1100 Skyjack scissors for Nationwide Platforms

The order of nearly 1100 Skyjack scissors has begun to arrive at UK rental giant Nationwide Platforms.

The equipment spans five different models, including around 650 3219 scissors with 8m working heights 200 4632 models and more than 170 3226 machines.

This equipment is in addition to more than 50 6826RT and 6832 models, which have entered Nationwide's fleet since the spring. These scissor lifts provide access to heights of 10m and 12m respectively and can be driven at full height with their roll out decks fully extended.

All of the machines delivered in 2012 have been specified to Nationwide's requirements with features including additional joystick protection, drive creep speed mode switch, power to platform RCD protection and emission compliant Kubota diesel engines.

The Skyjack equipment has been purchased in recognition of the broad cross-sector applications which demand scissor lifts in peak condition.

Across the UK, the business currently has more than 5500 scissor lifts available for hire, in addition to more than 1100 low level access platforms.

Nationwide Platforms' executive director - sales and marketing, Richard Miller, said, "Investing in our fleet is a central part of our commitment to giving our customers the highest standards of service. The introduction of the new Skyjack models into our fleet will help us continue to ensure that our customers receive the market leading quality that helps set us apart as a business.

"Skyjack demonstrated a real willingness to win this large order and have worked closely to our needs to ensure our delivery schedule has been met. Throughout the deal they've remained easy to work with and highly adaptable to the needs of our business."

Nationwide Platforms fleet replenishment programme, which will see a total of nearly 1700 new units enter the fleet, will be completed this autumn.

Nationwide Platforms has also recently signed up to IPAF's scheme to report all fatal accidents connected with powered access equipment. Nationwide's managing director, Mike Potts, said, "The benefits of reporting accidents across the international industry speak for themselves, but to make improvements across the board, groups like IPAF need real, broad data to analyse and act upon.

"As a business our first priority is safety, and that's why we wholly support IPAF's efforts in driving this initiative. I hope many more businesses take the step to be a part of what is truly a pioneering programme."

Now the business aim to go a step further by beginning to report near misses to help push for further improvements in safety.