Member Article

Coventry equipment hire firms pioneers safer access platform

The sales director of an equipment hire firm in Coventry has helped to pioneer a new truck mounted access platform which is safer for workers to use on motorways and highways.

Len Wright, of Clements Equipment Hire in Torrington Avenue, worked with international equipment manufacturer CTE to develop the new specification 21-metre truck mounted platform.

The new machine has been specially designed to make it safer for workmen to carry out activities on a motorway or highway by allowing them to enter at the rear of the cage, away from oncoming traffic.

Traditionally, access is granted to the side of the cage which can mean workers have to walk adjacent to vehicles travelling at speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

Clements is the first company to take delivery of the new specification access platform which has been hired out to a client undertaking work to improve motorway networks across the Midlands.

Len said: “I think it is important for us to look at the market and try to come up with ideas that improve our customers operations by making them safer or more practical.

“I knew what I wanted to develop, it was just a case of seeing if the manufacturer was able to do it. I realised that by changing how the workmen access the cage it could have a huge impact on safety.”

The machine has been developed to include a specially adapted step located at the rear of the cage instead of to one side. It also has dual outrigger controls, mounted on both sides of the vehicle, reducing the need to enter the safety zone to gain access to the cage and to deploy the outrigger legs.

Len added: “It can be quite daunting for workmen to work alongside the running lanes whilst working in a traffic management scheme and anything that improves their safety can only be a good thing for the industry as a whole.

“We always strive to build close relationships with our customers and understand the growing demands placed on them to improve working safety.

“The machine will be able to set up in a single lane closure, reducing traffic management costs while still maintaining a working environment.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of the new specification truck mounted platform and we are also confident it will also be of great benefit to our customers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .