In industrial and agricultural settings, accessing tall equipment like tanks, silos and cooling towers is a regular but often hazardous task. Whether you’re overseeing a fire sprinkler tank, a grain silo, or a cooling tower, ensuring your team can reach key components safely is non-negotiable.
Falls from height remain one of the leading causes of workplace injuries in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) states that any ladder over 9 metres must incorporate rest platforms at appropriate intervals. For many sites, this isn’t just best practice; it’s a legal and moral requirement.
With decades of experience in manufacturing integrated storage and access systems, we ensure that ladders and rest platforms are more than just an optional add-on. They’re a practical, built-in part of every tall structure we deliver.
How Ladders and Rest Platforms Improve Equipment Access Safety
Ladders and rest platforms provide essential support in achieving equipment access safety. Beyond basic access, these systems offer secure, stable points of movement that reduce the risk of slips and falls. Rest platforms give workers the chance to pause, particularly on long vertical climbs, which helps to reduce physical fatigue – one of the leading contributors to on-site accidents.
Platforms are positioned to align with both HSE regulations and site-specific operational needs, ensuring compliance while supporting efficient workflow. Having easy, reliable access also simplifies regular maintenance. That means safer teams and fewer delays for essential servicing.
Where Access Systems Are Used on Site
Across all kinds of industrial systems, ladders and rest platforms support safe access without interrupting ongoing operations.
Water storage tanks, including those used for fire suppression, potable water and process applications, are often installed with fixed ladders and intermediate platforms. These allow inspection teams to work quickly and safely.
In silos, where access is needed for grain sensors or inspection hatches, platforms placed at custom intervals provide safe working zones at height. Our approach balances access and safety at every level.
For cooling towers, consistent maintenance is critical. Exposure to heat, moisture and treatment chemicals makes material choice vital. Our platforms are engineered to resist corrosion and perform in harsh conditions.
In each case, the role of ladders and rest platforms goes beyond access, they’re a built-in safeguard for long-term performance and compliance.
Design and Material Considerations
When working at height, strength and reliability are essential. Our ladders and platforms are built from galvanised steel and other weather-resistant materials to deliver durable performance over time.
Each system is fabricated to suit the specific environment, with modular components that allow for flexible installation in tight or awkward spaces. This is particularly useful in retrofit projects or on legacy sites where footprint is limited. Platform heights are based on HSE requirements and the unique layout of your equipment.
Crucially, all access systems are structurally integrated with the tank or silo. That means nothing is compromised – not safety, not access, not system integrity.
Why Franklin Hodge’s Access Safety Approach Works
Our legacy of engineering across more than 21,000 installations means we understand what each site needs. From agricultural estates to complex industrial operations, we’ve delivered access solutions that work and last.
Every project is supported from start to finish, starting with a site survey and ending with long-term maintenance and service. Our reputation for engineered quality makes us a preferred choice for contractors, consultants and clients seeking full compliance with no corner cutting.
Make Safety Part of the Plan
Accessing tall equipment shouldn’t come with compromise. Whether you’re managing an upgrade or planning a new installation, ladders and rest platforms must be part of your thinking from day one.
Well-designed systems support safer working, smoother inspections and simpler compliance. If you’re reviewing your approach to equipment access safety, our experts at Franklin Hodge are here to help you find the right solution.
