Choosing the appropriate equipment according to the scope of the project is of utmost importance as it helps in adhering to the timelines set for the project.

Any piece of equipment that is specifically built to function as a safe work platform for people who need to work at height is regarded as access equipment. There are various types of access equipment available. They include scaffolds, scissor lifts, and boom lifts, just to mention a few. Access equipment is essential for working safely at heights. It allows workmen to perform their job at heights without a sense of danger. Thus, their productivity also increases.

According to Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President and Business Head, Godrej Material Handling, Godrej & Boyce, in India, a significant number of the access equipment are refurbished and do not adhere to the latest international safety standards. “Thus, in order to enhance uptime and efficiency of the access equipment, three very important factors have to be kept in mind such as the equipment needs to be able to work on rough terrain and adhere to international standards of safety, the equipment has to be backed up by trained maintenance support staff on a timely basis and training has to be provided to the operators on safety and handling of the access equipment on site,” said Lingayat.

The construction sector suffers from a high-fatality rate with workers falling from heights. Large construction projects demand a high level of skill set and equipment. Well maintained access equipment can help in preventing unwanted situations on site. In this context, even the uptime of equipment becomes a critical factor for productivity.

Productivity and efficiency
To make construction process more productive, one should devote time before the project begins to figure out the people, processes, information, equipment and materials needed before the work starts. It’s the best way to avoid delays and cost increases. One should find good construction management software which can handle bid management, billing and invoicing, contractors, document management, incident reporting, leads, time sheets, job scheduling, etc. “Performance measurements are great motivation tool for workers, especially when rewards are attached to them. Set clear performance measurements and consider attaching a small financial bonus for each one they achieve,” says Rohit Bambhaniya, Marketing Manager, New Age Construction Equipment Engineering Company.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is sweeping the construction industry. It refers to the process of creating digital representations of buildings you haven’t even started pouring cement for yet. This creation allows visualising a building before you start spending money and commit to a schedule that may end up proving unrealistic. Modular construction has become a big trend in construction. The technology has come a long way, to the point that you’ve probably passed by many of them and haven’t noticed any difference from traditionally built buildings. “Work can be carried out in time, faster and more efficiently, as such access equipment being propelled allow the operators to move the machine and reposition them by operating from the platform controls, thus saving vital time,” says Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt Ltd.

When any construction is commenced a timeline to finish the project is formed which acts as a benchmark for all the companies involved in the project but if one looks at the data of these timelines and the actual construction the main divulgence appears to take place at the finishing stages of the project. “There are many reasons for this but one of the reasons is that access equipment are not utilised or the teams that are part of the project have not been educated about automatic access equipment and how it helps speed up the process while also saving costs,” says Sunil Malhotra, Managing Director, Appletree Building Maintenance Pvt Ltd.

Buying factors
While choosing the access equipment, it is important to take into consideration the organisation and its infrastructure support in terms of maintenance and training to assist during the period of the project. “Choosing the appropriate equipment according to the scope of the project is of utmost importance as it helps in adhering to the timelines set for the project. For example, if the terrain is rough, one would need rugged access equipment with the correct skill set of people operating it. Being a critical factor, height should be considered while selecting the access equipment. In addition to height, reach is also as important as sometimes he/she would require a ‘boom’ in order to do the job,” said Lingayat.

There are variants of access equipment depending on requirements. To take one such as aerial work platforms (AWPs) are defined by height and application of use. Based on these parameters the suitable variant is chosen and offered. “We strongly believe in doing the application study for our customers so that the best suitable machine can be suggested to them. The nature of job to be done, area of operation; indoor or outdoor, working height required, outreach, working envelope, etc. All such details are required in selecting suitable access equipment,” says Ray. For example, in case of indoor application definitely an electric or battery operated machine is required, whilst for construction work outdoor preferably a rough terrain machine would be required. In case of dual application i.e. both indoor and outdoor a suitable electric machine is needed.

According to Bambhaniya, if you need to hire access equipment because you’ve got a job that has to be performed at height therefore, the height of the job is the biggest factor to be considered because the equipment that you would pick won’t be useful if it can’t reach the required height. Each type of access equipment is designed to safely reach a specific height, so make sure you select something that can safely reach your maximum working height and maximum lift capacity you will require. What’s the maximum number of people you will need to work at height from your access platform at the same time? What tools will they be working with? It is important for you to think through these important questions and answer them accordingly as they will impact the safety of your equipment during operation. Hire access equipment that can safely support the weight of all people you will need to work at height simultaneously together with their work tools.

