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Market Report: Health & Safety pt1: Work at height & manual handling Latest products: Work at height T.B. Davies reaches the top T.B. Davies (UK) Ltd has developed the Tankmaster Access Platform as a portable solution for safely accessing trucks, tankers and static tanks. Previously, many fleet management companies relied on static platforms or a narrow fixed ladder to reach the top of vehicles. Hoyer UK, a bulk transport logistics company, recently sought a solution from the Cardiff-based manufacturer. Its answer, the Tankmaster is a single-person operation unit, with a hydraulic ram to propel the large safety cage up and down to the desired height, typically between 3-4.5m. Large castors provide manoeuvrability. The product is offered in heavy-duty aluminium or steel to suit different environments and it can be tailored to meet individual customer needs. T
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3000 Pop-Up raises interest The Pop-Up is a battery powered self-erecting, low-level access solution designed as a replacement for ladders and steps. It takes eight seconds to reach its full 1.63m platform height, and overall width is 0.7m. Up to 300 lifts can be achieved on a single charge, says the company. Castors provide mobility, and the Pop-Up has a safe working load of 240kg, being approximately equivalent to one person plus tools and materials. Operation is controlled via a simple handset. The product’s compact size enables it to be transported on a small flat back vehicle. Launched at the end of last year, the machine has quickly aroused interest, having been ordered by A-Plant, Hire Station, Lord Hire Centres, Speedy, Supply UK and several independents. T
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833111 Clow’s advanced line-up Clow Group has launched additional products to its fibreglass access range, following its appointment as UK distributor for Advance Scaffold of Australia. The company’s mobile fibreglass towers are lightweight and every frame can be used as a base frame, building frame or guardrail for ease of assembly and manoeuvrability. Clow’s own Superglas dual section, rope operated, fibreglass extension ladder features double locking catches, aluminium rungs insulated up to 35kV (BS2037), and complies with EN131. The company’s fibreglass Podium Platform Step features an adjustable non-slip platform and the folding frame gives manoeuvrability. Clow also offers training courses covering the Work at Height Regulations. T
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6272 Euro Towers does the KlikStep Euro Towers has added to its low-level access product range with the KlikStep, derived from its popular Klik Microfold folding platform and featuring a fixed deck at 1.2m. It was launched at the January Hire Show and Managing Director Roger Verallo states that several orders were taken at the exhibition. “Small, low-level products like podium steps are booming, and we are working flat out to keep pace. Overall, 90% of our orders are to the hire industry, and hirers are specifically seeking equipment to enable their customers to comply with the WAHR.” T
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644774 Interlink to expand its range Interlink Alloy Systems reports that it has to date sold more than 5,000 sets of its podium steps, which are designed for low-level access. Managing Director Brian Piercy states that an aluminium deck is now fitted as standard for lightness and durability. A range of models has been developed to provide various working height options. The company says that an additional version of its StairDeck tower will be launched shortly. Devised by Clive Patterson, Managing Director of the Uxbridge-based hirer Portatools, the lightweight alloy product is designed for use on stairways and narrow access passages. Horizontal rungs form a ladder in each tower at 250mm spacings, to help avoid over reaching, and the platform is 600mm wide. T
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716579 Hire Store selects Aerial Access The Hire Store chain in Northern Ireland recently took delivery of four Aerial Access K13 trailer mounted platforms. Owner John Clarke states “I looked at products from several manufacturers but was particularly impressed by the K13’s jib boom and its basket rotation capabilities.” The machine has a maximum working height of 13.2m and 5.9m outreach, with towing weights from 1350kg. The machines chosen by Hire Store, which has outlets in Dungannon, Portadown, Bangor and Coleraine, are dual fuel versions that can operate via either a battery powered motor or a Honda petrol engine. The Tanfield Group, based in Durham, acquired Aerial Access when it bought the SEV Group in November 2004. Francis Harkin, Business Development Manager for Aerial Access, states that the company is targeting the UK market strongly in 2006, having invested in new production facilities. Self-propelled machines are scheduled for launch later this year. T
