I have a strong aversion to trying to remain upright and steady on my feet when working on slopes, especially steep forty five degree banks – even more so when they are planted and in need of weeding/planting/maintaining.
On every site – even if only working for a couple of hours – I make a platform to suit the angle, so that I can stand on a safe and level surface.
These bespoke items are easy to make, and cost very little money, indeed, I often make them from remnants from other jobs (or retrieved from skips – provided they are sound materials and not rotten in any way).
This particular platform was made for working on a large steep bank planted with heathers, in need of general weeding a couple of times a year. Standing in or on the bank is nigh on impossible, especially avoiding damage to the plants. I use one or more such platforms, either as a pair, stepping from one to the other, or using one as a ‘weed platform’ where I fill plastic sacks and, once filled, roll them to the bottom of the bank where they are emptied ready for re-use.
The dimensions here are 60cm x 60cm for the main platform, with a 60cm x 30cm front ‘brace’ panel, with 50mm x 50mm legs and strengthening bars. The legs and feet are extended well beyond the 20mm shuttering ply seat/stand area to allow for the heather plants, avoiding any damage. These feet/legs may be shortened or lengthened to suit your requirements. The total weight of this platform is 10kgs.
I use suitable screws for the construction, to avoid splitting the timbers. They may be easily dismantled by removing the side brace screws and stored or transported for future use.
