When it comes to working at heights on construction projects, safety is paramount. Building regulations in the UK emphasise the safety of personnel working at elevated heights. But neglecting proper working facilities and equipment can lead to very unpleasant events, like people falling from heights, items falling and causing injury, and other occupational hazards.
This is why it’s crucial to consider your options carefully. Thankfully, Cherry Picker Fast offers top-notch cherry pickers with trained and certified operators to help get things done professionally.
They can come to your site for building repairs, electrical work, routine inspections, and more. But there is always this talk about whether to choose Cherry Picker Hire vs. Scaffolding.
While both serve the same purpose, it’s always best to take a closer look and understand which one serves your needs best at different stages of the project. We are going to discuss what you should consider when comparing both, and hopefully, you will be able to make an informed decision.
Factors to Consider
When deciding between cherry picker hire and scaffolding, there are several critical factors to take into account. Each option has its unique benefits and potential drawbacks, which can impact the efficiency, safety, and cost of your project. Let’s explore these factors in detail.
Safety and Stability
Safety and stability are non-negotiable when working at heights. Both cherry pickers and scaffolding offer solutions to ensure worker safety, but they do so in different ways.
- Cherry Pickers
These machines provide a stable platform and can be quickly adjusted to different heights. Cherry pickers have built-in safety features like guardrails and harness attachment points, ensuring that workers are secure while working at height.
Additionally, the risk of falling is minimised due to the enclosed nature of the cherry picker basket. If you’re worried about items falling, cherry pickers can help reduce that risk as well.
- Scaffolding
When properly erected, scaffolding offers a solid working space but requires more time to set up. It is designed to provide a stable surface for multiple workers and their tools.
However, if scaffolding is not erected correctly, it can become unstable and pose a safety hazard. Regular inspections and maintenance are required to ensure its stability and safety.
Flexibility and Access
The ability to access different areas of the construction site with ease and flexibility is crucial for many projects. This is where cherry pickers and scaffolding show significant differences.
- Cherry Pickers
These are highly flexible and can reach awkward and hard-to-access areas with ease. They are ideal for tasks that require moving up and down frequently or reaching over obstacles.
Cherry pickers can rotate and extend, allowing workers to access areas that would be difficult or impossible to reach with scaffolding.
- Scaffolding
This is ideal for larger, ongoing projects where continuous access is needed. It provides a broad, stable platform that can accommodate several workers at once, making it suitable for extensive tasks like painting, plastering, or bricklaying. However, scaffolding is stationary and must be dismantled and reassembled if moved to a different location.
Cost and Time Efficiency
Budget and time constraints are always a concern in construction projects. It’s essential to choose the option that offers the best balance between cost and time efficiency.
- Cherry Pickers
Hiring a cherry picker can be more cost-effective for short-term tasks. They can be quickly transported to the site, set up, and used without extensive preparation.
This makes them a time-efficient solution for jobs that require high mobility and quick access to heights. Plus, you can save on labour costs since fewer workers are needed to operate a cherry picker.
- Scaffolding
Though initially more expensive, scaffolding may be cost-efficient for long-term projects. The setup cost is higher due to the labour involved in erecting the structure, but once in place, it provides a stable work area for the project’s duration. This can save money over time if the project requires prolonged access to elevated areas.
Ease of Use
How easy it is to use the equipment can significantly impact project timelines and worker productivity. Both cherry pickers and scaffolding have their own requirements in terms of use.
- Cherry Pickers
These are operated by certified professionals, reducing the need for extensive training.
The operators are skilled in manoeuvring the equipment safely and efficiently, which can help speed up the project timeline and ensure compliance with safety regulations. This can be a big relief if you have tight deadlines to meet.
- Scaffolding
This requires skilled workers to erect and dismantle, which can add to the project timeline. Workers need to be trained in scaffold assembly and safety procedures, and regular inspections are necessary to maintain its integrity.
Mobility
The ability to move equipment around the site is another important consideration, especially for projects that cover large areas or multiple sites.
- Cherry Pickers
These offer high mobility, easily moving from one site to another. They are especially useful for projects that involve multiple locations or require frequent repositioning. This mobility can significantly reduce downtime and increase productivity.
- Scaffolding
This is static once erected, making it less flexible for multiple site tasks. Moving scaffolding involves dismantling and reassembling, which can be time-consuming and labour-intensive. When it comes to working at heights, Cherry Picker Fast offers professional, fast, and reliable cherry pickers for construction projects.
Whether you need to access high and hard-to-reach places for maintenance, installation, or construction, you can get the right equipment and skilled operators to meet your needs.
Important Points to Note
In the end, both cherry picker hire and scaffolding have their unique advantages and the choice depends on the specific needs of your project. For quick, flexible access to various heights, cherry pickers are often the better option. For extensive, long-term projects requiring stable platforms, scaffolding might be more suitable. Whatever your choice, remember the importance of safety and professional handling of equipment.