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521111 Bratts Ladders have the Vision Bratts Ladders developed the Vision 360 to meet the requirements of a contractor who simply needed to change a light bulb at a construction site. He was prevented from using conventional stepladders by the site safety officer, who insisted on the use of podium steps or a mini tower, despite the task being of short duration. The Vision 360 is a set of extra wide glass fibre platform steps, designed to enable two-handed work for short tasks, in keeping with HSE guidance. The platform is enclosed on three sides for safety. Models are available with platform heights from 0.44m to 2.69m, giving working heights of up to 4m. They are insulated and non-conductive whilst in use, and kite marked to BS EN 131. T
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6851 Turner Access offers specialist solutions Turner Access Ltd supplies aluminium access towers, scaffolding and IPAF and PASMA training courses. In recent years, it has developed specialist access solutions such as the Safespan multi-span bridge platform system and the PlusGard advanced guardrail, which meets the requirements for assembly and dismantling recommended the HSE and PASMA. Other products include the Octo 250 mobile tower system, which has a climbing frame design and features eight non-slip rungs at 250mm centres. It is offered in 1.45m wide and 0.85m wide options, with 1.5m, 2.5m and 3.2m platform lengths. The Sigmadeck 250 is designed for quick assembly and provides a working platform up to 1.6m. It is designed solely for internal use, can offer guardrail protection at all times and has compact dimensions when folded. The Omegadeck 250 aluminium bridging system enables ‘up-and-over’ access for work in offices and factories with minimal disruption. T
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5555 Measure up with Hilti Hilti suggests that laser range meters, rotating lasers, multidirectional lasers and detectors, when used with a pole tool, can enable many tasks to be carried out quickly and accurately from ground level. The company’s compact PD 32 laser range meter can determine areas, volumes, offsets and perimeters through integrated calculation functions. It also allows indirect distance measurements to inaccessible places, including ceilings, so that fixtures and fittings can be assessed without leaving the ground. It has a range of 5cm-70m. The new PMP 34 multidirectional laser is designed to allow the user to transfer fastening points from floor to ceiling up to 30m, again used with a pole tool where appropriate. Functioning as a plumb bob, builder’s square and spirit level, the product also offers quick and accurate exterior alignment, two vertical measuring points up and down, and two measuring points at 90º for horizontal alignment. T
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100 Traction adds new Niftylift Traction Equipment, the Stafford-based hirer that was profiled in EHN 12 months ago, has become the first UK customer to receive Niftylift’s new model 150T 15m trailer mounted boom lift. The machine was only officially launched in January at the Hire Show. Traction has an extensive fleet of Niftylift booms, which includes 12m tracked, trailer mounted and self-propelled access platforms. “We believe that it is important to have an up-to-date fleet and feel that the Nifty 150T allows us to offer a more versatile array of powered access equipment,” contends Director Matt Bloomer, pictured (right) with his father, Tim Bloomer, who is Managing Director. Niftylift says that the platform has been two years in development, and that it has undergone field tests in environments as harsh as Norwegian winters and Australian summers. T
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223456 Stable solutions from Rojak Ladder safety devices from Rojak Designs include the Stopper, available in seven widths from 40-91cm. The user slots a ladder into the product to provide an anti-slip base. Also offered is the MultiStopper, which has the same base plus a pair of feet/extenders to help prevent the ladder from slipping sideways at the top or the bottom through the user over reaching. The feet/extenders, which can be used with or without the non-slip base, also facilitate work on uneven or sloping surfaces. Rojak, a founder member of LaSMA (the Ladder Stabiliser Manufacturers’ Association), developed the products in association with Bratts Ladders of Nottingham. T
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623555 Alto Towers offers independent mobility Newly
available
from
Alto
Towers
is
the
Mobi-Platform,
a
self-propelled
aluminium
work
platform
that
enables
a
single
operator
to
independently
carry
out
overhead
tasks.
Originally
developed
for
the
servicing
of
aircraft,
it
is
moved
by
the
operator
and
offers
multiple
platform
levels.
Alto has also launched the ‘TT’ trade tower. A budget resale product, it is designed for applications where steps or ladders might have previously been used. It incorporates Alto’s fluted 2mm-walled tube with fully welded joints and comes in a modular format. It provides platform heights from 0.4m-5.7m. T
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596644 Executive Hire News › Archives › Feb/March 2006 › Market Report › Latest products: Work at height
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