I'd like to pick members brains as I have a gut feeling I'm right but want to check. We use tower scaffolds on base plates to gain access to balconies on the first and second floor. The balconies have wrought iron railings around them. We cannot gain access from inside the building by walking through the tenants property, the safety of operatives is a huge factor here. So, it was arranged that operatives would climb off the scaffold onto the balcony to undertake repairs etc. The scaffold was tied to the balcony but only with a webbing strap and the operatives were instructed to put on a harness (but failed to do this in some cases). I stopped this practice in the interim until I could determine a safer method. I wondered about building the tower up another lift, fixing it to the balcony parapet with proper scaffold ties and ensuring the gap between the scaffold and the balcony parapet was covered so the operatives effectively had to climb down onto the balcony. Oh, they also have to move substances and equipment onto the balcony via this route. When we access a roof we use a similar system with the tower built up to the gutter level and guard rails on the roof to the ridge to provide a fully enclosed and guarded work space. If this can be achieved to access the balconies I'd feel a lot more content. What do those in the industry think and do you have any designs that might work? Many thanks and Happy New Year all

My personal thoughts are the manufacturer of the tower would take exception to the way you assembled their product. These towers are made to be WORKING platforms, not ACCESS platforms and as such, there should be 4 guardrails on every level and NO climbing above or over the top guard rail. Wrong piece of kit for the job imo and you need a staircase that allows SAFE access from the ground to the working floor level like this. http://i147.photobucket....oon/Haki_zps1189dac3.png I've no affiliation with any manufacturer.

I would also go down that route. However, the fact they have used towers in the past makes me think it may not be practicable. This could be due to access problems as there may still be a need to climb over the railings using this method. One other potential problem for the OP is the use of harnesses. What does he expect them to attach to? The tower itself? Never The wrought iron railings? No. I'll assume the OP hasn't had them tested and they might even be the piece of equipment that requires work doing on them. More info please spritlove.

Me too if it can be justified.. but if there are no suitable anchors for harnesses, or a MEWP can't get close enough or there is not enough space to manouvere it, and ladders are obviously no use here, Then a full scaff it is!

Thanks all. Yes you are correct, MEWPs are impractical as the area around the building has walls, fences etc. The work involves painting and repairs to rendering of the overhang of the balcony above so there is a limited gap in which to get a MEWP. Also not happy with climbing out of a MEWP for the same reasons not happy about climbing off a tower scaffold. The work duration is maybe only a day before the tower is moved to the next building (flats with two floors above ground floor) so a full scaffold would seriously delay the job. I agree the tower is designed to be worked from and not as an access route, does anyone know of something that would fit the bill? If the tower is built with an additional lift to enable climbing down onto the balcony, the height might not fall within the gap between the railings and the overhang above. I like the steps idea but they would still need to climb over the balcony railings. I don't think we could get around this, whatever means of access is found to be more suitable. Do the steps come in a "kit" form like towers? thanks

They wouldn't need to climb over the railings. There would be a platform above the railings and steps down to the balcony floor. Your guys wouldn't be able to assemble them without suitable training.

This is where the request for more info is paramount. We can make all the suggestions in the world but without full info, we are all 2nd guessing. If it's not possible to post pictures up on here, let the OP PM people on this thread with photo's of the balcony area etc.

We have been informed by the landlord that we cannot gain access to the property. Either the individual sleeps until mid afternoon and / or there are concerns around violence, drugs, alcohol, vicious guard dogs etc etc. The operatives would need additonal escorts even if they were allowed in or if the tenant is awkward and denies access it delays or prevents the job. All access scaffold has to be removed each night and re-erected each morning, nothing can be left accessible out of hours. You get a good mental picture of the area we're working in???????? I think, having read the responses that the main issue is that what we have is a working platform not an access method. I shall seriously consider the stepped scaffold and see what the scaffold designers have available as that looks like a distinct possibility. Thanks for the responses and assistance, much appreciated.

Spritlove What happens when your operative wakes up the grumpy bad tempered tenant who then lets his vicious dog out onto the balcony? There is clearly a safe path to the balcony through the building, tell the landlord to provide your team safe access or walk away from the job - not worth the hassle. When working for a housing association we had similar problems - we tended to go in with a minimum of three tradesmen plus housing officer.

Firstly, you have identified a hazard, was this whilst you were carrying out the RAMS. Secondly, any scaffold structure tied to a building & oner a certain height should be designed. Also the tower tied with straps, this is a concern, who ties the straps, if there were an accident I feel the organisation is leaving themselves open to a substantial claim, as they must provide suitable access & egress to the workplace & must provide the appropriate equipment. I would stop the works & carry out a thorough Risk assessment, create a method statement, taking into account the Work at height regs, Harness should only be used as a last resort. MrH&s