Working at Height in the Winter
Once the festive season has past and we have seen in the new year, people start to go back to work and school; now it is time to take down the decorations. The first few days of January involve a lot of clearing up and cleaning and towns and cities are no different. Getting to work and bringing down the Christmas lights and decorations as quickly and as easily as possible is important to ensure everything is back to normal as soon as is feasible. Bringing down the Christmas lights and decorations requires a lot of work, especially in towns and cities where the lights are positioned at height. It is essential that those doing the work have the right access equipment to ensure they are working safely.
Risks
There are many risks associated with working at height and it is important before a job begins that workers perform an in-depth risk assessment to ensure they are working as safely as possible. It is important that the weather is safe to work in and the right equipment be used appropriately. If precautions need to be taken these should be considered before beginning the job and all employees must be trained in working at height for their own safety.
Equipment Hire
There are various types of access equipment which can be used for working at height, all of which can serve different purposes and be suited to specific jobs.
Boom Lifts
When working in town and city centres to remove Christmas lights and decorations, boom lifts and cherry pickers are going to be the most likely piece of equipment. They offer one of the safest methods for Christmas light removal and can be manoeuvred easily. Christmas lights in town centres are likely going to be one of the highest placed items therefore boom lifts would be most appropriate.
Access Towers
If the area you are working in has trees or is near a wooded area access towers would be recommended. Access towers work in almost any environment and are extremely robust and stable meaning they are the best option for wooded areas.
Low Level Access
Low level access platforms and power towers are good for removing decorations and lights from lower heights or from the fronts of buildings. They are also able to be used indoors which makes them great for use in retail locations or office buildings.
Ladders and Steps
For less hazardous working environments or for removed lights and decorations from the fronts of houses or shops, ladders and steps can be used although low level access towers would still offer a safer solution where they can be used without causing obstruction.
