Many modern industries, from transportation, logistics, and warehousing to heavy industrial endeavours like mining, construction, and heavy-duty manufacturing operate in three-dimensional spaces that utilise all available space. Reaching elevated areas, machinery, and other features is critical to safety, efficiency, and uninterrupted workflow, from maintenance to storage and beyond. 

Accessing high spaces is inherently risky and requires bespoke, high-quality equipment to achieve safely and efficiently. This is where elevated access platforms come into their own and are an invaluable, essential acquisition. Occasionally known as staging or scaffolds, elevated work platforms provide safe, stable structures to facilitate everything from maintenance and inspections to warehouse stock-taking and off-ground construction tasks. This article examines access platforms, how they facilitate safe manual operations, and some innovative design features that protect workers and allow them to access and operate for extended periods at elevated heights. 

Primary Uses for Elevated Access Platforms

Access platforms are typically found in industrial settings as the ideal way to create secure, versatile working structures that incorporate crucial safety features and optimise convenience and practicality. Some industries and businesses that commonly use access platforms include:

  • Construction

Access platforms are critical to the efficiency and success of many construction projects. They allow workers to safely access high areas to perform tasks like painting, finishing work, electrics, essential maintenance, general building, and more.

  • Manufacturing

Many manufacturing companies use oversized, complex machinery that towers above workers’ heads. Functional access is required for installation, maintenance, running repairs, and official inspections.

  • Oil and gas

Oil and gas industries rely heavily on secure access platforms, especially for critical inspections, regular maintenance, and the daily operation of elevated pipelines, colossal rigs, and other fundamental infrastructure.

  • Utilities

Many utility companies rely on access platforms when installing street lighting, repairing power lines, and inspecting/maintaining communication towers.

  • Retail

Retail businesses often struggle to find space for storage and excess stock, and many use the building’s height to their advantage. Vertical storage solutions are an excellent way to maximise storage capacity but require secure access platforms to reach. Other common uses include cleaning, decorating, changing signs, and general maintenance.

  • Warehousing and logistics

Successful, rapid inventory management is fundamental to any efficient warehousing/logistics company, and the highest storage areas must be viewable quickly and safely. Access platforms are vital to streamlined operations and maximised safety, from general maintenance to stock-taking.

  • Aviation

Access platforms are widely used in the aviation industry. Everything from critical aircraft maintenance to baggage handling, official inspections, and essential repairs relies on safe, secure, and mobile elevated structures. 

  • Telecommunications

Telecommunication companies require access platforms when installing and maintaining crucial above-ground equipment.

Different Types of Access Platforms

Elevated work platforms are available in various types and configurations to suit different environments, tasks and bespoke requirements. The most commonly found types include:

  • Scissor lifts 

These ingenious platforms are named for their support structure, which uses crisscrossing metal to extend vertically in a scissor-like motion. Their versatility makes them ideal for tasks that require vertical elevation only, and they are widely used in various industries.

  • Boom lifts/cherry pickers

Common in telecommunications and utilities, boom lifts (commonly called cherry pickers) are track, wheel, or truck-mounted elevating platforms that can be driven to the required location and deployed in seconds. This makes them highly prized when maintaining/installing street lights and repairing power lines.

  • Mast-climbing platforms

These frequently-used platforms move safely up and down vertical masts carrying multiple workers and essential equipment.

  • Spider lifts

True to their name, spider lifts use extendable outrigger legs to provide stability. These can be spread out and anchored for maximum stability, adjusting to uneven surfaces and angles that traditional access platforms cannot handle. Often track-mounted for mobility, once a stable platform is achieved, the boom can be extended telescopically, using articulated joints to place the working platform in the optimum position. These innovative design features make spider lifts exceptionally versatile and perfect for industries like maintenance, construction, and arborist services. 

  • Personnel lifts

As smaller, more portable lifts (typically for one person), these versatile platforms are commonly used for indoor tasks like maintenance, accessing elevated areas, or even changing light bulbs. 

  • Aerial work platforms (AWPs)

AWPs are versatile platforms that can be used for a wide range of elevated tasks and can be differently sized and configured to suit evolving requirements.

A stable base, typically featuring wheels/tracks for convenient mobility provides the requisite stability and support. The platform raises or lowers using a pneumatic, mechanical, or hydraulic lifting mechanism controlled by the operator via a control panel. The functional working area can be modified to include extendable sections, tool trays, and non-slip surfaces.

