Work platforms at film, event and trade-fair productions – what organisers need to know

Rigging a concert stage at 8 metres height, setting up camera positions for a TV production, fitting out trade-fair stands with ceiling lighting – behind each of these set-ups there is usually a work platform. And that is precisely where the problems often begin: because events have tight time windows, cramped halls and zero tolerance for failures. Anyone who orders the wrong machine or starts planning too late drags the entire set-up into delay. This article shows which work platforms are suitable for event productions, what matters in the selection – and what rental companies like Luibl must deliver so that assembly and dismantling really run smoothly.

Work platforms are used at events in significantly more places than many assume. Roughly, four areas can be distinguished:

Rigging and stage technology

Truss structures, chain hoists, loudspeaker clusters – all of this hangs at height and has to be installed, maintained and dismantled again after the event. Anyone who needs a safe, positionable platform for this cannot avoid a work platform.

Camera and lighting positions

Film and TV productions often place cameras in positions that cannot be reached without a platform: hall roofs, overhead shots, wide shots from an elevated perspective. Lighting designers also use work platforms to align spotlights precisely.

Exhibition construction and exhibitions

Ceiling systems, signage and lighting installations in exhibition halls require work at 6 to 12 metres height – usually on smooth concrete floors, often under considerable time pressure. The halls are large, but electric scissor lifts can efficiently move here from point to point.

Decoration and set construction

Large sets, façades, green walls or hanging installations – in the event area, manual work at height is more the rule than the exception.

The hall conditions decide more than the actual task field. The most important parameters: ceiling height, floor condition, width of the access routes and whether emissions are permitted.

Electric scissor lift: the standard in the hall

For most trade-fair and hall productions, renting an electric scissor lift is the obvious choice. It works emission-free, leaves no tyre marks on sensitive hall floors and can be positioned precisely. Working heights of 6 to 14 metres cover the majority of exhibition halls and event spaces. Typical models for event assignments have a platform width of 1.20 to 1.80 m – wide enough for two persons with tools, narrow enough for most stand aisles.

When it does not fit:

On uneven ground, stage ramps or wet outdoor surfaces, scissor lifts quickly reach their limits.

Articulating boom lift: for reach over obstacles

When rigging truss structures or installing camera positions in hard-to-access places, lateral reach is more decisive than pure height. An articulating boom lift can be positioned over grandstands, stage structures or barriers without the machine having to stand directly beneath. Working heights up to 58 metres enable safe work even in large arenas or production halls – even when the ground beneath is not free.

Mast lift: compact for cramped areas

In historic buildings, palaces or small event locations where ceiling height and passages are severely limited, a mast lift is often the only solution. With widths under one metre, they fit through normal doors and are manoeuvrable in minimal space.

Time windows are not negotiable

Exhibition halls and event venues have fixed assembly times – often only 24 to 48 hours before the first visitor comes through the door. If the machine delivers too late or does not work, there is no buffer. That is why the arrangement with the rental company should be more detailed than for a normal construction-site assignment: delivery time, on-site contact, and what happens if the machine fails. Luibl delivers with its own low-loader fleet and offers technical support on site – at events this is not a luxury but genuine security.

Check the floor loading in halls

Exhibition halls are rarely designed for unlimited surface loads. An electric scissor lift with 3,000 to 5,000 kg dead weight brings point loads onto the floor that must be coordinated with the hall operator. This applies particularly to older event halls or historic buildings. When in doubt: load-spreading plates and consultation with the rental company.

Permits and operator responsibility

Anyone who uses a work platform at a public event bears, as the operator, responsibility for safe operation. This includes the instruction of the operators, the inspection of the ground and – at certain venues – coordination with the location's safety concept. Luibl offers training for all equipment types that qualifies operators directly on the rented machines.

Assembly and dismantling: two separate planning steps

During assembly the hall is empty; during dismantling it is not. After a trade fair or event, exhibits, decoration and often the cleaning crew are already in the way. Anyone who plans dismantling as a simple mirror image of assembly usually experiences surprises. A more compact machine can be the better choice for dismantling than the one that worked without problems on the free area during assembly.

Outdoor events: different requirements, different machines

At festivals, open-air concerts or outdoor events, different rules apply. Paved ground is rare, rain and wind are factored in, and the distances on the site are greater. For outdoor events, above all diesel articulating boom lifts or crawler platforms are used. The latter are specially built for soft, rough ground and can handle gradients over 50% – which becomes relevant on hilly festival sites or unpaved terrain sections. Important: keep an eye on wind speeds with extended platforms. From wind force 5, operation should generally be suspended. At events with their own safety concept, this is usually specified anyway.

Book early – especially in the event high season

Spring and autumn are the high season for trade fairs, congresses and events – exactly when the availability of special machines becomes tight. Anyone who orders the work platform for the trade-fair set-up only two weeks in advance risks having to make do with the first available model instead of the right one. Luibl has over 200 locations in Europe and a broad range. Nevertheless: the earlier the enquiry, the better the selection – and the more time remains to coordinate the details cleanly. Rent work platforms Rent electric scissor lifts Rent articulating boom lifts Training for work platforms

Which work platform is best suited for exhibition construction?

For most exhibition halls, an electric scissor lift is the first choice. It works emission-free, leaves no marks on smooth hall floors and is very manoeuvrable on level surfaces. If lateral reach over structures is needed, an articulating boom lift is the better option.

May I use a work platform at a public event?

Yes, but as the operator you bear responsibility for safe operation: instruction of the operators, ground inspection and coordination with the venue's safety concept. Training by the rental company is advisable and reduces legal risks.

How far in advance should I book a work platform for an event?

In the high season (March to May, September to November) preferably 4 to 6 weeks in advance. For large projects with several machines, even earlier. Short-notice enquiries are possible but restrict the model selection.

What happens if the work platform fails during set-up?

That is exactly the point you should clarify before booking. Reputable rental companies offer technical support on site and fast replacement in the event of defects. Luibl provides technicians on site on request and delivers with its own fleet – this minimises dependence on external service providers.

Can I also rent a work platform for outdoor festivals?

Yes. For soft or rough terrain, crawler platforms (tracked lifts) are the right choice. For paved outdoor surfaces, diesel articulating boom lifts are suitable. Important: keep an eye on wind speeds and suspend operation at force 5+.

Work platforms at film, event and trade-fair productions follow different rules than on a classic construction site. Time pressure, hall condition, floor loading and assembly/dismantling logistics require more careful planning – and a rental company that not only delivers the machine but also reacts in an emergency. Anyone who tackles the choice between machines and providers early saves themselves most surprises during set-up. For a no-obligation quote – also for several machines combined – Luibl is available at luibl.eu.