Ten sockets, one ceiling
A school hall needs ten new sockets for computers. The cable runs along a ceiling that is out of reach. The job needs a way up, the right cable and the right tools, all picked before the van is loaded.
Choosing well is a skill. Forgetting one item costs a second trip.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Step ladder | a free-standing ladder for short, light jobs at a low height |
| Low-level access tower | a small, wheeled platform with rails that gives a stable place to work |
| MEWP | mobile elevating work platform, a powered lift with a cage |
| Parameters | the facts of a job, such as height, time and cable type |
| Containment | trunking, tray or conduit that holds and protects cable |
| Cabinet | a locked cupboard that holds cable equipment |
| Rack | an open metal frame with rails that holds equipment |
| Manufacturer's guidelines | the maker's own rules for using a tool safely |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can pick a way to reach a work area, name the fixtures a job needs, and choose tools from the facts.
Starter: tools
Have a go
Starter: tools
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Ways to reach a work area
| Equipment | Best for | Take care |
|---|---|---|
| Step ladder | A short, light job at low height | Firm, level floor. Do not overreach |
| Low-level access tower | Longer or heavier work at low height | Built to the maker's guide. Wheels locked |
| MEWP | Large halls and high ceilings | Only trained, authorised people operate it |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Work at height: the order of choice
Under the Work at Height Regulations 2005, the first question is: can the job be done from the ground? If not, pick equipment that gives the most protection for the job.
A ladder is for short, light work. A longer job calls for a tower. A tall space needs a MEWP.
Fixtures and fittings a job may need
A cabling job also needs somewhere to put equipment. A cabinet can arrive prebuilt or as a flat pack you build. A rack is an open frame. Containment is trunking or tray that holds cable along its route.
A later lesson shows how these are built and fitted.
Check: reaching and fitting
Have a go
Check: reaching and fitting
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.