Stairway Access Tower Hire

Working Over Stairways

Working over stairways presents unique challenges. The obvious difficulties of setting up safe access over the height differential are compounded by width restrictions.

Multiple ceiling heights and projecting ceiling structures add to the challenge. Whilst it is certainly possible to use a combination ladder for the task, it’s not really ideal. Combination ladders have limited flexibility to cope with the stepped stairway area, they lack strength and rigidity and finally they do not provide the operative with a safe level work platform.

Stairway Access Tower Hire – The Safer Solution

Fortunately, there’s a better solution. With stairway access tower hire it is possible to work safely above stairways on a quickly-erected, stable structure which also benefits from a large, horizontal work platform. Stairway access towers are light and easy to transport. It is possible to include delivery with stairway access tower hire should it be required. Assembly is straightforward and no special tools are required.

As stairway access tower users will be working at height, they must adhere to all relevant regulations, for example by using guard rails, toe boards and lanyards. In some localities, the regulations are relaxed for domestic non-commercial users, but our advice is to respect the recommended working practises even for domestic do-it-yourself (DIY) operations.

Stairway Access Tower Hire Versus Purchase

Stairway access tower hire is a great solution for both commercial and domestic use. The latter in particular will find that hire is much less costly than purchase, especially as the product is likely to be lightly used and storage may become a problem. Professional decorators and building maintenance operators also find that stairway access tower hire is the best option to fulfil their access needs.

When choosing a stairway access tower, remember to allow up to 2m of working headroom above the platform height.

Safety When Working At Height

Personnel working at height are at risk of injury or death from falls and accidents. Before committing to staircase access tower hire, please be aware that professional operators and users are obliged to undertake appropriate training and to ensure that they always operate the equipment in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and all appropriate regulations. In the USA, reference should be made to the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) for guidance.

Operators should never use boxes or other equipment on top of the work platform in order to gain extra height. Take care to avoid reaching too far out to one side as there is a risk of toppling. A caution which is specific to staircase access tower hire is worth mentioning here. If the tower is to be repositioned on a higher step then one should never attempt to move it as a complete assembly. It must always be dismantled and then re-constructed once the components have been moved to the next site of work. It is not possible to cover all the relevant safety issues here. Please consult your supplier or local regulator for further guidance.

Stairway Access Tower Applications

Please note that stairway access towers are intended to fulfil temporary access requirements and should only be used by suitably trained personnel. They are not considered to be suitable for long-term access or public use.