A Comprehensive Guide to Aluminum Work Platforms
Selecting the Right Work Platform for Employee Safety and Efficiency
While most supervisors and safety managers know the features of industrial ladders, many are less knowledgeable about work platforms, a safety option for working at heights that are gaining popularity. OSHA defines a platform as a walking work surface elevated above the surrounding area.
They are commonly used in factories, warehouses, construction sites, and maintenance depots, where employees work for an extended time at a height. A work platform provides a larger space, better fall protection, and higher stability than an ordinary ladder. Due to protection on four sides, employees are less likely to fall, have all their needed tools, and can work with both hands. With additional room for movement and balance, employees can work more efficiently. A work platform is also a desirable alternative to scaffolding because it doesn’t require any assembly.
Importance of Aluminum Work Platforms
work platforms play a crucial role in ensuring the safety of workers.
Injury and Fatigue Prevention
The primary importance of work platforms is to prevent falls and protect employees who need to work at a height from potential injuries. Work platforms are designed to provide comfortable, ergonomic working conditions that reduce the physical strain and fatigue of working on unstable or uncomfortable surfaces. As employees age, aluminum rolling platforms' lightweight yet stable performance makes it easier to move around and enables them to work confidently. Working at the optimal height can increase productivity while reducing the risk of back injuries and fatigue.
Enhanced Productivity
Work platforms enable multiple employees to work together on a task to strengthen collaboration and complete tasks faster with increased efficiency. The more stable and secure surface of platforms allows employees to focus on their tasks and complete them faster, reducing the chances of errors and increasing productivity and efficiency. Due to their higher weight capacity, industrial platforms are also the tool of choice when employees need to work with heavy tools and equipment nearby. Work platforms reduce the time and effort required to erect scaffolding. Instead of repeatedly climbing up and down ladders or waiting for lifts to access different levels, workers can use these platforms to move between levels quickly.
Durable and Versatile
Aluminum Industrial platforms come in a wide range of solutions to fit your environment, application, size, and shape. Sturdy and virtually maintenance-free, they can be used in various industries and applications to provide a safe and efficient solution for workers at different heights and locations. Additional considerations include the added benefit of corrosion resistance and antiseptic characteristics for working around food.
Portability
Rolling aluminum work platforms offer the advantage of portability, as they are stable, lightweight, and easy to move around. This flexibility enables workers to access multiple work areas without needing multiple platforms.
Safety Compliance
Using aluminum work platforms that meet stringent OSHA requirements ensures compliance with safety regulations and helps protect workers and employers from penalties and liabilities. (see details below)
Typical Applications that Use Aluminum Work Platform
Common uses for work platforms are repair and maintenance, assembly lines, mezzanines, walkways (e.g., catwalks, crossovers), and access platforms. Here are some industries and applications that commonly utilize aluminum work platforms:
Aviation Industry
Aluminum work platforms are extensively used in the aviation industry for assembly, maintenance, and inspection work on aircraft. Consider brands manufactured in the USA that are designed to meet stringent standards.
Manufacturing and Industrial Facilities
Many manufacturing and industrial facilities have tasks that require height access for prolonged periods, including industries such as automotive, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and many more.
HVAC Maintenance
Ideal for safe access to rooftop units and high ceilings in many commercial and industrial buildings for HVAC maintenance, inspection, cleaning, repairs/replacements, and installations.
Truck Trailer
Used for access to trailer beds and bridging height distances, maintenance and repairs, inspection and quality controls, refrigerated trailer maintenance, and tanker access.
Rail Vehicle Industry
The rail vehicle industry performs train cleaning, inspection, and maintenance where working at an elevated height is typical.
Paper-Making Equipment
Large equipment requires workers to work and operate on platforms around the machinery. The corrosion resistance of aluminum ensures a longer service life under humid conditions.
Oil Drilling Industry
Used in oil drilling ships or platforms, workers need to access different areas safely, and corrosion resistance is critical for offshore environments.
Warehouse
Used in warehouses for employees to access equipment and goods, aluminum work platforms help optimize vertical space and create a safer, more efficient working environment.
Horticulture/Food and Beverage Industry
Used for indoor growing and food and beverage industries for inspection, maintenance, assembly, and plant access. The corrosion resistance and antiseptic nature of aluminum make it suitable for use in clean environments.
Types of Work Platforms
Several types of aluminum work platforms are designed with features for specific applications and requirements.
Rolling or Mobile Work Platforms
Rolling Platforms are equipped with wheels and designed to move easily around the different workstations or areas in the work site. A rolling work platform, or a mobile platform, is ideal for tasks requiring flexibility and mobility. By enabling workers to move their work platforms, companies eliminate the need for multiple fixed platforms. While they are not adjustable in working height, they can be built to a specific height for the work that needs to be performed. For added safety, floor locks can be installed to aid the locking casters and prevent the platform from moving if under duress.
