MOVING, LIFTING & ORDER PICKING
F
or decades, organisations have relied on a mix of access methods, including ladders, podiums, scaffold and platforms, each chosen according to the task at hand. However, as safety culture evolves and employers place
greater emphasis on worker wellbeing, many are now taking a fresh look at the options available.
THE SCALE OF THE ISSUE Low level access (LLA) tasks may feel like a standard part of daily operations, but they carry significant risk. UK data continues to show the impact. Over the last decade, an estimated 425,000
nonfatal falls from height have occurred and around 37,000 workers self-reported a fall related injury in the last annual period. Nonfatal falls from height result in approximately 688,000 lost working days per year, costing the economy around £850 million. Falls from height can also prove fatal, and are the leading cause of death among workers, with 35 fatalities in 2024/25. No particular type of equipment is to blame
for these statistics. The causes may be multi- faceted. However, it is important to recognise that task intensity, frequency and equipment ergonomics matter when it comes to protecting people. Modern solutions such as powered access equipment may help reduce the strain on people performing these tasks and can be useful additions to equipment fleets.
WHAT IS LOW-LEVEL ACCESS? When talking about low-level access, this typically refers to a working height of 5 metres and below. This may not sound like a high elevation when compared to equipment on the market that lifts more than ten times that. However, this constitutes working at height for the purposes of safety. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guides that working at height means working anywhere where, if no precautions are taken, a worker could fall a distance liable to cause personal injury. Falls from height are not always ‘freak
accidents’. They more often can be a symptom of a failure to take the right measures, whether that is training, equipment choice, or operator behaviour. Falls tend to be predictable outcomes of predictable habits, like overreaching, carrying tools while climbing, or working one-handed to maintain balance. The HSE makes its position clear. As much
work as possible should be done from the ground, and advises organisations to follow a
WHY THE FUTURE OF LOW- LEVEL ACCESS STARTS WITH RECONSIDERING OLD HABITS
By Samuel Butterworth, Business Development Manager UK & I-LLA, JLG Industries
Across facilities management and maintenance in factories and warehouses, working at height, particularly at low levels, is a routine part of operations
simple hierarchy of control for work at height: 1. Avoid working at height where possible 2. Prevent falls using appropriate equipment 3. Minimise the distance or consequences of a fall if one occurs
Modern LLA solutions can support this hierarchy by providing stable, secure enclosed platforms, reducing the need to overreach or adopt awkward positions and eliminating the need to climb in many scenarios. For instance, choosing JLG Power Towers models may help employers and site managers to take a more controlled, consistent approach to repeated routines. It offers businesses additional routes to support compliance efforts, support workforce protection and increase flexibility in daily operations.
DESIGNED FOR PEOPLE, NOT JUST PRODUCTIVITY Today’s workforce not only expects equipment that keeps them safe, but also supports comfort, efficiency and long-term health. Modern low-level access platforms have been designed with these expectations in mind. Productivity may, therefore, be influenced by
good design. When a worker feels comfortable, supported and confident at height, the quality
30 JULY/AUGUST 2026 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
and consistency of their tasks may improve naturally. None of this diminishes the ongoing role that
ladders, scaffolds, or podiums have in many workplaces. Instead, it demonstrates how a broader selection of tools helps employers choose the right method for the right task, taking account of ergonomics, duration, reach and frequency. Every worker should also feel empowered to
ask questions about how they complete their tasks. Installers, electricians, maintenance technicians, or anyone working at height need equipment that supports them, protects them and enables them to produce their best work. Employees should have the confidence to ask:
“Is this the best way to work at height today?” Having a choice of solutions to match the task, operator, or environment is key. With a wider range of access methods,
including modern low-level access platforms, employers can support teams with equipment that fits today’s expectations of safety, ergonomics and productivity.
JLG Power Towers
www.jlg.com
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