Access to heights in refineries, power plants, etc.: Which work platform is really suitable?

Summary

Industrial plants such asRefineries, power plants or chemical plantshave special requirements:high safety requirements,limited access,special device requirements– from particle filters to ATEX zones. Anyone who works here needssuitable work platformsfor pipeline networks, chimneys, boiler houses or tank farms. Not only the height counts, but alsowhether the area of operation can be reached safely and efficiently– often in confined spaces and under time pressure.

Telescopic platformsoffer reach and height – ideal foropen facility areas.Articulated platformsare agile and flexible – perfect forwinding courtyards or pipe bridges. Apparent details are also important:Access, floor load, basket size or machine basedecide whether a device is approved. Anyone planning industrial applications should thereforetechnically sophisticated and practical forward-thinking– otherwise the stage is there, but not at the location.

Industrial facilities are not a classic location for work platforms – they present complex, safety-critical and technically challenging conditions .

Anyone who plans incorrectly or delivers the wrong equipment will delay entire shutdowns, jeopardize deadlines – or simply not be allowed onto the premises.

In this article, you will learn what requirements industrial plants place on work platforms – and what really matters when selecting, planning, and using them.

What are typical locations for platforms in industrial facilities?

Refineries and petrochemical plants

• Work on columns, reactors, pipelines, tank roofs
• Use in Ex zones (ATEX area) , with diesel particulate filter or electric
• Maintenance, corrosion protection, modifications during planned plant shutdowns

Power plants (gas, coal, biomass, waste incineration)

• Boiler areas, cooling towers, electrostatic precipitators, conveyor systems, chimneys
• Narrow boiler houses , changing heights
• Working in high heat, dusty conditions or with limited ventilation

Large industrial parks / chemical plants

• Pipe bridge networks, pumping stations, stage platforms
• Interior areas with restricted access , stepped levels
• Emission-free devices preferred (electric), depending on the sector

Typical applications where stages are required

• Replacement of insulation on pipelines or columns
• Maintenance and inspection of flange connections or brackets
• Plant modifications with external trades (e.g. welding, dismantling)
• Cleaning and documentation for TÜV inspections
• Corrosion protection work , often in several stages at different levels

This often involves working across multiple shifts , sometimes with multiple platforms at the same time – in a confined space, with coordinated access to defined work windows .

Which stage fits which part of the system?

Telescopic or articulated platform?

Telescopic boom lifts offer maximum height, a large reach, and are fast – but they require open space and plenty of room to pivot . Perfect for open spaces, tank roofs, cooling towers, or vertical reactors .

Articulated boom lifts are more flexible, more compact, and ideal for working around corners, over pipe bridges, or between pipes . They are often the only practical solution, especially in courtyards, pipe networks, or halls with intermediate levels .

Learn more about this topic here: When to use a telescope or an articulated system?

Important: It's not just about the height - it's about whether you can even reach the work area without touching pipes or steel beams.

What operators specifically demand – and is often forgotten

Some requirements are immediately clear: UVV (accident prevention regulations), CE (certificates), and certification. But many orders fail due to details:

• Forgotten particle filter → no access to emission-sensitive areas
• Devices too wide or too heavy → no access to walkways or gratings
• No machine documentation or test reports → prohibition of use by operator
• Platform with too small basket → no 2-man work with tools possible

Conclusion: Anyone who takes industrial applications seriously plans every detail – from machine dimensions to basket load and turning radius.

What you should definitely clarify before use

1. Ground load at the site? (e.g. grating, asphalt, soil)
2. Access heights, passages, pipe bridges?
3. Power requirements / noise limits?
4. Accessible by truck?
5. Operator approval or release processes?
6. ATEX zones? If so, standard platforms are taboo.

If you don’t clarify these questions, you’ll end up with the wrong device on day X – or won’t even be on site at all.

Conclusion: In industrial plants, expertise counts more than equipment height

Industrial operations in refineries, power plants, and chemical plants pose technical and organizational challenges that go far beyond standard construction sites. Heights, obstacles, safety zones, and time constraints require precise planning and suitable machinery.

A stage that fits on paper may be useless on site—or pose a safety risk. Those working in these areas need experience with sensitive equipment , technical understanding, and a landlord who knows what really works.

About the author

Martin Biberger

Managing Director

Martin is the founder and managing director of BIBERGER Arbeitsbühnen & Forklifts.

He is responsible for thetechnical areaTogether with his team, he is responsible for thetechnical purchasingthe machines thatFurther development of the machine inventoryand the smooth operation of over 1,500 BIBERGER rental devices.

From many years of experience he knows theStrengths and weaknesses of all device classes, the possibleAreas of applicationand thetechnical possibilities– always with a view to theDevelopment of the entire industryand future innovations.