How MEWPs Are Elevating the Cleaning Industry
Cleaning at height comes with challenges. Not only relating to safety but also access.
It’s no good if you can’t reach where you need, and even worse if you can’t do it safely.
From accessing difficult areas and keeping teams safe in the process, each and every project needs the correct equipment (and the correct training too, but more on that later!).
MEWPs, also known as Mobile Elevating Work Platforms, provide a safe and efficient solution for work at height.
And they’re currently transforming the way the cleaning industry works.
From window cleaning on residential estates to commercial cladding cleaning, powered access equipment helps operators reach every area and get the best view of the job possible. Never letting you miss a bit.
Safety is one of the biggest priorities businesses face. Falls from height remain the leading cause of fatal workplace incidents in the UK. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) report that in the 2024/25 period, falls accounted for 35 deaths, and tens of thousands of other injury.
Why Use Powered Access for Cleaning?
Powered access on site is like adding the icing onto a cake, it instantly improves it.
MEWPs provide a stable working platform with built-in safety features, making them much safer than ladders for many working at height tasks.
Whether it’s a warehouse, shopping centre, factory, or office block you’re cleaning, MEWPs offer significant advantages over traditional access methods.
Improved Safety
Having your team use powered access is a safer alternative to ladders or scaffolding (and let’s not forget about the quicker setup too!).
And paired with the right training improves knowledge and reduces accidents on site.
Hird Training offers a wide range of accredited courses from a variety of industry bodies, including IPAF for working at height machinery.
Explore all the courses we offer on our dedicated training page.
Increases Efficiency
Time matters on every project, and MEWPs are quick to set up and easy to reposition around site. Allowing operators to get straight to work and reduce disruption for clients.
Easy Access
Articulated boom lifts provide excellent manoeuvrability and “up and over” reach.
Making it easy to access rooftops, balconies, gutters, eaves, signage, and awkward areas.
Select MEWPs can also navigate narrow access points and confined working areas.
Cost Effective
Hiring MEWPs can be more cost effective than using scaffolding for short-term projects.
Here’s why:
- Reduced labour costs
- Faster project completion
- Less downtime
- Short-term and long-term hire options
- Reduced disruption on site
What Areas MEWPs Are Used In
MEWPs are widely used across the cleaning industry for both commercial and residential projects.
Common cleaning applications include:
- Window cleaning
- Gutter cleaning
- Fascia & soffit cleaning
- Solar panel cleaning
- Roof cleaning
- Cladding cleaning
- Commercial & residential cleaning
- Factory indoor cleaning
But of course, powered access equipment is also commonly used in:
- Construction
- Warehouse management
- Events
- Facility maintenance
- Airport maintenance
- Signage, lighting, and HVAC systems
So, whatever the project, we provide a safe, efficient, and reliable way to work at height.
Hird’s Powered Access Fleet
Hird is home to a range of powered access equipment, with an inventory of scissor lifts, cherry pickers, spider booms, truck mounted platform, and mast booms.
Our access platforms come equipped with maximum working heights of 5.2m up to 25.8m. We can offer machinery for any site, no matter how big or small.
Let’s dive deeper into some of our fleet…
Manitou 200ATJ-E
The Manitou 200ATJ-E is an all-electric boom providing zero-emission and low noise operation.
Which is ideal on jobs where the less disruption to the client the better.
It can lift two personnel both indoors and out, excellent for those working solely or as part of a team. And is a very versatile boom thanks to its 4×4 chassis which provides stability on rough terrain and uneven ground.
Due to its all-electric operation, the 200ATJ-E can be used indoors as well as outdoors, for industrial cleaning, factory cleaning, and high-level cleaning.
Genie Z45/25J RT
This diesel articulated boom is one of the most popular in the Hird fleet. And rightly so!
The Genie Z45/25J RT is commonly found on a range of construction sites, but it also proves itself worthy of industrial maintenance jobs like cleaning.
Hird’s diesel MEWPs provide excellent working heights, with the Z45/25 providing 15.86m. This specific boom provides a stable and level work area thanks to its self-levelling platform.
And has zero tail swing, perfect for areas with not a lot of room.
Diesel boom lifts are ideal for external building cleaning, roof access, cladding cleaning, and large industrial maintenance projects.
Genie GS-2632
Or if it’s a scissor lift you’re after. The electric powered Genie GS-2632 delivers a 9.92m working height with a machine width of only 0.81m.
And because its electric, the MEWP delivers reduced environmental impact, and quiet operation on site.
The Genie GS-2632’s zero-emission operation along with its compact dimensions allow for excellent manoeuvrability indoors.
Or even in factories where clean operation is essential.
And of course, there are a range of hybrid options available for hire from Hird, with both boom lifts and spider booms on offer.
Like the Niftylift HR15N, not only with a 15.5m working height, but also boasts an incredibly narrow base of 1.5m. Supporting work indoors and outdoors with environments that require great vertical reach but are constrained by space, like narrow warehouse aisles.
How can I choose the right access equipment?
Hird is home to a large range of powered access equipment from scissor lifts to spider booms.
No matter the project size, we have the equipment for it. Offering access equipment from 5.2m up to 25.8m across the UK.
And we always ensure quality, reliable, and safe equipment.
Choosing the right powered access can sometimes be a daunting task, there are a lot of things to consider, from environment, working height, and access requirements to name a few.
If you’re not sure which MEWP is best suited to your job, we have an expert, friendly team who know can best recommend a machine to you.
Need Training? No problem.
The correct operator training is essential when using powered access equipment.
Hird Training delivers and has been delivering health and safety training for over 40 years.
We offer operator, demonstrator and instructor level training on all types of powered access equipment including push arounds, scissors, booms, and spider lifts. All from industry brands so you can always count on us for quality, accredited training.
Powered access is covered under our IPAF training courses.
IPAF training helps operators understand:
- Safe operating procedures
- Hazard awareness
- Codes of practice
- Pre-use inspections
- Planning & travelling routes
- And more
Hird can provide IPAF accredited training, delivered either at one of Hird’s three training centres, or at the customer’s site, if suitable.
You can find all our training courses here.
Find Out More
Hird’s full range of Powered Access equipment is available for hire nationally. Call our team today.
Email: [email protected]