Stationary or Fixed Work Platforms
Stationary platforms are installed in a specific location and designed to provide a permanent, stable, and safe working surface. Walkways, catwalks, crossovers, and mezzanines typically fall under this category.
Custom Work Platforms
Customized platforms are designed to meet the specific requirements of a particular workspace. They are ideal for applications with unique size requirements, helping workers access hard-to-reach areas or accommodating specific equipment or machinery.
Safety Standards for Work Platforms
OSHA Regulations define safety standards for work platforms with the goal of providing a safe surface for employees working at elevated heights. Some safety features for industrial Work Platforms are:
Guardrails
OSHA does not explicitly define the maximum platform height without railing but does require that any work platform 4 ft (1.22 m) or more above a lower level must have guardrails on all open sides. Guardrails should have a minimum height of 42 in (107 cm) and be capable of withstanding a force of at least 200 lbs (91 kg) without failing. (1)
Handrails
Platforms with stairs or multiple steps should have handrails for worker support and stability during ascent and descent. Handrails are necessary if it takes four or more steps to access the work platform. To prevent confusion on the terms: A guardrail is on top of the platform to avoid falls, while a handrail is along a staircase to navigate ascent and descent. (2)
Toeboards
Platforms with open sides must have toeboards to prevent tools and objects from falling to a lower level. Toeboards are protective barriers placed near the ground or walking surface when there is a risk that tools or other objects could fall onto a person from a platform or other raised area or through a floor opening or hole. Platforms should have a minimum vertical toeboard height of 3.5 in (9 cm) on open sides, measured from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking-working surface. (3)
Stair Requirements
If a work platform has stairs with at least three treads and four risers, it must be equipped with stair rail systems and handrails (4).
Safety Gates
Platforms with access openings, such as ladderways, should have self-closing safety gates to prevent workers from walking or falling into the opening. (5)
There is no specific OSHA requirement for the gap between work platforms. However, the OSHA requirement for guardrails and toeboards on all open sides of the platform to prevent falls and protect workers suggests that there should be no gaps that could pose a risk to employee safety.
Local building codes or industry-specific regulations may specify additional requirements, so please consult relevant regulations and standards to ensure compliance and employee safety.
Aluminum Work Platforms are essential in ensuring employee safety and efficiency in some of the world's mission-critical industries. For many applications, this solution presents the most stable, secure, and safe option to prevent falls and injuries for employees working at an elevated surface for long periods of time.
In addition, aluminum work platforms are more cost-effective to purchase than their steel counterparts, sometimes by as much as 50%. We hope this article helped provide an overview of safety regulations and some considerations for evaluating whether this solution will provide greater safety and productivity for your particular work environment.
To learn more about Metallic Ladder’s expertise inthe design and construction of aluminum work platforms, or to request a quote, visit: Industrial Work Platforms
Source:
(1)OSHA 29 CFR 1910.28 Duty to Have Fall Protection states, “The employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet or more above a lower level shall be protected from falling by guardrail systems, safety net systems, or personal fall arrest systems.”
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29(b)(1): The top edge height of top rails, or equivalent guardrail system members, are 42 inches (107 cm), plus or minus 3 inches (8 cm), above the walking-working surface. The top edge height may exceed 45 inches (114 cm).
OSHA29 CFR 1910.29(b)(3): Guardrail systems are capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied in a downward or outward direction within 2 inches (5 cm) of the top edge, at any point along the top rail.
(2)OSHA 29 CFR 1910.28 (b)(11)(ii): Each flight of stairs having at least 3 treads and at least 4 risers are equipped with stair rail systems and handrails.
(3)OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29(k)(1)(ii): Protection from falling objects. Have a minimum vertical height of 3.5 inches (9 cm) as measured from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking-working surface.
(4)OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25(b)(3), (b)(4), and (c): Stairs have uniform riser heights and tread depths between landings; Stairway landings and platforms are at least the width of the stair and at least 30 inches (76 cm) in depth, as measured in the direction of travel; In addition to paragraph (b) of this section, the employer must ensure standard stairs:
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25(c)(2): Have a minimum riser height of 9.5 inches (24 cm).
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25(c)(3): Have a minimum tread depth of 9.5 inches (24 cm); and
OSHA 29 CFR 1910.25(c)(4): Have a minimum width of 22 inches (56 cm) between vertical barriers.
(5)OSHA 29 CFR 1910.29 (b)(13), (b)(13)(i), and (b)(13)(ii): When guardrail systems are used around holes that serve as points of access (such as ladderways), the guardrail system opening: Has a self-closing gate that slides or swings away from the hole, and is equipped with a top rail and midrail or equivalent intermediate member that meets the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section; or is offset to prevent an employee from walking or falling into the hole.