Podium Step

For essential maintenance andrepair work, these podium stepsprovide low level height accesswith full guardrail protection

Code 80838

Podium Step

Operating & Safety Guide 302Operating & Safety Guide 302

302/01302/01

©HSS Hire Service Group Ltd 2010 No. 302/01

Group Office: 25 Willow Lane, Mitcham, Surrey CR4 4TS

Web Site: http://www.hss.com

…any comments?If you have any suggestions to enable us to improve the

information within this guide please e-mail your comments orwrite to the Safety Guide Manager at the address below

e-mail: safety@hss.com

... have you been trainedThe law requires that personnel using this type of equipment

must be competent and qualified to do so. Training is available atHSS Training Solutions

0845 766 7799

EQUIPMENT CARE

FINISHING OFF

Never push the equipment beyond its design limits. If itwill not do what you want with reasonable ease and speed,assume you have the wrong tool for the job. Contact yourlocal HSS Hire for advice.Keep the equipment clean, you will find this less of achore if you clean it regularly, rather than wait until the endof the hire period.When not in use, store the equipment somewhere clean,dry and safe from thieves and unauthorised users.

Exit the podium step and close it simply the reverse wayexplained in Opening the Podium Step section.Collect all parts together and give them a final clean upready for return, to your local HSS Hire.

Check all 4 castors are secure and thefixing bolts are tightened correctly.

Check all 4 wheel brakes operate and lockthe wheel and castor into position.

Check the tubes and aluminiumcomponents of the podium step. Thereshould not be any cracks or excessivedents or distortion.

Check there is free movement of all hingepoints of the podium step.

Check the plywood platform. There shouldnot be excessive contamination, cracking,holes or damage, including any missing ordamaged rivet fixings.

Check the following podium step lockingmechanisms are operating and lockingcorrectly. Ladder claws and locks, gateclaw and lock, rear folding frame elbowlocking joints and the platform lockingtabs.

Make sure the total load (1 person plustools & materials) should not be more than150kg.

Make sure the 4 castors are pointingoutwards and the wheel brakes are locked.

Check the access ladder is locatedcorrectly.

Make sure the podium step is on flat, level,dry and firm ground.

Make sure the podium step is correctlypositioned to avoid over reaching.

Make sure the platform is at the correctheight.

Make sure the safety gate is shut andlocked once you are on the platform.

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PRE-OPERATION CHECKLIST

WIND DESCRIPTION

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13.

No Gap

ALTERING THE PLATFORM HEIGHT

Ensure theplatform is

towards theback of the unit andin contact with therear foldingguardrail frame.

1

Using theladder

section, climbonto the platformof the podium step.

2

RELEASING THE GATE CLOSING THE GATE

Release the locking clawand rotate the gate to theposition shown.

Close the gate ensuring thelocking claw has engaged.

Rotate the platformupwards and unlock

both platform retainingplates.

1 Position the platformat the lower level.2

Push the platform towards theback of the unit until it is in

contact with the rear foldingguardrail frame. Lock the platformretaining plates.

3

Never stand on the guardrails, boxes, stepladders orother objects on the platform, to gain additionalworking height.Never suspend the podium step from another structureor level.Never use the podium step as a method of gainingaccess to another structure or level.

For advice on the safety and suitability of thisequipment contact your local HSS Hire.There is a serious risk of personal injury if you do notfollow all instructions laid down in this guide.The hirer has a responsibility to ensure that allnecessary risk assessments have been completed priorto the use of this equipment.This equipment should only be used by an operatorwho has been deemed competent to do so by his/heremployer.This equipment is designed to be used by an able bodied,competent adult who has read and understood theseinstructions. Anyone with either a temporary or permanentdisability should seek expert advice before using it.Keep children, animals and bystanders away from thework area. Cordon off a NO GO area using cones andeither barriers or tape, available for hire from your localHSS Hire.

Never use this equipment if you are ill, feelingtired, or under the influence of alcohol or

drugs.Wear practical, protective clothing,gloves, footwear and a protective hard

hat. Avoid loose garments and jewellery that could catch inmoving parts, tie back long hair.Do not work near flammable gases or liquids, petrol orpaint thinner fumes for example. Make sure you know how to use this equipment safelyand are aware of its limitations before you use it. Make sure that everyone is warned of what you aredoing.Never overload the podium step. The podium stepmaximum safe working load is 150kg. This includes anytools and materials.The maximum number of occupants must not exceedone. Never use the podium step if any part is damaged orshows signs of excessive wear.Never move the podium step when a person is standingon it.Never over-reach or lean too far over the side of thepodium step.Never use the podium step near overhead power linesor similar hazards.Never carry out jobs that require excessive sidewaysforce. Forces should never exceed 10kg when working withthe side of the podium step towards the work. Excessivesideways forces may cause the podium step to overturn orthe wheels to slip.Never lean anything against the podium step e.g.ladders, steps or materials.Never climb up outside of the guardrail.Never stand the podium step on soft, loose, slippery,sloping or uneven ground.Never use the podium step outside in heavy rain orstrong winds (see Wind description).

GENERAL SAFETY

IDENTIFIER

GETTING STARTEDNever use the podium step until you have fully read andunderstood this User Guide and the podium step has beenproperly set up using the information it contains.Before you start using podium step make sure that the floorarea where the podium is to be erected is able to bear itsweight and the weight of any load.When moving and positioningthe podium step, ensure that all 4wheel brakes are unlocked.The podium step weights 39kg, so you may need help if you need to lift theequipment.

WARNINGNEVER MOVE OR POSITION THE PODIUM STEP WHENANYONE IS STANDING ON THE PLATFORM OR THEREARE TOOLS OR ANY OTHER OBJECTS THAT CAN FALL

DOWN WHILE THE PLATFORM IS IN MOTION

BASIC TECHNIQUESOPENING THE PODIUM STEP

POSITIONING THE LADDER

Place theclosed unit

in the uprightposition. Unlockall 4 castors.

1

Release thelocking claw

that locks thetwo side framestogether.

2

Open the sideframes, which

will allow therear foldingguardrail frame tounfold. Ensure therear folding frame isfully open and bothelbow joints arelocked.

3

Slide theplatform

towards thefront of the unit (theopen end) so thatthe platform claw isclear of the retainingbar.

4

Rotate the platformdown and locate the

platform claws on thehorizontal member of theright hand side frame. Pushthe platform back towards theback of the unit until it is incontact with the rear foldingguardrail frame. Ensure theclaws are sitting on the tube and not the plates.

4

Remove theladder by

releasing theladder locking taband the two lockingclaws, situated atthe top of theladder frame.

1

Locate theladder claws

over the spigotson the left and righthand side frame.Ensure the clawsare locked.

2

Rotate theladder down,

using the clawsas pivots. Locatethe bottom of theladder over thebase frame asshown below.

3

ACCESSING THE PODIUM STEPLock all four wheel brakes, with all of the castors pointingoutwards, as shown in the diagram:

Never climb on the podium step until you havechecked the following:

1. The ladder is secure and positioned correctly.

2. The platform is secure and positioned correctly.

3. All four castors are positioned correctly.

4. All four castors wheels are locked.