Now that the sun is finally out, chances are you’ve been paying a bit more attention to the outside of your property. The lawnmower has been dusted off, you’ve given the windows a wipe, and the patio has been brushed down and straightened out for garden parties all summer long.
You might be thinking about taking a weekend or two to carry out some of the more major tasks that you put off during the bad weather. Maybe the roof is looking a bit ropey, or you’ve noticed that your gutters need some maintenance. If any of the jobs you’re planning to do involve working at height, make sure that your factor in how best to get up there.
Most homeowners simply reach for their step ladder but, depending on what DIY work you intend to tackle, this probably isn’t the safest or most efficient tool for the job. Do yourself a favour and make your summer chores much easier by considering whether a more specialist piece of equipment – like a cherry picker or scaffolding unit might be a better bet.
When is it safe to use a ladder?
According to Health and Safety guidelines, ladders are appropriate for “low-risk, short duration work” and where a risk assessment has determined that alternative at-height equipment cannot be used due to the site layout.
As a rule of thumb, ladders can be considered an appropriate tool when you anticipate your task to take minutes, rather than hours. If you think the job will take longer, you should only really think about using a ladder if it will be impossible to get more sturdy equipment into the area that you’re working.
Before you put even one foot on the rungs, remind yourself about how to use a ladder safely, whether that’s a step ladder or an extension ladder. In theory, we all know about not climbing too high, keeping our hips over the rungs and checking that the ladder is at a safe angle. However, each year, around 6,000 people in the UK suffer from at-height related injuries, with falls from height remaining to be the single biggest cause of workplace fatalities – so brushing up on safety tips certainly won’t hurt.
What benefits does a cherry picker have?
Another option for working at-height is to hire a cherry picker – see UK specialist MC Property Maintenance here. Depending on the task at hand, the flexibility and potential reach of a cherry picker can help you work faster and more safely. This is especially true if you need to carry equipment or materials that are particularly bulky, as the bucket of a cherry picker will allow you to bring supplies with you to the working area without having to hold or carry them.
The fact that a cherry picker can be extended and re-positioned without having to return to the ground makes it much more effective at covering a large workspace than a ladder. The stability and reach of a cherry picker are also useful for reaching high-up areas where the ground at the bottom is uneven or unsuitable for a ladder.
There is a huge range of cherry picker styles, from bulky, rugged versions designed for long-term use in outdoor environments to compact electric vehicles for use indoors. For this reason, cherry pickers are commonly used for internal and external cleaning, redecoration and maintenance for buildings that are several storeys high. They are also useful for cleaning gutters, installing gas flues and tree surgery.
When is scaffolding the best option?
Scaffolding may not be the simplest option for working at height but, in most cases, it’s the safest. As a rule of thumb, scaffolding is a good choice if:
- Your task is likely to take more than a day
- You are working on a complex job like roof or chimney repairs
- Four or more people will be working simultaneously
- There is a risk that tools or materials may fall to the ground below
Although it may take more effort to set up, the stability and reliability that fixed scaffolding provides often mean that you can focus better on the task at hand. You have a solid platform from which to work, you can safely store equipment near your workspace and the framework can actually serve to protect your workspace from inclement weather.
If you are really not sure about doing any kind of scaffolding work it may be worth getting in a professional team, companies like City and Urban Scaffolding are dotted across the UK and might be a safer choice for a lot of projects
If you think your job needs something in-between a ladder and full scaffolding, maybe consider free-standing scaffolding towers. They provide a stable, fixed platform for you to work from, making it practical to work with two hands and multiple tools, without worrying about having someone stood below to support you. If you anticipate your work to take somewhere between an hour and a couple of days, but you don’t require the flexibility of a cherry picker, then a scaffold tower is probably your best bet.
You probably want to get all of your home maintenance done as soon as possible so you can sit back and enjoy the warm weather at your leisure. Just remember that taking your time to arrange the proper equipment can save you a lot of hassle in the long-run – that sunshine isn’t going to feel half as warm through the window of the emergency room!
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