The Ultimate Guide to Podium Step Hire

Things to consider

• The work to be done – the need to adjust your working position while at height will determine whether you need podium steps. The nature of the work will also influence their height, type and size.
• The rules and regulations on working at height and hazardous areas – when you hire podium steps, you need to make sure they comply with all the laws on working at height and working in areas where hazardous chemicals, gases and electricity are present.

Introduction

Those of you looking to work at height, there is a wide range of access equipment available for hire. Whereas scaffold towers are used more for exterior jobs such as painting a house or roof repairs, podium steps are ideal for reaching smaller heights, tasks such as changing light bulbs, fixing vents, air-con maintenance and the like.

So why use podium steps? According to the Health and Safety Executive, on average 50 people in Great Britain die each year as a result of a fall from height, and nearly 9,000 are seriously injured. Podium steps keep you safe, they provide a secure way of reaching difficult heights where a ladder would not be appropriate or sufficiently safe.

Lakeside-Hire provide a wide range of PAS 250 podium steps to hire as outlined in this guide. Popular podiums such as the mark 1, delta decks, desk surfers and adjusta minits are all available for hire nationwide.

What are podium steps?

Manufactured to the very highest specification, podium steps are made from lightweight aluminium materials making them very strong but also easily manoeuvrable. Similar to ladders, podiums have vertical or inclined steps but with a platform at the top to stand on. This platform is surrounded by guard rails to protect workers from falling, preventing injury. Available to hire in a wide range of sizes and specifications, podium steps can be more versatile than a ladder.

Mark 1 Podium Step Hire

From only £30.80 / week

• Certified to EN131
• Available next day delivery, London and nationwide

Mark 1 podium hire

GRP Podium Steps

GRP podium steps are made from glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), rather than aluminium. GRP is also known as fibreglass and is stronger and denser than many metals. Its most important qualities are that it’s non-conducting, non-sparking, non-oxidising and resistant to chemical corrosion. When working in sensitive areas whereby electricity, hazardous chemicals and potentially explosive gases are present (Zone 1), these fibreglass podiums are the ideal choice.

The legal requirements for podium steps

The first piece of law you need to consider is the Work at Height Regulations 2005. These apply to all work where there is a risk of personal injury from a fall from height. They place duties on anyone controls work at height activity, such as employers, facilities managers and building owners.

Those in control of work at height have to ensure the following:

• all work at height is properly planned and organised
• those involved in work at height are competent
• the risks from work at height are assessed
• appropriate equipment is used, inspected and maintained
• the risks of working on or near fragile surfaces are properly managed.

But the first thing to be considered is the “hierarchy of controls”. This means going through three simple steps:

• 1. Avoid working at height by doing as much work as you can from the ground.
• 2. If you can’t do the job without working at height, use appropriate access and safety equipment such as podium steps, ladders, scaffolding and scissor lifts.
• 3. If the risk of a fall can’t be eliminated, do what you reasonably can to minimise the distance and consequences of the fall.

By offering safe low-level height access for wide range of jobs, podium steps help you stay within the law on working at height. They typically feature safety chains and guard rails to provide a safe enclosure for workers while they are standing on the podium. In all cases they have to conform to the European Standard EN131. This covers portable steps and ladders made from metal and GRP and sets out minimum safety requirements.

Employers must also consider whether their workers are in a “hazardous area” while working at height. In this context, the other relevant laws are the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR) and the Equipment and Protective Systems for Use in Potentially Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 1996 (EPS Regulations).

DSEAR requires employers to control the risks to safety from fire, explosions and corrosive substances. In particular, they have to assess the risk posed by any dangerous substance in the workplace and, where an explosive atmosphere may occur, they must classify the area as Zone 0, Zone 1 or Zone 2.

• Zone 0 is an area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods.
• Zone 1 is an area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is likely to occur as a result of normal operations.
• Zone 2 is an area in which an explosive gas atmosphere is not likely to occur as a result of normal operations and, if it does, it will only last a short time.

Employers must then select equipment and protective systems that are appropriate for working in each of the zones and meet the EPS Regulations. In turn, the EPS Regulations place a duty on manufacturers to supply equipment that is suitable for working in the different zones.

