SAFELY SUPPORTING PAINTERS AND DECORATORS WHEN WORKING AT HEIGHT

A powered access platform can reach areas that conventional ladders and mobile towers cannot easily reach




One of the main dangers faced by painters and decorators is falling from height and is one of the main causes of death in construction.

Various types of mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs) including scissor lifts, and static and mobile booms, enable painting and decorating to be carried out safely in very high and hard-to-reach areas that conventional ladders and mobile access towers cannot easily reach. Also, the mobile nature of powered access platforms makes them an ideal choice when operating in areas that require partial/temporary closure, such as commercial shopping centres or public buildings where work can only be done outside of normal public opening hours.

It is important to ensure that any painting and decorating work at height is suitably and sufficiently planned, managed and carried out. Powered access platforms are one of the safest means for temporary work at height, provided that a risk assessment is done, managers and operators are properly trained and safe use procedures are followed.

GTAccess can help with specifying the correct access platform for the task, and we offer free site surveys that will carefully consider site layout, access, egress, land use and terrain.




RISK ASSESSMENT 

Before any painting and decorating work at height commences, it is important to assess the following:

 

  1. Is there adequate space available for the operation and/or machinery?
  2. Are the ground conditions and topography suitable/stable?
  3. Is there adequate safe working distances from overhead services?
  4. Is the site access available/unrestricted?
  5. Are the wind speed, exposure and weather conditions suitable for use?
  6. Are the operatives adequately trained and proficient to undertake the tasks required?

 

RISK ASSESSMENT AND METHOD STATEMENT