PDI Engineer

 Type: Permanent, Full-time

 Working hours:  40 hours.

Job Function: To provide engineering support for the workshop function.

Reporting to: Depot Manager.

Liaising with: Engineers, Parts Dept, LCV Technicians.

Responsibilities:

  • Carry out pre-delivery inspections of vehicle mounted platforms at the Depot.
  • Ensure compliance with the manufacturer’s guidelines, company policy and any regulations affecting the safe operation.
  • Communicate effectively with the Depot Manager with regards to any defects or unsafe equipment.
  • Investigate faults, diagnose, and repair platforms as required to ensure conformance with the company policy.
  • Correctly process all jobs on the works handheld tablet to include the allocation of labour time and any parts used, updating the status of all vehicles as appropriate.
  • Ensure efficient stock control processes are adhered to for all parts/consumables used.
  • Report any potential customer recharges or warranty repairs to the Service Department.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to at all times.
  • Maintain the workshop/workspace in a clean and safe manner.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures at all times.

Requirements:

  • Experience with mobile or vehicle mounted access platforms maintenance and inspection routines would be desirable but not essential.
  • Relevant general maintenance qualification and proven experience gained within the plant rental sector would be desirable but not essential.
  • Experience in auto electrics, hydraulics and diagnostics/fault finding.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and work well under pressure.
  • Good interpersonal skills and an acute understanding good customer service.

Hoist Engineer

 Type: Permanent, Full-time

 Working hours:  40 hours.

Job Function: Operate within Company guidelines to assist in the mechanical processes of the hoists in terms of repairs, services and inspections. Responsible for Workshop hoists, maintaining vehicles, carrying out inspections, repairs and services.

Reporting to: Depot Manager.

Liaising with: Logistics Supervisor, Hire Desk, Vehicle Mechanics, Drivers and all other Head Office Staff.

The ideal candidate must be confident and able to carry out hoist and engineering diagnostics using a range of diagnostic equipment.

Responsibilities:

  • Experience within the Stairlift/Platform Lift industry
  • Inspect, diagnose and rectify any mechanical and electrical faults.
  • Repair or replace broken or defective parts. 
  • Attend breakdowns on site
  • Process any parts requirements and support the optimum parts stock level system. 
  • Provide back-up support in other areas within the business.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to in relation to site operations.
  • Be an ambassador for the company, ensuring a polite, friendly and professional manner at all times.
  • Follow company’s Employee handbook policies and procedures.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience as Hoist Engineer
  • Experience in carrying out diagnostic repairs and fault finding.
  • A full current driving license.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks, work well under pressure and to strict deadlines.
  • Awareness and understanding of health and safety requirements.
  • Good professionalism and ability to work as part of a team.

Three Key Values Access Hire Will Promote At Connected North

Telecoms projects are booming due to Project Gigabit, and the future of the industry looks bright. But companies still face several challenges to fully benefit from the boom, with 5G roll-outs still far from completion – along with on-going concerns over rising costs and security challenges.

This year’s Connected North is the perfect opportunity to address them. The event unites more than 1,500 of the North’s connectivity leaders, providing an essential forum to explore the industry’s biggest issues. And as an established leader with the country’s largest fleet of Van Mounted MEWPs, we look forward to bringing three ideas to the table:

1. Vehicle leasing

Despite the Telecoms industry boom, newer infrastructure companies still struggle to get a foot in the door. Van Mounted MEWPs are essential for the majority of projects, but are expensive – especially when factoring in maintenance costs. This creates a barrier to entry for many, which is not only bad for the excluded companies – it reduces the industry’s overall competitiveness.

Leasing Van Mounted MEWPs solves this issue, enabling companies to access best-in-class equipment with a low, fixed cost payment schedule. Leasing also reduces lead times for telecoms companies and enables greater flexibility – ultimately benefiting the whole industry.

2. Van Mounted MEWP training

Van Mounted MEWPs are essential for fibre engineers to work safely at height, as well as improving the efficiency of that work. But operating the vehicles properly requires specialised training. Not just theoretical training – direct, experience-based training.

