Harsco Infrastructure pops up with another safety option for its site shop

Harsco Infrastructure has added powered Pop-Up platforms to its already extensive range of access solutions available on site, which will help meet compliance with the Work at Height Regulations and bolster health and safety performance on site by replacing ladders and steps for indoor low-level work.

Harsco Infrastructure's Pop-Up platforms can be pushed manually into position, easily fitting through a standard door or into a personnel lift. The platform is battery powered, reaching a maximum height of 1.63 metres in just eight seconds and provides a safe working height of 3.63 metres – with a fully stable safe working load of 240kgs.

The first release of the Harsco Infrastructure branded Pop-Up platforms are being supplied on site at the £320m Kings Mill Hospital development in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Harsco Infrastructure is the specialist access partner for the Skanska Central Nottinghamshire Joint Venture and has a dedicated access and service point on site.

The two companies are in constant communication about Work at Height, and general health and safety issues, and feedback from one Skanska weekly health and safety review identified a possible problem relating particularly to M+E fit out and cabling work.

Paul Basson, Project Health and Safety Manager for the Skanska Central Nottinghamshire Joint Venture, comments: "The use of ladders and steps must always be managed carefully. To protect our operatives from any risk of neck and back stress, or worse a serious fall, an alternative access solution was required. Our ongoing partnership with Harsco Infrastructure enabled a thorough understanding of our requirements on site and meant that the right solution could be sought immediately."

No formal training is required to use the Pop-Up platform, which features simple hand set controls. It is easy to transport on a small flat back vehicle and incorporates an inbuilt variable 110 and 240 volt charger that provides over 300 lifts on just one charge.

This innovative access and service point concept on the Kings Mill Hospital site is effectively a 'site shop' that stocks a carefully selected but comprehensive range of Harsco Infrastructure products, ready for immediate call off, and ensures a response within minutes to all daily requirements from Skanska operatives and the rest of the supply chain.