A traditional ladder is portable, easy to erect and everyone thinks they can use them. But the Health & Safety Executive says: “On average, 12 people a year die at work falling from ladders and [there are] over 1,200 suffer major injuries. Ladders remain the most common agent involved and account for more than a quarter of all falls from height.”

So what other equipment has the same advantages without the risks? The Power Tower Nano, manufactured by CTE and available from Nationwide Platforms and Panther, both members of the Lavendon family, is proving popular in shopping centres.

The Nano is a push-around, lightweight machine. Weighing just 285 kg and with a platform area of 0.75m by 1.19m, the Nano is easy to manoeuvre, especially through corridors, doors and even in and out of lifts. It has a working height of 4.51m, is battery-powered and is equipped with non-marking tyres so is ideal for indoor use on any surface.

Richard Miller, UK sales and marketing director at Lavendon Access Services, says: “Falls from height unfortunately remain the most common type of accident causing fatal injuries. HSE figures for 2008/2009 show 28 per cent of fatalities caused by falls from height involved falls from under 2m.

“The correct choice of equipment and suitable training are absolutely central to accident prevention, and this machine is a perfect example of an access platform that can carry out a task safely and effectively in place of traditional ladders, steps and aluminium towers.”

To meet the demands of tight workspaces inside and out, Terex Aerial Work Platforms has introduced the new GR-20J and GR-26J as the latest additions to its versatile and popular Genie Runabout product line. The GR-20J and the GR-26J respectively offer an “up-and-over” maximum clearance of 4.25 and 6.70 m, a maximum working height of 7.70 m and 9.90 m and a 3.25 m and 3.15 m maximum horizontal reach. Both models allow two-person occupancy indoors to get more done in a small amount of space.

“We added a jib version to our popular Runabout range to give our customers more choices in industrial and maintenance applications” said product manager Jeff Weido. “With an outstanding 140° jib range of motion and a narrow footprint, the new GR-20J and GR-26J are ideal for locations where superior outreach in confined spaces is required. In addition, both the units can be driven at full height to increase users’ productivity.”

But there are some situations where only a ladder will do – a crowded stockroom in a retail store for instance.

Bolton-based safe access provider Ladderstore is now providing fashion retailer Republic with platform step ladders and mobile safety steps fitted at point of purchase with its ladder tagging system, Ladderlog. It already supplies several other retailers such as WH Smith, Selfridges, TJ Hughes, Next and Cotton Traders with a variety of steps.

Ladderstore managing director Gail Hounslea explains the Blue Seal steps recommended to Republic by Ladderstore were considered particularly suitable for retail stores given their deep treads and double hand-rails. The decision to pre-attach a Ladderlog gave Republic’s head office the reassurance it needed that the steps being delivered complied with the Working at Height Regulations and were ready for immediate use.

“Republic is demonstrating a proactive approach to its health & safety responsibilities, pre-tagging Ladderlog is an excellent example of a company minimizing any risk to the safety of its staff,” Hounslea concludes.

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