Pics of my work platform I built off a 275 gallon IBC frame. Let's me work comfortably at 10-16' heights. I have to climb into it via a ladder, but at least I'm not a) working on a ladder b) having to carry tools and materials up the ladder and c) not having to worry about falling out of it or off of it like a ladder.
The only caveat is that I always put some sort of "lock" on the hydraulics so in case of hydraulic failure, it doesn't drop like a rock. Typically, I just set the platform on a doubled pair of 2x4's. Very stable.
Putting lights up in my shop would be impossible for me without this work platform:
ETA: When is this site going to fix it's imgur problem? This is frking retarded.