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This article contains everything you will need to know about work equipment platforms and their use.
You will learn:
A work equipment platform is an elevated platform or surface in a manufacturing or production site that provides easy access to equipment and machinery. The raised space of a work equipment platform increases the square footage of a work site, helps improve efficiency, and maximizes the use of unused work areas. Due to the nature of their use, work equipment platforms are constructed of heavy-duty steel or aluminum, which makes them sturdy enough to withstand the conditions of a work site.
Equipment work platforms are not considered part of the floor or general area of a building and are not regulated as stringently by the codes established for mezzanines. For example, mezzanines, under fire regulations, must have sufficient sprinklers and lighting, which is not a requirement for work platforms that can be larger and include stairs, ladders, or other means of access.
The various types of work platforms are ideal for companies that have limited work area with unused vertical space. Their installation helps ensure the safety of workers by expanding the available work area. They are flexible enough to fit into any type of location, rest on its foundation, are free standing, and do not attach to the structure of a building. When discussing work platforms and mezzanines, it is essential that you use the proper terminology or you can open a wide spectrum of possibilities.
Work equipment platforms can take many shapes and configurations. In most cases, they have to be adapted to fit the needs of the location where they are installed. The choice of the type of work platform is dependent on its function, which can range from a simple work area for repairing and inspecting parts to ones that are capable of supporting heavy production equipment. The wide use of work platforms is in relation to their capacity, which can range from 50 PSF up to 250 PSF to accommodate almost any need.
Work safety platforms, as with all equipment platforms, take different shapes according to their use. They can be installed to allow workers to operate equipment controls at the proper height for easy access. Other forms are used to access various parts of a large piece of equipment for maintenance and service purposes. The sizes of safety work platforms vary from ones that are a few inches high to ones that are several feet high with stairs for access. These types of work platforms are commonly used for warehouse and retail applications.
Other forms of work safety platforms are mounted on the forks of a forklifts to raise workers to a work location. This form of work safety platform is accessed on the ground by a locked safety gate and requires workers to wear safety gear.
Folding or hop up system work platforms are popular with painters and decorators because they are portable and lightweight. When a folding platform is expanded, it can reach the ceiling of a room and upper wall areas. The legs for a folding platform unfold and lock in place. The locking mechanism holds the legs securely to provide a sturdy, secure, and safe work space. Folding work platforms can be a few feet long and one or two feet wide or be several feet long and over four feet wide. They can reach heights close to four feet and have stairs on their sides for easy access.
Podium work platforms have the same shape and appearance as ladders but with additional safety features. The aspect of podium work platforms that differentiates them from normal ladders is the addition of enclosed guardrails that protect the user. For further protection, the base of a podium work platform is slip resistant and supports the strong and sturdy platform. Podium work platforms, as with all kinds of work platforms, come in different sizes, heights, and with various guardrails.
For the sake of convenience, podium platforms can be collapsible but still provide a solid, stable, and secure work surface. The popularity of podium platforms is due to their ability to withstand the many types of worksite conditions but still provide strong support.
There is a wide range of powered work platforms that include ones that are similar to forklift work platforms and ones that are designed to perform maintenance on high rise buildings. Powered work platforms are also known as aerial work platforms or AWPs due to the heights they are capable of reaching.
Powered or aerial work platforms that are mobile have a two- or four-wheel base with two-wheel bases having supports that extend out for additional support. Some versions have power controls on the platform that makes it possible to move the platform while it is raised. Aerial platforms used for high rise maintenance have a crane at the top of the building with controls on the platform that allows workers to properly position the platform.
Types of aerial lift platforms:
Cantilever work platforms are adjustable height work platforms that are used by workers to position themselves to work on large pieces of equipment or trucks. The design of cantilever work platforms makes it possible to work on a structure or piece of equipment without having to climb on it.
The platform for a cantilever work platform can be several feet long and two to four feet wide. Other versions have room for one worker and extend over the piece of equipment. Cantilever work platforms are mobile to enable them to be used to work on varying pieces of equipment. They can raise to heights of 8 feet to 15 feet (2.4 m to 4.5 m).
Machine access platforms are designed to allow safe and easy access to elevated and hard to reach equipment. They are designed for workers to make adjustments, change controls, do maintenance, or clean equipment. In most cases, they are customized to fit the types of equipment for which they are used and have strong and sturdy stairs and guardrails for safety.