That’s why we are thrilled to offer IPAF training that sticks. Our trainees learn using the vehicles they’ll actually use in the field, enabling them to discover vehicle-specific tricks, increasing their confidence.

3. Electric vehicles

Sustainability is one of the biggest challenges facing the Telecoms industry. With 5G projected to increase energy consumption by 160% by 2030, every company is looking at how it can become greener – and fast.

Electric vehicles are by no means the only answer, but they will play an important role. Which is why we’re showcasing Access Zero – our new fleet of fully-electric Van Mounted MEWPs. The vehicles will help Telecoms infrastructure projects reduce their energy usage and move a step closer to their lofty net zero goals.

Four Key Business Benefits From Fully-Electric Van Mounted MEWPs

UK sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs) hit an all-time high last year.¹ But we are still just scratching the surface of this major shift in transport and technology.

Fully-electric Van Mounted MEWPs are now available to lease and hire for businesses across the country, and this is expected to have a significant impact on construction and infrastructure projects in several ways.

Here are four core benefits businesses can expect:

1. Reduced emissions

The most commonly cited benefit of EVs is their environmental impact. Even accounting for the generation of electricity and battery manufacturers, going electric dramatically reduces the amount of GreenHouse Gas (GHG) emitted through the lifecycle of each vehicle.

This is particularly true for fully-electric Van Mounted MEWPs. Each vehicle produces a large annual reduction of CO₂ every year and across an entire fleet, this equates to an enormous improvement to your carbon footprint.

 

2. Fuel savings

A common misconception about EVs is that they are more expensive. While brands like Tesla have created the perception that going electric is costly, switching to fully-electric Van Mounted MEWPs can actually result in a long-term cost saving.

Events from last year made clear just how expensive traditional fuel sources can be – not to mention highly volatile. Electricity is far cheaper and businesses can expect to save a significant amount per year on fuel.

3. Noise

Noise pollution is a major issue for the construction and infrastructure sectors – especially when working on inner-city projects. Heavy vehicles are a large contributor to that problem, but few projects can run successfully without them. This ultimately limits the times when projects can operate at full capacity.

Electric Van Mounted MEWPs provide a powerful solution to this problem. They run completely silently, thus entirely removing one of the biggest sources of noise pollution from your site – and enabling work during the night and early morning in areas where noise restrictions are strict.

4. Improved ESG

Whether you operate in the public or private sector, there is growing pressure to demonstrate the steps you are taking to improve your sites’ Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scores. Opting for fully-electric Van Mounted MEWPs is an easy win in this regard, providing a large improvement that can be actioned immediately.

1.Gov.UK

Three Important Ways Electric Vehicles Help Local Authorities Hit Sustainability Goals Faster

Sustainability is top of the agenda for most local councils. But delivering sustainable infrastructure projects is easier said than done.

Despite the recent announcement of extra Government funding ¹, the process of planning, managing and delivering sustainable infrastructure is a huge challenge. Tier 3 emission accounting means leaders need to implement green alternatives across their entire supply chains – and this creates a serious problem for many councils.

A gap in the sustainability market

Key infrastructure projects require strategic equipment like Van Mounted MEWP. But these are generally seen as a big source of carbon and noise emissions. Today, fully-electric alternatives exist – they have just not been readily available to local authorities. 

Access Zero offers the UK’s first fleet of fully-electric Van Mounted MEWP, enabling infrastructure projects to run more smoothly and with far less impact to the environment. 

Here are three ways electric Van Mounted MEWP help local councils achieve their sustainability goals:

 

1. Reduced emissions

The construction, operation and maintenance of infrastructure are responsible for roughly 16% of the UK’s total carbon emissions ². The machinery and vehicles used during projects is an important part of this – yet these emissions are often seen as inevitable.