  • Cantilever platforms

Elevated platforms that are unsupported at one end are known as cantilever platforms. Their stability comes from contact with a supporting wall or movable, ground-based structure. Sturdy shelving sits on robust extended arms, allowing them to be manoeuvred above objects that would obstruct standard vertical-raising platforms. 

Critical Features of Elevated-Access Platforms

Modern, dependable access platforms must be meticulously designed, constructed, and tested to ensure the following vital factors are evident: 

  • Maximum safety

High-quality access platforms must incorporate safety features and considerations that protect users and meet or exceed requirements, including:

  • Fall protection—These include convenient, well-placed handrails, guardrails, harness points, and safety nets (where applicable) to minimise fall risk.
  • Ventilation—Adequate ventilation is essential, especially when workers are subjected to noxious gases that may accumulate. These must be effectively vented to maintain acceptable, safe air quality.
  • Emergency access/escape points—Elevated platforms require signed, easily accessible access points for fast, effective emergency assistance and rapid escape routes.
  • Non-slip surfaces—Decent traction is non-negotiable in industries where liquids, grease, and other contaminants may be prevalent. 
  • Appropriate load/weight capacity

Any chosen access platform must easily support the maximum expected load with room to spare. These calculations must include the maximum number of intended users, equipment, and essential tools. The consequences of exceeding maximum load capacity can be deadly, making it a critical consideration for any platform user. 

  • Sufficient height

Different access platform types have a wide range of maximum working heights. These must be achieved safely and securely, and each user must determine the appropriateness of their chosen platform for the task at hand.  

  • Universal design for full accessibility 

Wherever possible, within the physical constraints of the access platform in question, modern units must be accessible to all users. This includes ramps, wider walkways, and textured surfaces that assist individuals with disabilities.

  • Ultimate functionality and practicality

Access platforms are designed to be convenient, safe, and practical. They must perform as intended and facilitate fast, efficient operations in any given situation.

  • Durability and extended working lifespan

The materials used to construct access platforms inherently affect their performance and durability. They must be made from robust, durable materials that withstand harsh environmental conditions and repeated, heavy use.

  • Straightforward maintenance

In the fast-paced, demanding locations where many access platforms are preferred, downtime and interrupted workflows can be disastrous. General maintenance, rapid repairs, and scheduled inspections must be uncomplicated and speedy to maintain safety and continuous functionality.

  • Versatile modularity

Innovative, modular designs that can be easily expanded or adapted as required are an excellent way to maintain functionality and cost-effectiveness. Platforms that can be modified to suit various tasks require less storage space and upfront investment. A practical, efficient access platform must seamlessly integrate with existing best practices, schedules, systems, and infrastructure, and modularity is a superb option. 

  • Regulation compliance

Elevated access platforms must meet or surpass all industry and government regulations and required standards. While these may seem stringent and unnecessary, they are carefully created to protect platform users from injury and employers from extreme liability or even prosecution in the event of accidents. 

  • Portability and storage

Transporting, using, and storing access platforms is critical to their success, and each user must determine their portability needs, functional requirements, and available storage space. A platform’s features and size must be matched by its ability to be easily manoeuvred, operated, and stored. Certain platforms can be quickly folded or disassembled for relocation or storage.

Access Platforms for Confined Spaces

The design of access platforms intended for use in confined spaces requires adjustments and special considerations to ensure functionality, proper safety, and compliance with all associated regulations. 

Alongside the crucial safety and practical features of standard access platforms, those intended to operate in confined spaces use innovative, compact designs. These often incorporate modular elements that allow restricted-space platforms to be quickly and effectively modified to suit individual circumstances. 

Contact Bend-tech Today

Bend-tech Group is renowned for its commitment to designing and engineering the most top-tier, durable, and dependable equipment to be found. We leave no stone unturned in ensuring our equipment performs consistently to surpass all expectations, even in challenging, adverse conditions. Our innovative products conform to all the required Australian standards, and our exceptional through-life support services team is dedicated to ensuring complete client satisfaction.  

Please contact the team at Bend-tech to discuss our remarkable safety access platforms or any other aspects of our business. Our efficient, courteous, and knowledgeable representatives will gladly provide all the guidance and information you need.