Mobile work platforms take several shapes with all forms being able to be moved on wheels. The types of mobile work platforms include ones that are similar to small mezzanines that can be moved and positioned beside a large piece of equipment. Smaller mobile work platforms are quite common and have stairs and side rails. They are used in warehouses to allow workers to pull products from shelves.
The design of mobile work platforms makes it possible to have a workstation that can be positioned to meet the needs of the changing workflow. Mobile platforms take several forms and include scissor lifts and boom lifts, which are mobile elevating work platforms or MEWPs. These types of mobile platforms have electric motors that make their mobility easier.
Group A mobile work platforms are pushed from location and are used in a wide variety of industrial applications. Mobile work platforms that can elevate can be moved when in their start position or when they are elevated. The distinction between the two is in their design.
Stationary work platforms can have the shape of a mezzanine or be similar to a stepping stool. Their different forms include platforms that surround a piece of equipment to allow for easy access and have room for tools, monitors, and electronic devices. The small stool form of stationary work platforms makes it possible for a worker to be raised to the operational level of a piece of equipment and provide easy access.
The smaller versions of stationary work platforms are normally included in the design of equipment and machinery since they are necessary for efficient and smooth operation. Larger stationary work platforms are normally custom designed for the application for which they are used. Such types of platforms are used for airplane, bus, large truck, and helicopter maintenance and the assembly of large products such as boilers and fuel tanks.
The permanence of large stationary work platforms necessitates that they be made of hardened steel and have a secure foundation, which is bolted to the floor of the facility. They are normally eight to ten feet (2.4 m to 3 m) off the floor such that workers can easily move underneath them. As a permanent addition to a facility, stationary work platforms take time to be installed and removed. They are placed for the long haul and are exceptionally durable.
There are several safety measures that are required for stationary work platforms, some of which are specified by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). These regulations include the types of handrails, stairs, measurements of the platform, types of materials, and the inclusion of shields or other protective devices.
A bridge deck is a combination of mobile work platform, maintenance platform, and height adjustable work platform. Of the various forms of platform access tools, the bridge deck is one of the most unique. It provides the user with a bridge type construct that allows entrance from two sets of stairs located at either end of the platform. Although mobility is not a necessity, most bridge decks are on wheels for easy positioning and are height adjustable, a feature that makes them usable in multiple locations.
Bridge decks are a generic tool that can be easily inserted into any application. They take little time to assemble and put to use. The weight of the platform is carried by two large platforms located at the ends of the bridge deck. Casters for a bridge deck work platform are specially designed to be able to carry the load but provide mobility.
Loading work platforms are used at construction sites, warehouses, loading docks, and retailers for the loading and unloading of goods and materials. In the construction industry, loading platforms are used in projects involving multi-story buildings that require access to materials at several levels. They are a stable and safe surface that are positioned by cranes for transferring goods from ground or lower levels to higher levels in a structure.
The main purpose of loading platforms is a safe and secure method for positioning materials. They eliminate the need for manually moving goods and make room for forklifts and pallet jacks. At construction sites, depending on the method for moving loading platforms, several of them can be positioned at different levels. As with other forms of platforms, loading platforms have to comply with OSHA regulations for safety and are regularly inspected for compliance.
With few exceptions, loading platforms of all sizes and uses have safety railings and textured surfaces. Floor level loading platforms may not require safety rails due to how they are used. Mobile raised loading platforms have different forms of platforms and are raised 4 to 10 feet (1.2 m to 3 m) off the surface. The rugged design of loading and unloading work platforms makes it possible to use them indoors or outdoors.
Scaffolding is a type of work platform that is differentiated by its use. While equipment work platforms are capable of holding equipment, tools, machinery, and assorted devices as well as workers, scaffolding provides sturdy support for work platforms and provides a safe and sturdy surface for work areas such as several story buildings and home renovations.
Additionally, scaffolding makes it possible for more than one person to work on a project, which cuts time, makes efficient use of materials, and offers extra help when needed. Unlike work platforms, scaffolding is constructed to meet the needs of a specific task or project. They are a temporary structure positioned at the location where work is being completed. Scaffolding has an aluminum or steel frame with various types of materials used as platform materials, including wooden planks, which are not commonly used for work equipment platforms.
A couple critical factors in regard to scaffolding compared to work platforms are the requirements and safety factors. Work platforms have to be OSHA compliant and must have certification. They are safer, more reliable, and sturdier since they are built to last. Scaffolding is a built in place work platform that is not mobile and cannot be easily repositioned.
