Ladder or scaffolding? How to find the best access tool for your requirements? Any high level work can be made safer by observing a few basic precepts and precautions. This two-part article offers an overview of how one can, in just a few steps, analyse a possible hazard and select the right item of access equipment for any application. All this, of course, on the basis of statutory legislation. Part-I appeared in July 2012.

In Part-I of this article last month (July 2012, pages 000-000) we examined a few access equipment, viz., Step Stools, Ladders, Work Platforms and Mobile Scaffolding. In Part-II, the focus is on some more access equipment.

Lifts - Infinitely Variable & Safe

Lifts and/or Mobile Elevated Work Platforms make it possible to carry out activities at high levels (approx 14.00 m); they are suitable for work that requires both hands and are particularly safe thanks to the use of bars and railings. They offer infinitely variable and flexible height adjustment at the push of a button for this reason, lifts are also regarded as the most convenient and comfortable solution for "high level work". Lifts can either be operated manually or be automotive.

Examples of Use:

• Maintenance of ceilings in department stores and factory premises
• Decorating large rooms or halls
• Window cleaning, and
• Servicing of ventilation or heating systems

Standards:

Lifts are CE-tested and comply with the European functional and safety standards to DIN EN 280.

Industrial Equipment - Modular & Flexible

Specially tailored to the specific requirements of industry, the range includes industrial equipment, mobile work platforms, bridging and steps in modular construction. The products offer maximum flexibility, safety and ergonomics for the user. And, due to their modular construction, tailor-made, customer-specific solutions - designed using standard components - are also possible. A number of requirements can be met using standard products but not all.

Mobile Work Platforms - Ease and Flexibility

Mobile work platforms feature a large platform. Guardrails, knee rails and toe boards offer additional safety, four castors turn them into flexible and easily movable items of equipment.

Examples of use:

• Lengthy maintenance and inspection jobs
• Mobile access to high-level workstations
• Installation work with a heavy item of equipment, and
• Shelf work involving bulky and/or heavy items.

Standards:

Mobile work platforms comply with the requirements of BG Information Sheet BGI 637.

Bridging and Steps - Stationary & Safe

Bridging may serve either as a stationary or a mobile walkway over in-plant obstacles. Deep treads and a roomy platform ensure ease of ascent and descent. Additional safety features include guardrails, knee rails and toe boards.

Examples of use:

• Bridging over production lines.

Standards:

Bridging complies with the standard DIN EN ISO 14 122 for stationary use in industrial plants and BGI 637 in the case of mobile applications.

Stairs - Fixed & Convenient

Stairs serve as a fixed means of access to workstations or equipment. Deep treads and railings ensure ease of ascent and descent. The safest and most ergonomic solution for frequent usage.

Examples of use:

• Fixed access to raised loading ramps, and
• Fixed access to tanks or bulk containers.

Standards:

Stairs comply with the standard DIN ISO 14 122 for fixed applications in industrial plants.

Customer-specific Solutions - Individual & Flexible

It goes without saying that Sagar Asia also offers special, individually adapted solutions for a range of requirements of every kind. Whether it's platform steps, an industrial stairway or bridging -we are able to manufacture all these products in exact compliance with your particular specifications and requirements.

The Right Way To Do It

Any risk assessment or the use of an appropriate item of access equipment will, of course, only guarantee the desired level of safety if the respective aid to access is in a fully functional condition. For this reason, a regular inspection of access equipment is not only recommended but is also prescribed in law. Every business owner is required to appoint a "competent person for ladders and mobile scaffolding" to be responsible for checking all access equipment regularly and ensuring that it is in an orderly condition

Division Air

Sagar Asia's Division Air rests on a current and experienced team in terms of consultancy - well-engineered design, tailor-made solutions and international project management. Sagar Asia's experience in the design, manufacturing and commissioning of mobile docking systems have references with a large number of customers such as MAS-GMR, HAL, Kingfisher, etc., for a wide range of aircrafts and helicopters.

Aircraft Docking Systems

• Nose-to-tail docking equipment for civil and military aircrafts giving access to any area and fitting all specific contours such as engines, wings or tail shapes
• Grounded or suspended
• Several small modules or single large systems
• Able to serve multi or single aircrafts types, narrow or wide-bodied
• Nose-in or tall-in configuration
• On jacks and/or on wheels aircraft, combining the use of elevation system and sliding panels
• All aluminium and hybrid steel-aluminium structures, and
• Fitted with a related services such as electrical, pneumatic and lighting devices, explosion proof; and hosting system for painting and designing.

Mobile Access Equipment

Universal maintenance stairs specialised maintenance stairs:

• Wide range of fixed and variable height maintenance and access stairs for indoor or outdoor use
• Standard or custom made access stairs fitted with small or large working platforms; narrow or wide stairways [45 Degrees to 50 Degrees inclined], and
• Robust and light structures (all aluminium or steel/aluminium) for easy manoeuvring and accurate positioning.

Standardised Access:

Fixed height maintenance stairs variable - height maintenance stairs.
Specialised Access:

• Pax and cargo door, windshield and window, under cowling and nose or main landing gear wheel well
• Universal variable height working platforms for all types of aircrafts including A380
• Fast, Safe and Convenient fueling
• Alternative design of fuelling stairs equipped with height - adjustment, and
• Fitted with fuelling hose/nozzle, earthing devices and stainless steel containers.

Sagar Asia India Pvt Ltd headquartered and having its manufacturing facilities in Hyderabad is a pioneer in the Asian region and India's largest manufacturer of Aluminium Access Solutions that suit various applications across diverse industrial sectors. The company's comprehensive range of access technology equipment systems is engineered and manufactured with German technology and precision meeting European and American safety standards and designs. The trademark brand names Liberti (Domestic & Commercial Ladders), Freiheit (Mobile Scaffolds, Mobile Work Platforms, Speciality & Industrial Ladders), Sagar Asia (Wind Tower Internals & Aircraft Docking Systems) conform to and are in compliance with the relevant safety directives and meet all international standards as the OSHA, ANSI, DIN, EN and many more.

(Sagar Asia Pvt Ltd, Secunderabad. Tel: 040-27728500. Fax: 91-40-27728529. Mobile: 097010-00971, 088863-30000. Email: marketing@sagarasia.com)