In this series of articles, we will be sharing exclusive coverage from all aspects of APF 2022.
New to the APF this time around was the Kelling Group. Offering a range of MEWPs through its Access Hire brand and mobile welfare units via Welfare Hire, it caters to both forestry and arboriculture.
Its MEWP range includes CPL’s pickup-mounted platforms and demand has never been higher (if you pardon the pun).
“The availability of working-at-height vehicles is a problem for many people in many industries,” said Martin Whitehead, of Access Hire. “So people have been looking at how they can get vehicles and access units.”
Since 1992, it has been a legal requirement for workers to be provided with welfare units in the woods. And while there has been some disagreement over who has to cover the costs (but we won’t go into that here) it’s clear that awareness over the issue of welfare provision has increased in recent years.
Martin continued: “More and more health and safety regulations are coming to the forefront, and people are going to work to do their job - we want to make sure they are safe and well looked after while on site.
“People are more conscious they want to provide facilities for their staff.”
“It’s a mix. With the access side of the business, people who need to work at height. For the forestry side, the welfare units are popular.
“There are all different types of tracked units. Safety at height and safety at height is at the forefront."
Keep an eye across our channels for a full version of this interview
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