With few exceptions, loading platforms of all sizes and uses have safety railings and textured surfaces. Floor level loading platforms may not require safety rails due to how they are used. Mobile raised loading platforms have different forms of platforms and are raised 4 to 10 feet (1.2 m to 3 m) off the surface. The rugged design of loading and unloading work platforms makes it possible to use them indoors or outdoors. Loading platforms can also be used in conjunction with stationary vertical reciprocating conveyors to move goods between levels.
The use of work equipment platforms takes advantage of space in a facility that would otherwise be unused. They can be adapted, configured, and engineered to fit the needs of any operation and provide a long-lasting durable solution for the maximization of space. Their use is a valuable asset to repair stations, warehouses, industrial operations, and equipment maintenance.
Modern equipment is complex and intricate with multiple aspects that have to be continually monitored and examined. Since these pieces have several locations on a piece of equipment or on a control panel, it is necessary that they be easily accessible. Manufacturers of industrial machinery rely on equipment platforms to provide accessibility for workers and technicians with most platforms being custom designed to meet the needs of the equipment.
There is an endless variety of equipment platforms that make it easy for workers. Depending on the type of machinery and the nature of its work, various safety features are included in platforms to make the process of monitoring equipment easy and safe.
The stipulations and regulations from OSHA clearly outline the factors that need to be taken to provide safety for workers. They make reference to every part of an operation down to the smallest detail. In the case of large pieces of equipment, OSHA regulations describe the necessary factors that ensure that workers are well protected and include any type of access points.
Included in OSHA regulations are the types of stairs and their surfaces, the consistency and construction of railings, weight limits, number of personnel, and other factors that will prevent harm to workers and damage to equipment. Equipment work platforms are minutely defined and outlined.
The aerospace industry relies on work equipment platforms for the construction and repair of all types of commercial and military aircraft. The use of work platforms in aerospace covers a wide range of applications that include manufacturing, fleet maintenance, and prevention of damage. Work platforms for use in aerospace have a specified set of requirements that include mobility, fall prevention, and custom design to fit the dimensions and requirements of specific aircraft.
The purpose of machinery work platforms is to protect equipment from factory traffic and natural disasters such as flooding or earthquakes. They have guardrails for worker safety and fall protection with gates for loading materials and other equipment. Due to the range of machinery placed on machinery platforms, they are custom designed to meet the weight and load requirements of equipment.
In the majority of cases, the reasons for installing machinery or equipment work platforms are the limitations in regard to available space. As companies become successful and have the need to increase production, they may not have the ability to construct additional space or facilities to meet the demand. The installation of work equipment platforms takes advantage of available space at a lower cost. Going vertical is more cost effective than buying land and adding additional square footage horizontally and does not require adherence to the exorbitantly increasing costs of construction and code enforcement.
A common use for scissor lifts and boom lifts is for the cleaning of the exterior surfaces of buildings. Their mobility, ease of positioning, and ability to be operated from the work platform makes them ideal for repairing, cleaning, and examining the surfaces of multi-story structures. In many cases, scissor lifts and boom lifts are used internally and externally for cleaning due to their flexibility.
It may be errantly assumed that work equipment platforms and mezzanines have the same type of structure. Although this similarity is true, to a certain extent, there are certain characteristics and differences between the two, aside from their structure and permanence. One factor that differentiates the two is how they are defined in regard to company assets. Unlike mezzanines, work platforms are considered capital equipment since they are not permanent, which has an impact on how they depreciate and are taxed.
The area of a mezzanine can only be 1/3 of the area of the overall floor of a building. When there is more than one mezzanine, their total floor space cannot be more than 1/3 of the building's floor space. Additionally, the height above and below a mezzanine must be 7 feet (2.1 m). Mezzanines are not included in the square footage of a building, which is one of the reasons they are used.
Unlike mezzanines, equipment platforms can be twice as large as a mezzanine and 2/3 of the floor of a building. If a building has a mezzanine and an equipment platform, their combined area cannot be more than 2/3 of the floor of the building.
The requirements for a sprinkler system are determined by the area of a building. These are code regulations that have to be followed for a building to be declared safe and protected. When the determination of the fire areas of a building is made, equipment platforms are not included, while mezzanines are. Regardless of this stipulation, equipment platforms are required to be protected by a sprinkling system, above and below it. The calculation for this aspect of a structure depends on the type of equipment platform and its location since not all equipment platforms are like mezzanines.
