When material handling and dust extraction experts, APS UK Ltd, were due to install some new manufacturing equipment, they turned to Planet Platforms to solve their work at height problem.
Maintaining and operating the new plant would have personnel working at height and when doing so it was imperative that they always remained safe.
One of the defining characteristics of the project was the fact that the work at height solution we were proposing would need to be installed prior to the new machinery going in. With most projects, it would typically be the other way round, which placed incredible emphasis on the design stage.
These complex design requirements resulted in the installation of an approximately 15m square work platform, manufactured primarily from galvanised steel. Two-thirds of this structure was covered with meshed decking that prevented the build up of liquids and debris, with the remaining third covered with non-slip aluminium chequer plate.
To meet the requirement of numerous personnel plus materials at any one time, the system was designed with a safe working load of 5nK/m², with additional areas uprated to accommodate machinery sitting directly on the platform.
The whole system was surrounded by guardrails offering 360 degrees of protection with access onto the work area via two inclined staircases that can be relocated if required.
Matthew Dawkins, Project Engineer, commented, “I have just come off the phone with the client and he was extremely complimentary about the platform. He said everyone that has walked past it mentioned what a great piece of kit it was”.
