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Safer Construction Starts at Ground Level: Why Access Should Be Planned From the Start On any construction or engineering project, access is essential to getting the job done safely and efficiently. Yet it is often something that is considered once the work is already underway. By that point, structures may be in place, equipment installed and working areas established, making changes to access more complicated, disruptive and expensive. A Better Way is to plan access from the beginning. When access is considered alongside the engineering, design and temporary works strategy, project teams can create safer working environments, improve efficiency and reduce the pressure of solving problems reactively on site.   Access is part of the engineering process Access shouldn’t be treated as simply a way of getting from A to B. It needs to be considered as part of how the project will actually be constructed, maintained and operated. Where will people need to work? How will they reach those areas? What will they need to carry? How frequently will the area be accessed? Will access requirements change as the project progresses? These questions can have a significant impact on the type of access required. For example, an area may require temporary stairs during construction, a working platform during installation and maintenance access once the project is complete. Each stage can present different challenges. Considering these requirements early gives engineers and project teams the opportunity to develop appropriate solutions before work begins.   Plan for the whole project lifecycle One of the biggest mistakes in access planning is focusing solely on the finished structure. Construction sites are constantly changing. Levels change, temporary structures appear and disappear, equipment is installed and working areas become increasingly congested. Access therefore needs to work with the project, rather than simply being designed for a

The right work platform can make a job safer, easier and more efficient. But with so many access requirements to consider, how do you know which platform is right for your project? Whether you’re carrying out maintenance, construction, manufacturing, vehicle servicing or working in another industrial environment, there are a few key questions to ask before choosing your access solution.   1. How high do you need to go? Start with the working height. If you always work at the same height, a fixed-height platform could be the simplest solution. If the job involves different working levels, an adjustable-height platform can provide much greater flexibility. For example, SafeSmart’s EasyRaise and UltraRaise platforms provide adjustable access for applications where one fixed height isn’t enough. 2. What are you carrying? Don’t just consider the weight of the people using the platform. Tools, equipment, components and materials all contribute to the load. Always check the platform’s safe working load and make sure it comfortably accommodates everything that will be on it.   3. How do you need to access it? Getting to the working height is only half the job. Think about how workers will get onto the platform and what they’ll be carrying with them. Stair access platforms can be particularly useful when workers need to keep their hands free, while different access configurations can make it easier to reach awkward or restricted areas. SafeSmart’s range includes solutions such as the Super Maintenance Platform, designed to provide a dedicated working area with the option of traditional steps or integrated stair access. 4. Does it need to move? A platform that’s used in one fixed location has very different requirements from one that needs to move around a workshop, factory or construction site. Consider: How often it needs repositioning Available floor space Doorways

The Challenge Thales required safe and reliable access to their autonomous mine sweepers, but their existing access solution was no longer fit for purpose. The previous stair platforms were manufactured from steel and, like many basic steps, did not provide the level of compliance required for the application. More importantly, the equipment was being used in a coastal environment, where exposure to salt air had caused significant corrosion to the existing steel platforms. Thales needed a solution that would provide safe access to the vessels while also being easier to manoeuvre, more stable and capable of standing up to the harsh marine environment. Finding a Better Way Rather than simply directing Thales towards a product to purchase online, the SafeSmart team visited site to understand the application first-hand and review the access requirements with the team. This onsite approach allowed us to draw on our expertise in safe access and work through the different options available. By looking at the challenges around the equipment, environment and day-to-day use, we were able to recommend a solution that offered significant advantages over their existing steel platforms. While the final solution did end up being an established, off-the-shelf SafeSmart product, Thales benefited from the experience and knowledge of our team throughout the process, helping them understand their options and ultimately find A Better Way to access their equipment. The Solution SafeSmart supplied a 45° Stair Access SMP, providing a lightweight and robust alternative to the previous steel access platforms. Manufactured from aluminium, the platform offers excellent durability in the coastal environment while eliminating the corrosion issues experienced with the previous steel equipment. The 45° Stair Access SMP also provides several practical improvements for the Thales team: Lightweight aluminium construction – easier to manoeuvre and reposition around the mine sweepers. Larger wheels – making the