Seasonal
Updated November 8th 2023
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 in the UK involves 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 and have completed the relevant working at height training course to ensure they are working safely.
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 regulations are followed, that the weather is safe to work in, and the right equipment be used appropriately to prevent falling from height. 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 and the safety of the general public.
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.
When working in town and city centres to remove Christmas lights and decorations, boom lifts and cherry pickers are usually going to be the most suitable 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.
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, provide a stable platform to work from, and are extremely robust meaning they are the best option for wooded areas.
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, markets, or office buildings.
For less hazardous working environments or for removing 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.
Find further information on working at height here to help inform decision making and consider best practices.
Lauren works in our Ecommerce Team, with over 6 years of experience at HSS. She brings product knowledge and is able to give her advice on the right tool for the job no matter how big or small.
One way to care for your soil is to try and take control of pesky weeds. Making sure you get them while they are still small will help to ensure they don’t overtake your flowers and borders and restrict the growth of other plants. Use a hoe or hand weeder tool
It may seem obvious, but you need to check if the fence you are planning to paint is yours. If it is your neighbour’s fence you may be wondering “can I paint my side of the fence
Using a sharp, clean pair of secateurs if you ensure to cut back and prune climbing and bush roses, they’ll stay healthy and bring strong growth in the summer. Trim winter damage from trees and shrubs, removing dead wood and shape plants to encourage healthy new growth. Cut back any remaining perennials to encourage new growth.
Make sure you never miss out on our latest trade offers and news from HSS Hire Group. Sign up today.
