Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial lift equipment is an essential piece of kit for construction sites, as it offers a safe and secure means for workers to reach inaccessible areas on the exterior or tops of buildings, monuments and other structures, and also overhead power cables. There are several different types of aerial work machines including:
- Elevated work platform (EWP) – this is also known as a lift table, cherry picker or bucket truck, and provides a stable platform that people can work from that can be raised to different heights. These are ideal machines for temporary maintenance and repair jobs that do not justify the costs of putting up permanent scaffolding, and also provide quick, emergency access to buildings so are an essential piece of fire fighting and rescue equipment.
- Scissor lift – an electric scissor lift is a type of platform can be elevated straight up and down, and the upward motion is achieved by extending supports formed in a distinctive crossing ‘x’ pattern, which are powered either hydraulically or pneumatically.
Safety
Aerial work platforms (AWPs) are fitted with safety rails around the working areas to protect passengers, and in most countries you will need a have a special license to operate this type of machine, as there are significant safety issues concerning tilting and tipping over. To help prevent accidents most AWPs come with tilting sensors to help alert operators to potential problems and also weight sensors to ensure the platform is not overloaded. There is also a significant risk from electrocution when using AWPS around live overhead power cables, and it is advised that if you are going to be using an AWP in an area with a high risk of electrocution then you choose one of the specially designed machines made from non-conductive materials such as fibreglass.
Rental
Most construction companies will only need AWPs for certain jobs, and as these are very expensive pieces of equipment it can be much cheaper to rent them when you need them, and this will also mean you don’t have to train any of your staff up to use AWPs as most rental companies also provide experienced operators. You can find out more about where to go for scissor lift, EWP and bucket truck rental by visiting websites such as Aichi, who have been producing quality aerial work equipment since the 1960’s . 
Construction Productivity Solutions
Electric/powered lift trucks are expensive pieces of equipment and you will need specialised staff trained in how to operate them, but they can be very useful for optimising efficiency and productivity on construction sites and in warehouses and builders yards, as they make it easy and safe to lift and transport materials and supplies around the work environment ready for use, storage or loading.
There are several different types of forklifts, and these are designed to carry out a range of jobs including:
- Electric pallet jacks – these are also known as pump trucks or forklifts and are used to move and lift pallets from one destination to another and unload/load trucks. These are essential pieces of warehouse and builders yard equipment as they are compact, highly mobile and can lift and transport large, heavy amounts of supplies quickly around confined spaces. Because the pallets are only lifted far enough off the floor to enable transportation these pallet trucks can only be used over smooth, stable ground and are not compatible with reversible or double faced non-reversible pallets.
- Telescopic handler – these specialised lift trucks are similar to electric forklifts, but the lifting device is designed more alone the lines of a crane with a single telescopic boom that extends forwards from the vehicle, which can be lifted vertically. This piece of equipment has a number of uses and the boom can be fitted with a bucket, muck grab or lift table, however the most common use in the construction industry is to fit pallet forks, which then make it safe and easy to lift essential supplies onto rooftops, towers and other high work sites.
- Forked automated guided vehicles – these are basically forklifts designed to be operate unmanned and are guided automatically by computers, and as they can run 24 hours a day without the need for a manual driver they can significantly reduce operational costs and improve overall productivity.
Toyota were one of the first companies to commercially produce a range of lift trucks, selling its first modern style environment friendly forklift in the US in the late 1960’s, and are still to this day one of the leading lift truck manufacturers, with over 180 registered dealers across the US. You can search for your nearest Toyota lift truck supplier by visiting Toyotaforkliftsusa.com, and if you are a tight budget then you can optimise your spending by buying a used electric forklift from one of the main Toyota dealers, who rigorously inspect all used models and provide a year’s limited warrantee. 
Advantages of Green Printing
Be it our professional life or personal, there are plenty of times when we need to print certain documents, leaflets or brochures for reference purpose. With the advance in digital and web technology, creating a paperless office is on the roll; and in such times, green printing has simply taken the market by storm. Be it the multinationals or the do-good companies, large corporations or activist groups, all are making an undying effort to go green by purchasing greener products or services.
Now what is green printing ! Green printing is not printing on a green color paper 
, its about nature friendly printing to save trees and environment.
Green printing techniques are also quite noteworthy. It mostly makes use of vegetable or soy-based ink instead of heavy metal based inks used in regular printing. Green printing also benefits our environment in more ways than one. It recycles all the paper waste and offers 100% recycled paper stocks for most of the printed products.
The global warming threat has changed the outlook in which the corporate and the individuals have started treating the environment. They have also started planning wisely for green printing and have adopted a number of ways to do so:
- Choosing paper and inks that are environment-affordable.
- Choosing paper that is chlorine free.
- Working with providers or vendors that make use of renewable energy resources.
- Avoiding any kind of coatings or varnishes that will prevent the object from being recycle-friendly in the near future.
If you have intended to help Mother Nature in some way or the other, going for green printing is one of the best alternatives available. 
Construction solutions to environmental problems
Today I came across a nice site – Geo-solutions.com and I thought I would write a review about their services. Geo-Solutions provide a number of services for construction and civil engineering projects that involve groundwater and soil problems. Geo Solutions provide the latest specialty excavating machinery, with attachments to carry out on site pumping and soil and slurry mixing.
Groundwater
Groundwater can pose a serious problem to construction and engineering projects, and Geo-Solutions provide a number of practical and cost effective methods for groundwater barriers including:
- Slurry cut-off walls – these barriers are not part of the structure or design of the site project, but are installed underground for the specific purpose of controlling the flow of groundwater.
- Biopolymer drains – these are also known as a ‘slurry trench’ or ‘French drain‘, and offer a quick and affordable way to control groundwater drainage and leachate collection.
- Permeable reactive barriers – this new technology offers an effective, affordable way to control contaminated groundwater issues, and can be installed without the need for expensive and time consuming mass excavation or pump and treat methods. Reactive barriers treat contaminated groundwater by ISCR (In situ Chemical Reduction).
Soil Problems
Construction and engineering projects may encounter significant soil problems that need to be solved before further works can continue, and Geo-Solutions provide a number of ground improvement and soil stabilization services including grouting and dynamic soil compaction:
- In situ soil mixing – this technology is also known as auger mixing, rotary mixing and cement soil mixing, and is used to create structural bases for foundations, retaining walls and groundwater containment, and is also used in conjunction with chemical reagents for treatment of contaminated waste.
- Deep soil compaction – this is used to change the properties of existing rock and soil, to improve ground support for foundations and prevent damage from earthquakes and subsidence.
- Jet Grouting – grouting is ejected in high pressured jets, and this has a number of uses including eroding and replacing grout, soil and rock, and mixing cement and soils. Jet grouting can be used to treat all kinds of soils from soft clays through to compacted gravel, and provides a quick and easy way to grout below buried foundations and utilities.
Geo Solutions also provide a professional design mix service, which will evaluate the individual site environment and develop the most compatible the material mix and job requirements before practical application begins.