Latest models and technology
All major manufacturers of AWPs are constantly striving to update the technology in their machines not only to keep up with the changing needs of the customers but also to make the machines more user-friendly and efficient and ensure optimum level of safety while in operation.

Each of our models and variant have their own USP, but one of the many distinguishing notable features is in the lower ground control box of our new generation articulating and telescopic booms. Incorporated with the Haulotte ACTIV’ Screen in the ground control panel will enable the user to get all details of performance and related parameter at the touch of a button. Further, any fault diagnosis can also be done on this screen, which gives a pictorial description of the nature and location of the fault. This tremendously helps in reducing the downtime of the machine and any intervention can be done in the shortest possible time.

“Our latest introduction is ACTIV Lighting System which is the provision of LED lights integrated on our new generation booms is to facilitate safe loading operations of the machine at night. Another notable feature is our HAULOTTE STOP EMISSION SYSTEM which automatically stops the machine engine after an idle period of 90 seconds. This allows work to be carried out at height and most importantly improves total cost of ownership, and optimises operating costs. One of the recent technological advancements we have introduced in our diesel boom lifts is the Entrapment Prevention System, ACTIV’ Shield Bar. This is a secondary guarding system that ensures safety of the worker in an entrapment situation. The system, once activated, allows on reverse and down function of the machine, thus preventing further danger to the worker. The system unlike some of our competitor’s offerings can be reset from the platform itself, thus saving both time and money,” said Ray.
To meet these changing and challenging needs of the sector, Godrej, in partnership with Imer, has introduced a dual fuel machine with both battery and internal combustion, for indoor and outdoor usage. Access equipment powered with Li-ion technology that helps provide longer working hours is also being developed. In Imer access platforms there is no deration even on extending the platform.

The new theme of the world is data and this is one of the areas where technology is being upgraded to capture data which was not capturable earlier to maximise customer satisfaction. Malhotra adds that going forward this data would also be assessed to robotically clean high-rise facades without the risk of human safety while also increasing the productivity.

Major challenges
Access equipment industry is a part of construction industry which has gone through some serious policy changes in the last 2 years, which has affected the industry in turn. “One major challenge faced by our industry is the lack of knowledge, which results in developers and construction companies opting for equipment on the basis of cost and actual usability which causes loss of time and eventually money,” said Malhotra.

Lack of proper legislations that would make usage of such equipment mandatory is of major impedance. In the developed countries such as Europe, US, Australia, UK use of access equipment is very common as they have strict legislations to use proper equipment to work at heights. Secondly, the uninhibited import of used machines of any age and condition isn’t restricted, thus many such machines that have outlived their actual service life are being put to use and that is a cause of major concern. “The impetus in the growth can only be achieved once we are ready to accept the best practices followed in developed countries, where safety while working at heights is of utmost importance and it is mandatory to use access equipment when working at heights,” said Ray.

According to Lingayat, the other major challenges faced by this industry are imports of old machines; more than 10 years with no checks on latest safety standards, lack of safety regulations for use of machines in India and lack of mandatory guidelines in India for working at heights which is more than 3 metres.

Worker safety continues to be an issue plaguing the construction industry. “For years, construction has led all industries in the total number of worker deaths. The number of workplace injuries and illnesses has remained constant for years. Keeping workers safe and protecting them against accidents and injuries should be the top priority for all business owners,” said Bambhaniya.

Access equipment are not utilised or the teams that are part of the project have not been educated about automatic access equipment and how it helps speed up the process while also saving costs.
Sunil Malhotra, Managing Director, Appletree Building Maintenance Pvt Ltd

The impetus in the growth can only be achieved once we are ready to accept the best practices followed in developed countries.
Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt. Ltd

Well maintained access equipment can help in preventing unwanted situations on site. In this context, even the uptime of equipment becomes a critical factor for productivity.
Anil Lingayat, Executive Vice President & Business Head, Godrej Material Handling, Godrej & Boyce

The number of workplace injuries and illnesses has remained constant for years. Keeping workers safe and protecting them against accidents and injuries should be the top priority for all business owners.
Rohit Bambhaniya, Marketing Manager, New Age Construction Equipment Engineering Company