Access Platforms: Scissor, Articulating and Telescopic

Work at height is one of the areas where accidents happen most often. Using a personnel access platform instead of erecting scaffolding is both faster and far safer — provided you choose the right platform. This guide covers the most common access platform types and what each is suited to.

Scissor Lift

Named after the scissor-shaped mechanism that opens and closes beneath it. It rises vertically only.

• What it does: Straight-up access for ceiling, façade, warehouse racking, lighting and services work.
• Strength: A wide working basket that can carry more than one person plus material; stable.
• Weakness: It only goes up — it cannot reach behind an obstacle or out to the side.
• Types: Electric (indoors, level floors) and diesel/rough-terrain (open, uneven sites).
• When to choose it: When going straight up in a clear, level area is all you need.

Articulating Boom (Knuckle Boom)

With its folding articulated arm, this platform both rises and reaches over or around an obstacle.

• What it does: Working at points that are hard to reach — extending behind an obstacle, clearing projections on a façade.
• Strength: "Up and over" access; a flexible working angle.
• When to choose it: When you cannot park directly underneath and need to reach a point behind an obstacle.

Telescopic Boom

With its straight telescopic arm, this platform delivers the greatest height and the longest reach.

• What it does: Working at very high and distant points such as tall façades, bridges and industrial plants.
• Strength: The greatest vertical and horizontal reach.
• When to choose it: When you need to reach both high and far along a straight line.

Truck-Mounted Platform

A truck-mounted access platform that positions quickly.

• What it does: Street lighting, tree pruning, signage and short maintenance jobs.
• Strength: Reaches site under its own power, sets up quickly, moves from point to point.
• When to choose it: For short, repeated work at height across different locations.

Decision Table

Health and Safety at Height

An access platform improves safety but is not sufficient on its own. The critical rules:

• A harness and a suitable anchor point are mandatory.
• Ground bearing capacity and slope must always be checked.
• Wind directly limits platform use.
• Capacity (people plus material weight) must never be exceeded.

A Note on Renting

Access platforms can mostly be rented without an operator, for the renter's own team to use; on high or complex work, however, the operated option is safer. On Kiramak, the choice between operated and non-operated is left to you. A start record with a photograph and location is created at the beginning of the job, and that record protects both the machine and you.

Summary

• Straight up → scissor lift
• Behind an obstacle → articulating boom
• Highest and furthest → telescopic boom
• Quick work at many points → truck-mounted platform

Kiramak is launching soon, and you will be able to compare access platforms on price and availability. Be the first to know when the app goes live — join the early access list.

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