Since mezzanines have a different function from that of equipment platforms, they have regulations regarding the number of entrances and exits. This is determined by the number of people who work on the mezzanine and the distance to each exit. Mezzanines with fewer than 49 people necessitate the installation of one exit, while ones with more than 49 people must have two or more exits. Additionally, mezzanines must have secure and sturdy stairways.
Catwalks, stairways, and ladders for equipment platforms provide entrance and are not considered part of the structure of the building. An equipment platform is not to be used as a part of a mezzanine system.
One of the reasons that equipment platforms and mezzanines are added to buildings is to take advantage of unused space. Regardless of their use, they still fall under the building codes in the area where they are constructed. When a mezzanine is added to a building, a structural engineer examines the impact of the addition and its consequences to the structure. Since a mezzanine is defined as part of the building, the plans for a building have to be updated and altered to include the addition.
Although work platforms have certain building codes they must follow, the restrictions on them are far less than those for mezzanines. In many cases, a work platform can be installed and put to use immediately, which is unlike the specifications for mezzanines.
Since work equipment platforms are not considered part of a building, they do not incur construction costs. Mobile work platforms can be assembled and put to use in a day, which is not true for mezzanines that require implementation costs and may necessitate the inclusion of bathrooms and handicap access.
Work equipment platforms are considered a piece of equipment for tax purposes and depreciate in 7 years. A mezzanine is defined as additional construction and takes 31 years to depreciate. Writing off assets provides companies with tax deductions for those assets, which lowers their tax bill.
The depreciation factor is due to how an inspector defines a mezzanine, which, in most cases, is considered a permanent part of a building rather than a mobile removal structure. Mezzanines are permitted as pieces of construction and not as equipment, a factor that leads to the 31 year depreciation.
Since equipment platforms are required to support heavy equipment, they are built of heavy-duty materials capable of supporting equipment and personnel. The key features of work equipment platforms are their elevated walkways, stairs, ladders, heavy-duty rugged panel surfaces, and easy platform access. Due to the nature of the work performed on work equipment platforms, it is important that their structure match that of the equipment they surround or hold.
Work platform stairs are constructed of steel in order to withstand the load the platform must bear and for long term use. Stairs come in several configurations from sets of two to six up to sets of ten or more. They are designed to endure constant use and be able to withstand the impact of workers moving up and down. Although the design of stairs is critical, they are made to work in unison with guardrails and railings, which are attached to either side of the stairs.
Various forms of grating for stairs ensures a rough surface as workers climb up and down the stairs. Such designs increase the grip of shoes to prevent workers from slipping or falling and are normally part of the certification of a work equipment platform.
The work surface for work platforms is another factor that is included for the safety of workers. It has a form of a roughed perforated surface with a carefully designed tread pattern that provides adhesive friction for sure footing. The flooring of a work platform ensures that workers will be able to safely move without concern for footing even if there is a slippery substance on the flooring.
Manufacturers install flooring that is long lasting and slip resistant that provides a firm secure grip, which allows workers to concentrate on their productivity and not their safety. The surface of platforms can have a common diamond closed pattern, serrated open surface, or an open grid pattern depending on the requirements of the process or application.
The specifications for guardrails for work platforms are defined by OSHA 1926.451(g)(4). Included in the requirements is the requirement of the installation of toprails, midrails, and toe boards for worker protection with each aspect of the guardrails having a minimum capacity of 200 lbs. (90.7 kg).
Guardrails are made of metal and bolted to the floor of the platform. The type of metal is dependent on the use of the work platform with some guardrails and handrails being made of aluminum while others are made of hardened steel. The main purpose of guardrails, regardless of their construction, is to provide slip and fall protection for workers.
Steel handrails and guardrails are made from steel pipe and tubing using heavy gauge steel. Due to the nature of the use of work platforms, guardrails are, by necessity, custom designed to fit the needs of an application. The piping can be round or square, each of which has the necessary strength and durability.
Several versions of work platforms are mobile and necessitate the use of highly durable casters or wheels capable of carrying the load of the work platform. The wheels for mobile work platforms take several forms including rubber tires for boom lift and scissor lift work platforms and casters for the movement of large work platforms in manufacturing operations. As a part of the design criteria, manufacturers include wheels that perfectly match the type of work a work platform will perform.
