Access platforms come in a variety of different types and witty, but all have the same thing in common, the ability to pull people to safety and team work at height.
Access platforms are used in a broad spectrum of industries, from the stores of retail outlets, construction firms maintaining the site and many others too numerous to list here. Basically, anyone who needs to work at heights can benefit from using an access platform, either a scissor lift or a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform), or even articulated. This little piece, I hope to help those who are new to the purchase of access equipment to make informed decisions.
When you start looking at buying a piece of access equipment, there are several questions you should ask before approaching individuals for appointments so that you understand your own needs before a sales department you begin to hunger the pressure to buy their machines.
The questions below, I hope to help you in your quest for access platform on the right.
1. Is there a better way to accomplish this task?
This is an important question and should look at seriously, your goal, I hope, is to make working at height as safe as possible for you and / or its employees, the only way to do this is to look at all options. Make a complete site survey and assessment of risk will be very valuable at this time.
2. How high is needed to complete my task?
Sounds silly, but often I hear "Just tell me what I need!" when I start asking questions. Knowing precisely the height of what is going to work is important in terms of cost of the machine you buy and the size, weight, etc. Overall, a big jump in cost, size and weight once you get the height a 10-meter platform.
3. Do I need to get over obstacles or equipment?
This question will help decide the type of machine to be analyzed, because if you need to reach more things, then you should look at best a crane does not get a scissor lift. If you need more than 1 m range then go with a boom lift, which will save tears later when you realize that was wrong because the machine as the last question, the amount of extension that needs can greatly affect the cost of buying an access platform, or not at all.
4. Does the machine is used indoors and outdoors?
This can make a big difference in the type of power supply of your machine will run. You can buy a scissor lift or crane that escapes both batteries and out of diesel / gasoline engines. If your work in sensitive areas as a food factory that could be vital because of the rules governing this type of environment or you may find that you need to travel a distance if you are out and here is where you have the engine power can be really useful. It is also useful if you have hills or rough terrain to cover.
5. How am I going to carry this machine and when I save it?
Sometimes we look a little more than small details such as storage and transportation, we all do now and again. But I will not do that on this occasion, it could mean you buy a machine that can not be used. Work out where you want to save, and then measure the space you have and measure any manner the entry of the machine has to go. Write these measurements and write a reminder to ask how heavy any machine offered.
6. How much can I spend?
Yes, I know, as little as possible, but please have a realistic budget in mind and be open about your budget when it comes to potential suppliers. We're more in the eighties, where sales people who ask that question and then price to that amount, it really did not do so because, in most cases. This question also helps to think about what the cost-benefit to your company will be, for example, Vs acquisition cost. long term / contract hire and increase productivity and ability to take on more work. The budget you have to purchase an access platform determines things like age of the machine will be able to obtain and under what conditions it is "as is" or repaired and tested service and maybe if you have the budget are you can buy a new machine.
7. Can I get after sales support of the same company where I bought my machine?
This is an important issue when you have some access equipment that are legally obliged to have it checked every 6 months under the working at height regulations. You have already spent considerable time researching what you need, why spend more time looking for another company to test your machine. A reputed firm have its own good engineers that can attend breakdowns and carry out LOLER inspections, these inspections are a legal requirement in UK.
Access platforms are used in a broad spectrum of industries, from the stores of retail outlets, construction firms maintaining the site and many others too numerous to list here. Basically, anyone who needs to work at heights can benefit from using an access platform, either a scissor lift or a MEWP (Mobile Elevated Work Platform), or even articulated. This little piece, I hope to help those who are new to the purchase of access equipment to make informed decisions.
When you start looking at buying a piece of access equipment, there are several questions you should ask before approaching individuals for appointments so that you understand your own needs before a sales department you begin to hunger the pressure to buy their machines.
The questions below, I hope to help you in your quest for access platform on the right.
1. Is there a better way to accomplish this task?
This is an important question and should look at seriously, your goal, I hope, is to make working at height as safe as possible for you and / or its employees, the only way to do this is to look at all options. Make a complete site survey and assessment of risk will be very valuable at this time.
2. How high is needed to complete my task?
Sounds silly, but often I hear "Just tell me what I need!" when I start asking questions. Knowing precisely the height of what is going to work is important in terms of cost of the machine you buy and the size, weight, etc. Overall, a big jump in cost, size and weight once you get the height a 10-meter platform.
3. Do I need to get over obstacles or equipment?
This question will help decide the type of machine to be analyzed, because if you need to reach more things, then you should look at best a crane does not get a scissor lift. If you need more than 1 m range then go with a boom lift, which will save tears later when you realize that was wrong because the machine as the last question, the amount of extension that needs can greatly affect the cost of buying an access platform, or not at all.
4. Does the machine is used indoors and outdoors?
This can make a big difference in the type of power supply of your machine will run. You can buy a scissor lift or crane that escapes both batteries and out of diesel / gasoline engines. If your work in sensitive areas as a food factory that could be vital because of the rules governing this type of environment or you may find that you need to travel a distance if you are out and here is where you have the engine power can be really useful. It is also useful if you have hills or rough terrain to cover.
5. How am I going to carry this machine and when I save it?
Sometimes we look a little more than small details such as storage and transportation, we all do now and again. But I will not do that on this occasion, it could mean you buy a machine that can not be used. Work out where you want to save, and then measure the space you have and measure any manner the entry of the machine has to go. Write these measurements and write a reminder to ask how heavy any machine offered.
6. How much can I spend?
Yes, I know, as little as possible, but please have a realistic budget in mind and be open about your budget when it comes to potential suppliers. We're more in the eighties, where sales people who ask that question and then price to that amount, it really did not do so because, in most cases. This question also helps to think about what the cost-benefit to your company will be, for example, Vs acquisition cost. long term / contract hire and increase productivity and ability to take on more work. The budget you have to purchase an access platform determines things like age of the machine will be able to obtain and under what conditions it is "as is" or repaired and tested service and maybe if you have the budget are you can buy a new machine.
7. Can I get after sales support of the same company where I bought my machine?
This is an important issue when you have some access equipment that are legally obliged to have it checked every 6 months under the working at height regulations. You have already spent considerable time researching what you need, why spend more time looking for another company to test your machine. A reputed firm have its own good engineers that can attend breakdowns and carry out LOLER inspections, these inspections are a legal requirement in UK.
The safety regulations are incredibly tight around this bit of kit. I just attained my IPAF certification from promaxaccess.com and i'm still having trouble finding work at height. Get a good consultant before purchasing, their advice can be invaluable provided they aren't standing to gain anything from the sale of a particular product.
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