WAIT Toolkit
If you don't work at height very often or are unsure about which type of access equipment to use, it is important that you assess the risks and select the right equipment for the job. The following table will provide you with some possible solutions.
It provides you with details of some of the most common types of access equipment. There are of course, also many other types of access equipment available.
| Height of planned task | work duration | time between eqpt movements | access width reqd | work activity | freestanding | item |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| high/low level | long/short | long only | narrow/wide | heavy/medium/light | no | Fixed scaffold |
| high/low level | long/short | long/short | narrow/wide | medium/light | yes | Mobile scaffold |
| high/low level | long/short | long/short | wide only | medium/light | yes | MEWP scissor multi user |
| high/low level | long/short | long/short | narrow/wide | medium/light | yes | MEWP scissor single user |
| high/low level | long/short | long/short | wide only | medium/light | yes | MEWP boom multi user |
| high/low level | long/short | long/short | wide only | medium/light | yes | MEWP boom single user |
| low level | short only | long/short | narrow/wide | light only | yes | Podium steps |
| low level | short only | long/short | narrow/wide | light only | no | Leaning ladder |
| low level | short only | long/short | narrow/wide | light only | yes | Step ladder |
| low level | long/short | long only | narrow/wide | medium/light | yes | Trestle |
| low level | short only | long/short | narrow/wide | light only | yes | Hop up |
Results
The table does not specifically deal with horizontal reach. However equipment such as certain types of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) will provide horizontal reach. You should always refer to the manufacturers information for more details.
| Definitions | Approximately... | |
|---|---|---|
| Is access to the job restricted? | Yes | equipment requires larger width than a standard doorway |
| No | equipment will fit through a standard doorway | |
| Work activity | Light | cleaning windows, replacing light bulbs, painting/decorating, inspection |
| Medium | replacing roof tiles, or a small pane of glass or light building works | |
| Heavy | building, replacement of heavy machine parts |