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All you need to know about Hiring, Buying, Maintaining and Using a Powered Access Platform.

HIRING A POWERED ACCESS PLATFORM

Do I need an account to hire access platforms?
Yes, most hires require an account; however, accounts are free, quick and easy to open. Simply complete the online application form.

However, we are able to offer a cash account facility for one off hires. Payment must be made in advance for hire, transportation and GTA Secure™ as well as a £250.00 deposit for any add-ons that may occur.

Can I pay by credit card?
Yes. When you open your account you can also choose to make a pre-payment for your machines by credit or debit card before the hire takes place.

Can I reserve machines?
Machines cannot be reserved, although platforms can be ordered up to 90 days ahead of the hire date.

What does GTA ALL RISK cover?
GTA All Risk is an indemnity scheme that offers protection against charges in the case of accidental damage, vandalism and theft. GTA All Risk is compulsory for Hire if you do not have your own Hired In Plant Insurance.

What do I do when I no longer need the machine on hire?
When you wish to terminate the hire of the machine, please call your local depot to obtain your unique off hire reference number. Please retain your off hire number as this is evidence of termination of the hire. Arrangements can also be made for the collection of the machine at the same time.

What are the terms and conditions of access platform hire?
At GTAccess we operate under the hire terms set by the Construction Plant-hire Association (CPA). A copy of the CPA terms and conditions of plant hire can be viewed here.

TYPES OF POWERED ACCESS PLATFORM

Powered access platforms come in a variety of shapes, sizes and types to suit the job requirements. There are two main types which are detailed below, these are: Scissor Lifts and Boom Lifts.

SCISSOR LIFTS

Electric Scissor Lifts
Electric Scissor lifts are ideally suited to indoor use however some models are also suitable for use outdoors particularly when noise levels could be an issue. Scissor lifts are typically used where more workspace and lifting capability is required. They are designed to provide larger platform work areas and generally to allow heavier loads than boom lifts.

Suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage
Minimal noise and air pollution
Similar manoeuvrability to boom lifts

Diesel Scissor Lifts
Diesel Scissor lifts are ideally suited to outdoor use where more workspace and lifting capability is required. They are designed to provide larger platform work areas and generally to allow heavier loads than boom lifts.

Suitable for outdoor usage
Rough terrain capability
Longer usage time than electric powered scissor lifts

BOOM LIFTS

Boom lifts come in a variety of different types such as Articulated, Telescopic, Towable, Truck Mounted and Specialist. They are also available with different types of power source including: Diesel, Electric and Hybrid or Bi-energy. Hybrid/Bi-energy booms combine the flexibility of Diesel with the quietness and zero emissions of electric.

Articulating Boom Lifts
Often referred to as “Cherry Pickers”, articulating boom lifts are used for reaching up and over machinery, equipment and other obstacles.

Drivable at full elevation
360-degree rotatable turntable (either direction)
Raise or lower boom from vertical to below horizontal
Chassis width provides access to narrow industrial aisle ways and congested work areas
Forward or backward maneuvering and steering of the machine from work platform

Telescopic Boom Lifts
Telescopic boom lifts also known as straight or stick boom lifts are especially useful for applications that require high reach capability.

360-degree rotatable turntable (either direction)
Raise or lower boom from vertical to below horizontal
Manoeuvre and steer in any direction

Towable Boom Lifts
Towable boom lifts consist of an articulated boom mounted on a towable trailer chassis.

Can be towed behind vehicles with class 2 or class 3 hitch (ideal for rentals)
Powered by rechargeable batteries or a onboard diesel powered generator
Self-leveling hydraulic outriggers faster and easier set-up on the job

Truck Mounted Boom Lifts
Truck mounted boom lifts consist of an articulated boom mounted on a truck chassis.

Can be self driven
Powered by rechargeable batteries or a onboard diesel powered generator
Self-leveling hydraulic outriggers faster and easier set-up on the job

Tracked Boom Lifts
Flexible and lightweight with superior reach – Tracked booms or spider lifts allow you to reach places where other platforms cannot. Minimum weight, maximum reach and safety are qualities which users appreciate.

