If you’re in construction, warehousing and maintenance and have a fleet of elevated work platforms, you’ll know the value of keeping them in excellent condition. Whether you use truck-mounted EWP’s, scissor lifts, spider lifts or boom lifts, you want them operating smoothly and running safely. That’s where elevated work platform servicing is crucial.
Altequip has been servicing elevated work platforms for many years, and we know that being able to rely on your equipment is everything! Let’s take a look at three reasons why EWP servicing is so important.
Why Regular Elevated Platform Servicing is Crucial
Safety is first and foremost in our approach to everything in this industry. Nothing is more important than keeping your team safe from harm – maintaining your machinery is a direct way of doing this. Here are some other reasons.
1. Safety Compliance
WorkSafe regulations and Australian Standards (AS 2550.10) require routine EWP maintenance. This includes periodic inspections for regularly used equipment, annual major inspections and 10-year major inspections. Not staying compliant can lead to fines, accidents and work stoppages that can get expensive.
2. Minimizing Downtime
Talking of expensive, all operators know how costly downtime can be. Regular maintenance helps to identify problems early and rectify them before they snowball into something more serious. No project delays, and no expensive breakdown fixes.
3. Extending Equipment Lifespan
Elevated work platforms are put through their paces on busy sites and a lot of wear and tear happens. Treating your gear right with regular servicing will help extend its lifespan, improve efficiency on your worksite and reduce costly repairs. Your machine will function better and serve you well for years to come.
What Does EWP Servicing Include?
From your own visual checks every day to major structural and mechanical reviews, EWP servicing is an ongoing process with multiple facets. These include:
Routine Inspections
Daily, weekly, and monthly checks can help identify wear and tear early. EWP operators should inspect the controls, brakes, tyres, safety features, and fluid levels before using the machine. Anything amiss needs to be reported and rectified.
Scheduled Services
If you use your elevated work platform regularly, it’s highly advisable to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations on servicing schedules. According to Australian Standards, this should be every 90 Days, plus a more comprehensive service every 365 days.
Major Inspections (10-Year Inspection)
This is a big one! If your platform has given you ten years of service, it’s owed a major inspection. This includes a full structural and mechanical review, where it’s ensured it continues to meet the safety standards and that all key components are working properly. This inspection is critical for safe long term use, as well as being required by law. After 10 years, this inspection is due every 5 years thereafter.
EWP Regulatory and Compliance Requirements
Let’s go a bit deeper into the regulatory requirements around elevated work platform servicing and keeping your gear in good condition. Businesses have strict safety and legal responsibilities and must follow workplace health and safety (WHS) laws to reduce risks and keep workers safe. These include:
Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) Obligations
If you’re an employer running EWPs, managing the risks is down to you. Machine operators need to have received proper training, be appropriately licenced and must follow safety procedures before operating any EWP. The machinery itself needs to be subject to regular pre-operational, routine, and major inspections.
Record-Keeping for Audits
It’s essential that all inspections, servicing, and repairs are thoroughly documented, with detailed records kept. This proves your equipment is well maintained, and will be required during a safety audit. At Altequip we create and store a complete service history with records of all the work undertaken on your equipment, these will be supplied to you for your records.
Choosing the Right Elevated Work Platform Servicing Provider in Brisbane
We’ve established how important elevated work platform servicing is. For quality servicing that helps you meet your safety and compliance standards, you need to find the right service provider. Here are a few questions you can ask them to determine if they’re up to the task.
Experience and Certifications
Do they have qualified technicians with the industry experience to back it up?
At Altequip, we have been in this industry for well over a decade. There’s not much we haven’t seen. No matter what your industry sector is, we can help keep your equipment in good shape.
We are also the official Australian and New Zealand distributor of Socage EWPs, and can offer full warranty support and factory backed servicing if you use their range of Raptor Spiders or truck mounted EWP’s.
Mobile and On-Site Servicing
On-site repairs and servicing can help minimise downtime and keep your operations running smoothly. If you have a large fleet of EWP’s, for example a hiring company, the Altequip team can perform on-site maintenance to help streamline your workflow.
Genuine Instead of Aftermarket Parts
Genuine manufacturer spare parts ensure better performance and longevity. Check that your EWP servicing centre offers these before you book in. At Altequip, we stock spare parts for the Socage range, and can source genuine spare parts for other brands too.
Emergency Breakdown Support
An unexpected breakdown can really ruin a day, a week, or even months! We get it, and we’re here to help. We respond as fast as we can to breakdown callouts, managing time and personnel constraints as best we can. Rest assured, getting you operational again is our priority!
Signs Your EWP Needs Immediate Attention
There are a lot of moving parts to an elevated work platform, which means a lot can go wrong. Here are some simple signs that indicate something is amiss.
Unusual Noises or Vibrations
Loud sounds or unusual vibrations could be the signs of mechanical failure or internal wear. Get it checked out straight away.
Hydraulic Leaks or Loss of Power
Hydraulics are an important component of EWPs. Do regular spot checks to see if there are any oil leaks from the hydraulics. A sudden loss of power could also indicate a problem with the hydraulics.
Jerky or Slow Operation
If your machine is moving in a jerky manner, or slower than it normally moves, there could be a problem with the motor, the control system or the hydraulics.
Faulty Controls or Sensor Errors
A malfunctioning control panel or sensor errors are a clear indication that maintenance and/or repairs are required. Book it in ASAP as this could be a safety concern.
Trust Altequip for Expert EWP Servicing in Brisbane
Alequip is here to keep your elevated work platforms in the best possible condition. We want to help keep your organisation safe and compliant, as well as efficient and profitable! Regular servicing and maintenance is essential to achieving this.
Our Brisbane EWP servicing workshop is located in Geebung, North Brisbane, and we also have mobile techs who can perform fleet servicing at your place of work.
We’re also here to answer any of your questions about the EWP industry and what’s available for your business. Get in touch today to book an inspection or ask us any elevated work platform questions!
