Work platforms – often also referred to as mobile work platforms or personnel lifts – safely bring people and their tools to hard-to-reach areas. In concrete demolition, during gutting works, and for precise cutting at height, they enable controlled work on components, utility lines, beams, and façades. In combination with hydraulic handheld tools from Darda GmbH such as concrete demolition shear, rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter, hydraulic shear, Multi Cutters, steel shear, or cutting torch, material can be separated selectively, with low vibration levels, and with high accuracy. This is particularly relevant in existing buildings, industrial facilities, and sensitive environments where vibrations, sparks, or dust must be minimized.
Definition: What is a work platform
A work platform is a technically secured, mobile or stationary platform for lifting persons into a working position. Typical designs include scissor lifts (vertical lift), articulating and telescopic platforms (with boom and lateral reach), truck- and trailer-mounted platforms, as well as compact crawler or spider platforms. Characteristic features include a work basket with controls, defined load capacity, outreach, ground clearance, and safety functions such as tilt and load monitoring. Work platforms differ from scaffolding through their mobility and temporary use at changing points. In deconstruction and assembly works, they are used to safely reach elevated components, to release them in a controlled manner, and to remove them.
Types and designs of work platforms
The choice of work platform depends on working height, lateral reach, load capacity, subsoil, emission requirements, and space constraints. For combination with hydraulic tools, the usable payload (persons plus tool plus accessories) is decisive, as are the motion dynamics and stability under lateral loads.
- Scissor platforms: vertical lift, large platform area, suitable for ceiling openings, utility runs, and façade surfaces.
- Articulating-telescopic platforms: overcome projections, ideal for working over obstacles in halls, shafts, and areas close to the structural frame.
- Telescopic platforms: large reach outdoors, suitable for façades and elevated components.
- Truck-/trailer-mounted platforms: high mobility for changing sites.
- Crawler/spider platforms: low ground bearing pressure, tight access, sensitive floors, interiors, and existing slabs.
Load capacity, reaction forces, and tool selection
The basket payload must safely accommodate the total weight of persons, tools, hydraulic hose line bundles, hydraulic power pack, and mounting materials. Tools such as concrete demolition shear, hydraulic shear, Multi Cutters, or steel shear generate reaction forces that act on body posture, platform, and the component. Low-vibration methods—such as separating with concrete demolition shear or splitting with rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter—reduce vibrations in the structure and improve working conditions on the platform.
Applications: precise work at height
Work platforms are useful wherever controlled handwork at height is the best approach. This applies to both large-format components and details such as built-in components, reinforcement, utility lines, tanks, or bearings.
Concrete demolition and special deconstruction
In selective deconstruction, ceiling edges, beam haunches, balcony slabs, column heads, and brackets can be released section by section from the platform. Concrete demolition shear separates concrete and reinforcement (rebar) in a controlled way, while rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter open massive cross-sections without impact energy. Disassembly is carried out into manageable segments that are secured before the final cut. This reflects established practices in concrete demolition and special deconstruction.
Gutting and cutting
In industrial halls and buildings, ducts, pipes, cable trays, fire dampers, partition walls, and machine foundations are reached. Multi Cutters and hydraulic shear cut mixed materials; steel shear and cutting torch separate steel parts and vessels. Work platforms provide a safe stance for marked, low-spark cutting.
Rock excavation and tunnel construction
In shafts, caverns, and tunnels, compact platforms allow access near the tunnel face, to the crown, and to anchorage points. To open rock or concrete areas with low vibration levels, rock wedge splitter can be used in a targeted manner. The low bearing pressure of crawler platforms is advantageous on uneven or sensitive ground.
Natural stone extraction
At quarry faces, work platforms serve positioning on partial areas, for example to introduce boreholes for split cylinders or for securing and marking. Work is performed section by section, with particular attention to anchorage and fall protection.
Special deployment
With tight access, overbuilt areas, and in incident or remediation projects, work platforms enable targeted access to the intervention point. Low-spark, cold cutting methods and low-vibration splitting technology minimize impacts on the surroundings, utility lines, and sensitive installations.
Work platform and concrete demolition shear: working at height
Concrete demolition shear are used on the work platform when concrete components are to be removed or separated step by step. Decisive factors are a suitable shear size, safe guidance, and a matched hydraulic supply.
- Secure the area, check the bearing capacity of the subsoil and the platform, define a rescue concept.
- Inspect the component, define the separation cut sequence, define anchorage points, and pre-secure segments.
