fully guarded depending on how lightly workers use them.
They provide more access to the workplace than ladders but are also meant for short duration of light work. Trestle platforms can be fully guarded depending on how lightly workers use them.
3. Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPs)
Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPs), also called “lifting machines,” come in various types, such as scissor lifts, boom lifts, cherry pickers, lifting platforms, and spider lifts. They can travel vertically (scissor lift), perform both vertical and horizontal lifts (boom lift), or incorporate a work platform (cherry picker) to access various positions.
By definition, elevated devices raise materials or personnel to the desired height, acting as a safe means to perform high-level work while enabling a wider range of access.
It is recommended that competent personnel examine all parts and gear of the machine at least once every year.
By definition, elevated devices raise materials or personnel to the desired height, acting as a safe means to perform high-level work while enabling a wider range of access.
It is recommended that competent personnel examine all parts and gear of the machine at least once every year.
4. Fixed scaffolding
Fixed scaffolding, another fall prevention equipment, is composed of connected metal tubes and wooden boards. It comes in various types, heavily dependent upon the structure being worked on and the height of the work. This is mainly used in building works, maintenance, rectification, and demolition, with task completion lasting for an extended period.
Qualified personnel must also have a construction site scaffold use checklist to ensure that the equipment complies with regulatory requirements. A scaffold must have a sound structure and be properly erected to serve its purpose.
Furthermore, a qualified person must check the scaffolding for missing parts; when overlooked, the scaffold will be ineffective.
Qualified personnel must also have a construction site scaffold use checklist to ensure that the equipment complies with regulatory requirements. A scaffold must have a sound structure and be properly erected to serve its purpose.
Furthermore, a qualified person must check the scaffolding for missing parts; when overlooked, the scaffold will be ineffective.
5. Tower scaffolds
Generally, construction workers use tower scaffolds whenever there is no structure to attach them to. However, depending on the use, they can be tied to a frame should the need arise. Like fixed scaffolding, they prevent falls and act as guard rails when built.
They also come in various shapes and sizes and are primarily used in construction, maintenance, and engineering. The maximum height at which tower scaffolds can be erected is 12 metres.
To avoid tower scaffolds from collapsing or overturning, they must be correctly installed, not overloaded, and the parts must be intact. To assemble the scaffolds properly, competent personnel must inspect and ensure ideal ground conditions and terrain.
They also come in various shapes and sizes and are primarily used in construction, maintenance, and engineering. The maximum height at which tower scaffolds can be erected is 12 metres.
To avoid tower scaffolds from collapsing or overturning, they must be correctly installed, not overloaded, and the parts must be intact. To assemble the scaffolds properly, competent personnel must inspect and ensure ideal ground conditions and terrain.
Wrapping Up
Undertaking work at height can be dangerous, so selecting the appropriate work at height access equipment is vital for every worker. To reduce falling accidents, site injuries, and worker death, the proper use of equipment will also depend on the following factors:
- Workspace location
- Establishment size
- Duration of the work required
- Equipment components
- Worker's competence, knowledge, and experience
To avoid paying hefty sums for potential lawsuit fees and other fines, employers must create a risk assessment to reduce the occurrence of incidents on the job site. Most importantly, you should also conduct in-depth research into possible manufacturers before you hire them for any of the following requirements:
- Waterproofing
- External façade maintenance
- Corrosion treatment
- Steel painting
- Electrical troubleshooting
- Banner and signage installation, removal, or replacement
High X Cess Solutions
If you are looking for a company with specialised knowledge of various work at height access equipment styles and complete knowledge of safety procedures, turn to High X Cess Solutions.
We can offer you a wide range of prompt services for building inspections, spray coating, external façade treatments and emergency rescue, whether for commercial buildings, condominiums, or private properties.
Get in touch with our qualified staff if you are in Singapore at +65 9339 1419 or Malaysia at +60 13 410 5778. Reach out to us now, and let us take care of your building's exteriors with professionalism and efficiency.
We can offer you a wide range of prompt services for building inspections, spray coating, external façade treatments and emergency rescue, whether for commercial buildings, condominiums, or private properties.
Get in touch with our qualified staff if you are in Singapore at +65 9339 1419 or Malaysia at +60 13 410 5778. Reach out to us now, and let us take care of your building's exteriors with professionalism and efficiency.