Compact narrow design allows easy access through doorways
Minimum weight, maximum reach
Impressive driving properties and power
Flexible and safe

BUYING A POWERED ACCESS PLATFORM

Is delivery included in the purchase price?
Delivery is not included in the purchase price shown on the website but can be negotiated before the sale is complete.

Are there any warranties associated with this equipment?
All new machines are supplied with a manufacturers warranty, normally 2 years. Used equipment is usually sold with a minimum 90 day warranty and will be fully serviced and have a current LOLER certificate. Extended warranties and Service Plans are also available on all New, Used and Refurbished equipment.

Can I finance my equipment purchase?
As a rule, we don't normally provide direct finance, though in certain circumstances extended terms may be available.

However, we are able to offer off-balance sheet funding methods such as Contract Rental on 3-5-year terms.

Can I test the equipment out before I buy it?
Arrangements can be made to try the equipment prior to purchase, simply contact GTAccess to arrange a suitable time.

MAINTAINING A POWERED ACCESS PLATFORM

GTA Service Plans
We are able to offer four individually tailored service plans for any access machine, whether purchased from us or not.

These range from a basic Bronze package covering you statutory LOLER inspections through to our Platinum all inclusive package.

Visit our sales page for further details

USING A POWERED ACCESS PLATFORM SAFELY

TRAINING
Operators of any MEMP should be in procession of the relevant IPAF training category. For most applications, these comprise either 3a (scissor lifts) 3b (self propelled boom lifts) or 1b (static boom lifts) type machines.

We are able to provide this training for your operatives. Please visit the training page of this website.

Do I need a harness for all MEWPs (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)?
Although not a legal requirement both the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) and IPAF (the International Powered Access Federation) strongly recommends that a full body harness with an adjustable lanyard (adjusted as short as possible to provide work restraint) is used when working from a boom type MEWP or vehicle mounted boom.

Can I purchase harnesses from you?
Yes, we offer harness and lanyard sets which come complete with individual serial numbers and product history cards. We also provide IPAF harness training which teaches a user how to select, inspect and use a harness and associated equipment safely when using a MEWP.

USING A FORKLIFT WITH A TEMPORARY MAN CAGE

Primarily, forklift trucks are intended for lifting materials and not people. The HSE in their guidance document PM28 state that the use of a non integrated platform on a forklift truck should only be used for occasional work and not pre-planned maintenance.

A Summary of the HSE PM28 Guidance Document is listed below.

Routine or planned tasks particularly those associated with production or pre-planned activities, such as periodic maintenance or stocktaking, are not exceptional circumstances and are thus not examples of occasional use, consequently, forklift trucks fitted with non-integrated working platforms are not suitable for order picking, routine maintenance or the transfer of goods or people from one level to another.

If used for non-routine maintenance, there should be adequate communication between the truck operator and persons on the platform especially when raising and lowering. Hand held communication devices or a system of signals should be used where communication is difficult. If a working platform is lifted to a height greater than 4m above the truck operator or the working platform is used in a noisy environment then it is likely that communication aids will be required.

If people have to lean out of the platform to carry out work at height then they shall wear harness and lanyards that when linked to the platform’s harness anchorage points prevent them from overbalancing and falling over the rails

The cage shall be used and maintained in good working order and repair and in accordance with the instructions provided by the working platform manufacturer. Most people do not think to get this cage inspected or factor in this annual cost

Screens or guards shall be fitted to the working platform to separate persons carried from any trapping, crushing or shearing points on the truck lifting mechanism or any other dangerous parts; example, where a chain passes over a pulley or between moving parts of the mast or its actuating mechanism. To cater for people leaning on them, the screens and guards shall be capable of withstanding, without permanent deformation, vertical and horizontal forces of 900N applied individually and concentrated at any point. Greater strength would be required if the screens and guards can be subjected to higher forces in use or if the separation distances referred to in paragraph 41 are compromised when the 900N forces are applied.

Any gate provided shall open inwards, upwards or sideways and return automatically to the closed position. It is strongly recommended that adevice is provided that locks the gate automatically and ensures it cannot be opened once the platform is raised.

A sign shall be provided on the truck, where it can be read, informing the truck operator to stay at the truck controls while the platform is in a raised position.