Fully-electric Van Mounted MEWP solve that problem – producing zero emissions and requiring far less energy to run. This helps radically reduce the overall output of mobile workforces. It also makes projects easier to run in densely populated urban areas where Ultra Low Emissions Zones (ULEZ) are more common ³

2. Easier budgeting

According to recent reports, 7 in 10 UK councils are struggling to finance their net-zero transition. This puts pressure on leaders, even with extra funding from the government. And since green options are generally seen as more costly, many contractors struggle to afford electric vehicles.

This is why Access Zero offers a fully inclusive maintenance solution, enabling local authorities to hire the latest access platform technology in confidence and easily forecast their cash flow due to not having to account for any service or maintenance costs. This means opting for electric Van Mounted MEWP doesn’t mean sacrificing other green initiatives or creating an unmanageable budget deficit.

3. Minimise noise pollution

Noise pollution is less widely publicised than air pollution, but it is just as harmful to the health of the local population. Researchers estimate that excessive noise costs the UK economy £20 billion each year. And Councils have a clear mandate to reduce noise from infrastructure projects – especially in urban areas.

Electric Van Mounted MEWP operate silently. This removes a huge source of on-site noise emissions and makes the environment more pleasant for both workers and civilians.

2.Sweco Group 3.London.Gov 4.Edie

Workshop Engineer

South Kirkby

 Type: Permanent, Full-time

 Working hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday – Friday.

Job Function:  A hands-on engineering role, working alongside a team and supporting the implementation of an LCV hoist refurbishment programme.  

Reporting to: Depot Supervisor

Liaising with: Workshop Staff, Stores and Head Office.

Responsibilities:

  • Carry out Removal, refurbishment, and reassembly of access platforms from LCV’S.
  • Ensure compliance with manufacturers guidelines, company policy and any regulations affecting the safe operation.
  • Replacement of hydraulic hoses and ancillaries.
  • Replacement of pins, bushes and fasteners.
  • Wiring and electrical fault finding.
  • Performing all tasks in a safe and timely manner.
  • Communicate effectively with the Depot Manager with regards to any defects or unsafe equipment.
  • Correctly process all jobs on the works handheld tablet to include the allocation of labour time and any parts used, updating the status of all vehicles as appropriate.
  • Ensure efficient stock control processes are adhered to for all parts/consumables used.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to at all times.
  • Maintain the workshop/workspace in a clean and safe manner.
  • Any other ad-hoc duties.

Requirements:

  • Experience in engineering, auto electrics, hydraulics and diagnostics/fault finding.
  • Ability to prioritise tasks and work well under pressure.
  • Good interpersonal skills and an acute understanding good customer service.
  • IPAF 1b Operators licence desirable but not essential.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

Service Controller

Normanton

 Type: Permanent, Full-time

 Working hours:  Mon – Fri, 8am – 5pm.

Job Function: To ensure the smooth, efficient and cost-effective running of the Service function.

Reporting to: Senior Service Controller.

Liaising with: Operations Manager, Service Manager, Depot Manager, Operations Team, Customers & Suppliers.

Responsibilities:

  • Receiving breakdown calls and providing solutions by liaising with the relevant suppliers/engineering support
  • Communicating with customers and giving regular progress updates on vehicle repair status.
  • Booking services and other scheduled maintenance with garages across the UK.
  • Ensure vehicle downtime is kept to an absolute minimum.
  • Liaising with suppliers to negotiate the best commercial arrangements relating to maintenance costs.
  • Interact closely with other departments, in particular, finance, workshop and sales.
  • Provide a high level of accuracy and detail on all records created within Syrinx.
  • Always maintain professional and courteous conversational dialogue when speaking with customers on the telephone and when customers visit our premises.
  • Ensure that the company’s health and safety policy and procedures are adhered to in relation to all depot operations.
  • Any other ad-hoc duties.

Requirements:

  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • Organised and keen eye for detail.
  • Good time and task management.
  • Solid knowledge of Microsoft OfficeTM programs.
  • At least 2 years’ experience in a similar role.
  • Strong organizational and planning skills.
  • Good multitasking and teamwork skills.
  • Ability to work well alone.