This is when GRP podium steps are called upon. They are designed for industrial work in Zone 1 and Zone 2 environments because the fibreglass will not spark, will not conduct electricity, will not oxidise or corrode, and is resistant to chemicals. They are specially produced for use near live electricity, in explosive atmospheres, around corrosive substances and in hygiene-sensitive environments such as food production areas.

The benefits of podium steps

These are some benefits of using podium steps:

• Lightweight and easily manoeuvrable, made from strong aluminium.
• Using free-standing podiums is much safer than many ladders. Ladders typically lean against walls and posts for support, a less secure system for working at height.
• More flexible than ladders; they have platforms that allow you to adjust your working position while at height, as opposed to moving the whole unit as you would with a ladder.
• Enclosed with guard rails and safety chains so that users are not working on an unguarded platform, and can move around safely.
• Handy and mobile. They are often adjustable or come in several heights.
• Many podium steps can be erected in less than 15 seconds, and are easier to set up than scaffold towers.
• GRP podium steps are suitable for use in Zone 1 environments and areas where chemicals and high-voltage electricity are present.

Tips before hiring

Before hiring a pristine cleaned podium step, check to ensure that they are EN131-certified, conform to HSE guidelines, and are suitable for use in your working environment, especially if it’s Zone 1. You should make sure you source your steps from a trusted and reliable supplier that will deliver on time and to budget.

Lakeside-Hire offers podiums steps from 1 Metre through to 1.9m. All our podiums conform to EN131 standards and all relevant health and safety rules and guidelines.

The majority of podium steps have wheels at the rear for easy transportation and a wide working platform of 400mm by 600mm, offering good working position flexibility. The standing platform is strong and stable and a safety chain fits behind the user to provide a full 360-degree enclosure. The unit is also fitted with anti-surf devices for additional stability.

For more information about podium steps hire, please call us on 01708 866566 or you can request a call back.

FAQs about podium steps hire

1. What is the PAS 250 regulation?

PAS, which stands for Publicly Available Specification, was introduced by PASMA to ensure access equipment safety. The 250 part of this particular regulation relates to the height of access equipment – in this case, it’s 2.5m.

PAS 250 is a regulation that applies to low-level work platforms with one working platform with side protection for use by one person with a maximum working platform height of less than 2.5m. This particular regulation doesn’t apply to any other type or style of product.

However the PAS 250 regulation has now been superseded by EN131, which is the newer updated regulation for podium steps.

Lakeside-Hire ensure all our podium steps comply with PAS 250 and EN131 regulations.

2. When should I use GRP podium steps rather than the aluminium type?

When you are working at height in Zone 1 environments, as well as hygiene-sensitive areas and any area where live electricity or hazardous substances are present. GRP is the only appropriate material for these areas because it is non-conductive, non-sparking, non-oxidising and resistant to corrosion.

3. Why are podium steps better than ladders?

Podium steps are safer than ladders because they are free-standing and comprise an enclosed working platform.

4. What is a anti-surf podium step?

Anti-surf means the podium comes with two slip resistant feet to ensure the product cannot be moved when in use.

5. Podium step hire price – Do you give discounts?

Whether you are a domestic or commercial customer, Lakeside-Hire provide the same highly discounted rates for podium step hire nationwide. You don’t need a big corporate account to hire with us, just give our hire desk team a call today and we will help you find the right equipment for the job. For longer hirers of 3 weeks or more, we can give you free delivery.

6. Why should I hire podium steps from Lakeside-Hire?

For all these reasons…

• Our podiums are EN131-certified, HSE-compliant and suitable for industrial use in environments where electricity and chemicals are present, including Zone 1 areas (When hiring GRP podiums).
• Our prices are extremely discounted. In most cases, Lakeside-Hire prices are 69% lower than all of our competitors.
• We offer next day delivery nationwide, as well as booking slots available in London.
• When you hire podiums for 3 weeks or more, we’ll deliver your steps for free!
• Multiple platform height and size options available. We have the correct podium for the job.
• Some steps have anti-surf devices for extra stability and transport.