Case Study

With the amendment of the Work at Height Regulations in 2007, it was necessary for many jobs that may have previously been carried out with the use of ladders to be completed by other means.

"Did you know..." In 2005/06 falls from height accounted for 46 fatal accidents at work and around 3350 major injuries. They remain the single biggest cause of workplace deaths and one of the main causes of major injury.

The Difficulties

With the amended legislation in mind, many existing jobs became problematic due to the tight access restrictions. Some examples of these are; street lighting in pedestrian areas, parks, narrow roads and footways where standard hydraulic platforms are too big for accessibility and too heavy for the ground conditions.

Our Solution

Warren Access suggested the use of one of the smallest hydraulic platforms in our fleet. This is an ultra-compact platform with an impressive working height of 8.75mtrs, and a horizontal outreach of 4.1mtrs, with a one-man bucket. It is very easy to operate and manoeuvre, and is the perfect solution for work of this nature. The council were offered the machine on a trial basis to ensure it would resolve these problematic jobs. This proved to be a satisfactory resolution and the machine remains on hire with them.

Client Testimonial

Warren Access were very quick with coming up with a solution to the footway lighting problem. We were given the vehicle on trial for a short period to ensure it was suitable for our needs and then took it on permanent hire.

The vehicle has allowed us to work on lighting columns which we have never been able to get access to before without hiring in portable scaffolding. It cuts down dramatically on the time it takes to repair a fault.

We can also use the vehicle in alleyways where we have previously had to use step ladders to get access to ceiling mounted lighting units. This winter, the vehicle was also used on Festive Lighting works allowing us access to walls to carry out preparatory works.

Michael Coates, a Chargehand for Northumberland County Council and a driver of this vehicle has said, it makes my job so much easier to be able to drive the specialist vehicle down a footway to get to a faulty lighting unit rather than carrying ladders for hundreds of metres to and from the column along with tools and spare parts. It is also ideal for carrying out cyclic works, such as Bulk Lamp Change and Cleaning works in an area where I cannot get access with my full size tower vehicle.

www.northumberland.gov.uk

“We have helped Northumberland County Council for many years with access requirements and were delighted that one of our machines could offer a solution to their somewhat troublesome jobs...”

Michelle Warren