For more information on this position, please apply today with your latest CV hr@kellinggroup.com

*The Company reserves the right to amend your job description in the line with the changing demands of the business.

*Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.

Why Training Is Essential To Operate Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms Safely

Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms (VMAPs) are an essential part of many infrastructure projects. But without the proper training, they carry a number of safety risks which can lead to delays, hazards – and potentially serious injuries. 

What are the vehicle mounted access platform safety risks?

Working from heights is always considered a health and safety risk; 123 UK workers died in 2022 as a result of falls¹. Whilst Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms present a safe and efficient way of working at height, there are still a number of other safety risks – all of which require operators to be highly trained.

Some of these are related to proper care and maintenance. If not set up or secured properly, the platform can be unstable – potentially causing it to tip over. Equally, if the vehicle is not properly maintained, sudden machinery failures can lead to accidents.

Other risks relate to operators’ skill and knowledge of the vehicle. If the operator does not have proper control over the vehicle mounted access platform, there is a risk of collision with other vehicles or obstacles – not to mention the risks to the person working on the platform.

 

How training mitigates the risk

Comprehensive safety training is not just a matter of legal requirement – it can actually save lives. By ensuring the operator is familiar with the proper safety procedures – as well as protocols for maintaining the equipment and noticing when additional support is required – the right training course will make your operators safer, more confident and more efficient.

Training should include information on how to properly set up and secure the platform; how to properly use the controls and safety features; and how to safely access and work from the platform. Additionally, safety training can help to prevent accidents and injuries by teaching operators how to recognize and avoid potential hazards.

But simply memorising this information is not enough – it needs to be used. And that is where most training programmes run into a serious problem.

Why training needs to use real vehicles

Sitting in a classroom or at a computer is one thing; making decisions in the moment is another. Just 12% of employees say they have been able to apply what they learned in training courses to their real-world job²

Why? Because they learn in an artificial environment divorced from their real day-to-day work. A trainee may take in all of the information, but it is less likely to stick – and far less likely to become a lasting habit that ensures consistently safe operation.

This is a common problem with operator training.  While International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) training is the industry gold-standard, few organisations are able to offer the programmes using vehicle mounted access platforms – which is exactly why Access Hire stepped up.

Access Hire helps your site stay safe

We now offer full IPAF training onsite using our market leading range of Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms. Not only does this ensure operators are properly accredited – it gives them the opportunity to learn skills specific to the vehicle they’ll be using on site.

This makes the training more relevant and helps them memorise the information more effectively. As a result, safety practices become real habits. The operator follows every safety protocol and operates the vehicle properly without even thinking – and that is what you need to keep your site safe.

Access Hire Industry Insights: Four Key Trends for Telecommunications in 2023

Telecommunications is one of the UK’s most essential and fastest growing industries. But innovation has often been slowed by legacy infrastructure that is massively outdated and complex.

In the coming years, we will see these challenges finally resolved. The UK government has earmarked £5 billion for “Project Gigabit” – its attempt to ensure the expansion of high-quality broadband into hard-to-reach areas¹ – as well as a slew of further investments to promote innovation and security in the sector. 

Some estimate the cumulative impact of these projects could result in a £120 billion boost to the UK economy over the coming 15 years². Value will be produced at every step of the process, from hiring innovative access platforms to creating thousands of new jobs. 

In this report, we explore four key trends that will drive this growth in 2023.

Four telecoms trends in 2023

1. The 5G rollout

The expansion of 5G networks will accelerate during 2023, with EE claiming it will deliver 5G to 90% of the UK’s geographic area by 2028³. This looks increasingly plausible: UK comms regulator Ofcom says the number of 5G base stations in the UK doubled in 2021, with coverage now between 67-77% (up from 42-57% last year), – and we should expect this number to grow rapidly. 

Much of this is thanks to the Government’s £200 million 5G Testbed and Trials programme. The government has made clear its intention to make the 5G roll out as widespread and impactful as possible – largely by “cutting red tape” to enable innovation. This includes simple factors like increasing competition, as well as more “out there” proposals, such as using “Street furniture” like lampposts as 5G towers.