- Position Darda GmbH hydraulic power pack (in the basket only with sufficient load capacity and approval; alternatively on the ground), set up stress-free hose routing.
- Mark the shear approach, work from the edge toward the core, consider reaction forces on posture and basket.
- Work the reinforcement in a controlled manner (cut or bite off), lower or remove the segment.
- Finally clean edges, release fixings, clear the work area.
The controlled, sectional approach reduces the overturning moment on the component and keeps additional loads for the platform low.
Rock and concrete splitters on the work platform
Hydraulic rock and concrete splitters work with hydraulically generated splitting force in prepared boreholes. They produce virtually no vibrations and no impact energy. On the work platform, they are suitable for subdividing massive components into segments, opening joints, or creating predetermined crack lines. The sequence is: drill, insert split cylinder, split in a controlled way, secure and release the segment. The method is quiet, precise, and gentle on adjacent components—an advantage for work in occupied buildings, production areas, or listed structures.
Tools, hydraulic power packs, and power supply
Hydraulic power packs from Darda GmbH deliver the required flow rates and pressures for concrete demolition shear, hydraulic shear, Multi Cutters, steel shear, cutting torch, as well as split cylinders. For operation on or next to the platform, the following applies:
- Installation in the basket only if load capacity, dimensions, and manufacturer clearance allow it.
- Alternative: power pack on the ground; hose bundles with chafe protection, short and kink-free routing, with deflection if necessary.
- Energy: electric (suitable for interiors, low emissions), engine-driven (outdoors), or hybrid—depending on site and ventilation conditions.
- Secure pressure and return/drain lines, keep couplings clean, release hydraulic pressure before reconfiguring.
Planning, structural analysis, and subsoil
Careful work planning increases safety and efficiency. Important factors are load transfer into the subsoil, accessibility, movement space, and crane/anchorage points for released segments.
Interior
Check existing slabs for load-bearing capacity and punching risk, protect floor finishes, avoid exhaust gases, observe swing radii. Compact crawler platforms with low bearing pressure are suitable for sensitive subfloors.
Exterior
Consider wind load, slopes, gradients, and degree of compaction. Outrigger pads increase the bearing area; access routes should be free of obstacles. It is advisable to separate debris drop and material routes from pedestrian routes.
Safety and health protection
Work on work platforms requires trained personnel, suitable personal protective equipment, and adherence to operating manuals. General notes:
- Use restraint/fall protection systems in the basket; observe anchorage points.
- Do not overload the basket; check load distribution and center of gravity; account for dynamic additional loads from separation and splitting processes.
- Secure components before the last separation cut; avoid falling and swinging movements.
- Hydraulics under pressure: secure hose routing, avoid pinch and cut points, regularly check for tightness.
- Consider dust suppression and noise reduction measures; use dust extraction or a water spray system where appropriate.
- Respect the platform’s weather and wind limits; clarify emergency lowering and escape routes.
Legal requirements, standards, and operating instructions vary by country and application. The points mentioned are of a general nature and do not replace an object-specific risk assessment in terms of occupational safety.
Work techniques and sequence in deconstruction
A systematic sequence reduces risks and increases execution quality:
- Survey the existing condition, locate utilities, mark components, define the separation cut sequence.
- Position the work platform, check support, perform a test run of the hydraulics.
- Apply the concrete demolition shear or splitter, work from outside to inside, separate reinforcement in a controlled manner.
- Secure, release, and remove the segment; adjust basket position in between rather than overreaching.
- Finish remaining material in a targeted manner, define edges, keep the site clean.
Typical mistakes and how to avoid them
- Overlooking tool reaction forces: maintain stable posture, short lever paths, smooth movements.
- Inadequate hose routing: minimize trip and pinch hazards, avoid kinks.
- Wrong cutting sequence: sling and secure before the last separation cut.
- Unsuitable platform selection: realistically match reach and payload to tool and material.
- Unclear disposal planning: define disposal and waste disposal logistics in advance.
Distinction from alternatives and combinations
Scaffolding is suitable for surface work over longer periods, whereas work platforms enable pinpoint, flexible work. Remote-controlled carrier machines or a demolition robot offer advantages for heavy loads or large reach. A combination is often sensible: details are prepared from the work platform with concrete demolition shear or rock wedge splitter and concrete splitter from Darda GmbH, and larger segments are then handled by a crane or a carrier machine. This balances precision, safety, and efficiency.