A special type of casters easily rolls a work platform until it is placed. When weight is placed on the platform supports are forced down to prevent the wheels from engaging. Other versions include wheels with a locking mechanism or feet that take over the support of a work platform with the feet being able to adjust the height of the platform.
Safety swing gates are designed as an extra feature to comply with OSHA regulations. They are an extra line of protection for workers and can be installed in any type of work platform with most being used with large work platforms. Safety swing gates can be placed in such a way that they can swing in any direction with some having adjustable bolts and screws such that the gate perfectly matches the size of the opening. Although some facilities use chains to block off critical areas, safety swing gates provide an extra level of protection for worker safety.
The features of work platforms described above are a sampling of the components that are used to design work platforms. How the components are engineered and included in a work platform vary according to their manufacturer and the requirements of the platform.
The main concern for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in regard to work platforms is the potential of workers falling from platforms. In order to provide guidance for work platform use, OSHA created standard 1910 Subpart D: Walking Working Surfaces for work platform compliance. In a 2017 revision, OSHA published an update that outlined for employers methods they can use to protect employees from fall hazards on unprotected sides four feet above a lower level. Included in the revisions are requirements for maintenance, inspection, and use of fall protection systems.
Any work platform four feet or more above a lower level must have guardrails that are sufficient to withstand 200 lbs. force and be located on all sides of the work platform. Additionally, toe boards are required to prevent any tools from slipping over the edge of the platform. It is important to understand that guardrails and handrails are different and have different height requirements.
OSHA 1910.23 is in regard to mobile ladders and platforms used to repair equipment or retrieve items from shelves. They are not to exceed four times the shortest base dimension, without having additional support. If the height to be reached is greater than the specification, it will necessitate the use of outriggers, counterweights, or other stabilizing methods to prevent stands, ladders, or mobile platforms from overturning.
The standards for OSHA 1910.25 outline the requirements for step width and height for mobile ladders and work platforms as well as their spacing and arrangement.
Work platform manufacturers work diligently to ensure that their work platforms conform to OSHA requirements, and, in most cases, maintain a safe and reliable step depth and height regardless of the height of the work platform or ladder.
When guardrail systems are used around holes and serve as a means of access, the guardrail system must have a self closing gate with a top rail, midrail, and is offset to prevent workers from falling or walking into the hole. Safety gates must be sufficiently substantial that they cannot be unintentionally opened.
This aspect of OSHA stipulations is the foundation of work platform manufacturing. It is in regard to the maximum load capacity for a work platform, which varies according to several factors including the number of people, types of equipment, and the use of the platform. According to OSHA requirements, a work platform must be capable of withstanding 4X its maximum intended maximum load, a factor that producers religious adhere to.
There are certain criteria that have to be carefully considered when making the selection of a work equipment platform. Smaller mobile platforms tend to be easier to choose since the parameters are easily defined. When selecting a larger work equipment platform, the number of factors increase due to the importance of the choice in regard to the safety of workers and the nature of the work.
The main reason for the use of work platforms is to provide easy access to equipment and their components. For large equipment platforms, this requires a study of the areas that need to be accessed, the height of the platform in relation to the components, and how safely access can be provided. In addition, the placement of stairs, guardrails, and access points to the platform have to be considered.
In all facilities, the height of the ceiling and the amount of vertical room has to meet OSHA stipulations with 7 feet above and below being the minimal height. The available space above the platform has to be sufficient for optimal performance of workers.
The types of materials used to construct a platform vary in accordance with the nature of the work that will be performed. Industrial applications that have pieces of equipment elevated on a work platform require the use of hardened steel capable of handling the load of the equipment and the workers. Lightweight mobile platforms that provide space for small tools and equipment may not require the use of steel and can be constructed of aluminum.
In all cases, regardless of the metal used in construction, work platforms should be coated with some form of paint to protect them from the environment of the workplace. All manufacturers provide a selection of coatings that are appropriate for a variety of environments.
This aspect of work equipment platforms is emphasized multiple times since it has an impact on the productivity and efficiency of workers. Guardrails, locking mechanisms, handrails, roughened surfaces, and access gates should be included in the construction of a work platform. The protection of workers is of prime importance in the selection process and is a major concern of manufacturers.
The guidelines for the manufacture, assembly, and construction of work equipment platforms are based on the regulations enacted by OSHA. Each aspect of a work platform is outlined in the regulations in regard to the height, capacity, mobility, surface, guardrails, and all other factors. These stipulations are closely followed by manufacturers and are certified by inspectors.
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