Not only does 5G offer increased speed, reduced latency and greater reach – there are clear ESG benefits too. It is up to 90% more efficient than 4G in terms of energy consumption per unit of traffic (W/Mbps), and the ongoing rollout could produce huge energy gains across the country’s telecoms infrastructure.

But this is where the 5G rollout gets more complex

The reality is, providers will not be relying on 5G any time soon. Despite the rollout, networks will still need a robust 4G infrastructure for many years. While Vodafone will phase out 3G in 2023, it will continue to simultaneously invest in its 4G infrastructure – however fast 5G access expands.

Equally, 5G is not the only type of network most want access to. 45% of enterprise businesses are concurrently testing or deploying Wi-Fi 6 and 5G for their advanced wireless initiatives. Indeed, a recent Deloitte survey found that fully 98% of respondents expected their organisation would be using both technologies within two years. 

Perhaps tellingly, countries that report the highest levels of 5G pilots and deployments also report the highest levels of WI-FI 6 pilots.¹⁰

2. Major fibre projects

In September 2022, CityFibre announced that its full fibre infrastructure project –  in partnership with Vodafone – had been successfully deployed by more than two million homes.¹¹ But this is just the start. CityFibre expects the project to see full fibre-optic broadband deployed in 8 million homes by 2025 – creating 4,000 jobs in the process.¹² 

There is competition though. In may December 2022, Openreach announced 12 new locations where it plants to deliver gigabit-capable technology – with plans to reach 4 million new homes each year. Virgin Media soon followed suit, announcing its intention to upgrade its entire fixed network to full fibre by 2028.

These projects will be highly complex, requiring powered access equipment to successfully deploy the necessary infrastructure. But the net result will be a huge increase in both supply and demand. 

A report from the FTTH Council Europe predicted the total number of fibre subscriptions in the UK to increase to 18.5 million by 2026, with the overall penetration of fibre reaching 63.1%.¹³

Are targets too ambitious?

While the above figures are promising, the infrastructure required for such coverage will not be easy – requiring much strategic and technical support. The UK government has found this out the hard way. In a recent report, they were forced to break their manifesto pledge to achieve nationwide fibre coverage by 2025 – with the date now moved back to 2030.¹⁴

3. Reinforcing telecoms security

Following the passage of the Telecommunications Security Act last year, we should expect increased efforts to reinforce the security and safety of the UK’s telecoms networks. With increasingly powerful connectivity, the dangers of cyber attacks have intensified. Both the UK government and private companies are highly incentivised to ensure networks are maximally robust.

There will also be an important balance to strike between increasing security and ensuring efficient competition. The government has launched a £250 million initiative to build more competitive, innovative and diverse supply chains – reducing the reliance on a small handful of massive equipmark firms.¹⁵ However, this may create conflict between providers’ desire for security and their desire for economic efficiency.

The government has already enshrined a law to strip out ‘high-risk’ suppliers’ tech from networks,¹⁶ which will have a huge impact on security. But actioning this may not be so simple. BT has estimated that it will take 5 years and £500 million to remove Huawei technology from its networks.¹⁷

 

4. Focus on values

Overall, network performance is improving. Broadband and mobile complaints are down despite increased usage,¹⁸ and the various projects we’ve discussed thus far show how the telecoms sector is innovating. But that does not mean providers are safe from competition. 

64% of consumers are likely to switch phone providers within the next three years if telecoms don’t invest and act fast.¹⁹ This means there is growing pressure on companies to innovate -and clear rewards for those that are able to do so fast.

In the coming year and beyond, we expect to see telecom companies looking to go beyond providing great service. They will increasingly have to position themselves as adding extra value beyond the traditional bounds of telecoms – and this will ramp up significantly throughout 2023.

BT is a prime example: they recently declared that they would only back “responsible tech” in the future, with an emphasis on climate change, diversity and inclusions.²⁰ This will run through their entire business, informing everything from the access platforms they lease to their commitment to a circular economy model.

