DESCRIPTION
Smiths Bletchington was concerned about the vehicle body access ladders provided by manufacturers, these varied in both design and quality from truck to truck. In most cases, having reached the top of the ladder on the vehicle body, drivers had to turn through 180° and then descend backwards into the body. The ladders could be damaged or were often slippery.
Smiths Bletchington formulated a design to allow safe access to vehicle bodies via a robust fixed platform structure. It is equipped with a set of steps that can be lowered by a winch, into the vehicle body. This enables the driver to safely descend into the vehicle body and then use a pressure washer to clean it
.An innovative self-locking gate was added to the design. This prevents the HGV driver leaving the platform until the steps are fully raised, ensuring a driver cannot forget to retract the steps before driving off.
The access platform is featured in Smiths haulier video - password:Smiths
BENEFITS
- Feedback from hauliers very positive
- Reduced risk of slips, trips and falls
- Safer working at height
- System easy to fabricate for other sites
- Safer and more efficient wagon cleaning.