A foldable access platform and method of use thereof

A foldable access platform for accessing a rear of a cab of a dump truck, said platform comprising:

• a deck extending rearwardly from the rear of the cab, said deck having a front edge and an opposed rear edge;
• and
• at least one guard rail assembly comprising two or more guard rails extending above the rear edge of the deck in a substantially parallel arrangement relative to each other and supported by two or more support frame members extending between the rails and the rear edge of the deck, said two or more support frame members having a lower end pivotally coupled to the rear edge of the deck such that the at least one guard rail assembly is pivotable relative to the deck and an upper end of the at least one guard rail assembly is pivotable between a stowage position in which the upper end is folded against the rear of the cab and an operable position in which the upper end extends substantially upwards from the deck;
• a biasing mechanism comprising one or more tension springs extending underneath the deck between the front edge of the deck and a lower extension portion of at least one of the at least two or more support frame members for biasing the at least one guard rail assembly into the operable position, said lower extension portion extending beyond the lower end of the two or more support frame members pivotally coupled to the rear edge;
• and
• a retaining mechanism for retaining the guard rail assembly in the stowage position against a force of the biasing mechanism.