While other businesses may take differing approaches, the takeaway is clear: telecoms companies must increasingly be more than just telecoms companies in order to survive.

1.https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-5bn-project-gigabit
2.https://telecoms.com/opinion/embracing-government-incentives-how-can-telcos-innovate-beyond-the-bare-minimum/
3.https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/ee-promises-to-cover-90-of-uk-with-5g-by-2028
4.https://www.ispreview.co.uk/index.php/2022/12/ofcom-gigabit-broadband-covers-70-of-uk-as-5g-hits-67-77.html
5.https://www.gov.uk/guidance/5g-testbeds-and-trials-programme
6.https://telecoms.com/513387/uk-government-moves-to-improve-telco-access-to-street-furniture/
7.https://www.ericsson.com/en/blog/3/2021/1/achieving-sustainability-with-energy-efficiency-in-5g-networks
8. https://telecoms.com/513093/vodafone-uk-will-start-switching-off-3g-next-year/
9. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/tw/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/rp20211228-2022-tmt-trend.pdf
10. https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/tw/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/rp20211228-2022-tmt-trend.pdf
11. https://cityfibre.com/news/cityfibre-network-passes-2-million-homes-on-its-march-toward-8-million
12. https://news.yahoo.com/openreach-creates-4-000-jobs-000324197.html
13. https://www.ftthcouncil.eu/knowledge-centre/all-publications-and-assets/246/ftth-forecast-for-europe-market-forecasts-2021-2026
14. https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/uk-government-pushes-back-full-fibre-coverage-target-to-2030
15. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/5g-supply-chain-diversification-strategy/5g-supply-chain-diversification-strategy
16. https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252509705/UK-government-enshrines-law-to-strip-out-high-risk-suppliers-tech-from-networks
17. https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252477617/BT-to-take-half-billion-pound-hit-on-Huawei-kit-replacement
18.https://telecoms.com/513348/ofcom-says-broadband-and-mobile-complaints-are-down-across-the-board/
19.https://www.cityam.com/qa-what-are-the-big-lessons-for-telecoms-looking-into-2022/
20.https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19910879.bt-commits-responsible-tech-greener-future/

Why Training Is Essential For Organisations

Leasing A 3.5 Ton 13M Van Mounted Platform From Kelling Group

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) is an organisation that promotes the safe use of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms (MEWPs), such as Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms (VMAPs).

With over 1,500 members across 76 countries, it is the international authority on safety best practices – which is why Access Hire is proud to announce we have become an official IPAF training provider.

Why is IPAF training important?

MEWPs are large pieces of equipment that can cause serious damage if misused. That is why operators must undertake rigorous training to ensure they know how to operate the equipment effectively – and keep themselves and their colleagues safe.

Ensuring operators are highly trained is not just about compliance, it is about creating a culture of safety and demonstrating your commitment to the workforce and your customers.

Well trained employees can also work independently and make decisions that can improve their overall efficiency. They are able to identify and solve problems quickly, preventing costly errors and downtime.

IPAF training courses are conducted by authorised training centres and culminates in the awarding of a PAL Card (Powered Access Licence) to the trained individual. This training is mandatory for anybody who operates a MEWP, and the PAL Card remains valid for 5 years.

 

Access Hire lets you train with a VMAP

While IPAF training is mandatory for Vehicle Mounted Access Platform (VMAP) operators, the majority of training providers do not carry out their training using VMAPs. This is not inherently problematic, but it does mean that trainees lose out on vehicle-specific tips which could be vital.

As a market leading provider of Vehicle Mounted Access Platforms, Access Hire felt this needed to change. Trainees can now undertake 1b static boom training on the specific type of VMAP they will use on-site, enabling them to benefit from our experienced trainers’ specialist VMAP knowledge.

 

Trainees will learn:

  • Key regulations, legislations, standards
  • How to identify risks and hazards
  • How to identify machinery parts
  • How to undertake a pre-use inspection of the vehicle and platform
  • Safe machine operating methods
  • How to identify common faults