A work platform is a piece of equipment designed to provide temporary access to difficult-to-reach areas. They are usually used for jobs that involve working at heights, including building maintenance, painting, window cleaning, general fit-out, and repairs. They are a safe alternative to ladders, stepladders, trestles and scaffolding. They should only be used for light, short duration work where the risk of falling is low. If a worker falls from a work platform, serious injury can occur.
A mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) is a mechanical device that can be driven on the ground and raised to provide access for people or machinery to inaccessible areas, often at height. It is also known as an aerial device, cherry picker, bucket lift, or mechanized access platform. There are many different types of MEWPs, and each type has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the job at hand.
Work platforms are typically manufactured from durable, corrosive resistant materials and can be customised for specific applications. In general, they should be fitted with handrails and other safety features to meet Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) standards. They should be equipped with locking mechanisms to prevent unauthorised use, and they should have smooth surfaces to minimise slips and trips.
If a worker is going to be using a work platform in a dangerous or high-risk area, they should be properly trained to understand the risks involved and how to minimise them. They should also be wearing appropriate PPE such as harnesses and lanyards attached to the work platform to ensure that they are protected from falling objects, falls from a height, or other hazards.
In many cases, workers can be trained to use a MEWP by following an industry-approved training course and working under the supervision of a competent person. MEWPs should be inspected on a regular basis, and they must be checked before each use to ensure that they are in good condition.
The best way to reduce the risk of injuries when working on a MEWP is to follow strict operating procedures. This includes checking the equipment before each use to make sure it is in good condition and that the occupants have the skills and knowledge to safely operate it. In addition, the operator should wear a harness and lanyard attachment points to tie off to a fall protection system and to prevent falls from a MEWP.
A suspended work platform is a height access system that is used to carry out tasks at heights in a variety of industries such as the energy, construction and food warehouses. These systems offer a safe and cost-effective solution to ladders, stepsladders and trestles and they can be easily moved around a site by crane or forklift.
A bespoke work platform can be designed for any project and is available in a range of finishes, from ATEX to Hygienic Design, and it is fully compatible with a wide range of harnesses and lanyards. In addition, a MEWP can be fitted with additional accessories to allow for work at heights such as lighting, tools and power supplies. Piattaforma lavoro