Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are equipments which use either a series of linked, folding supports, such as a scissor lift or a boom lift or an articulated boom lift. These industrial types of machinery enable workers to access hard-to-reach areas. In certain ways, these kinds of machinery have made construction much safer and easier, although, the overall safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers which could accidentally result in serious injury or even death to unaware drivers.
Falls
Normally, falls can occur when workers are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can occur when somebody on the platform acts inappropriately and partakes in an activity like climbing the guard rails in order to gain added height. As well, accidents can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being correctly secured.
Sometimes workers may fall when the lift's base is struck inadvertently by a heavy object. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, therefore causing the employee to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has terrible outcome.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are susceptible to tipping over. Tip overs are more common in articulated boom lifts, but can take place in any type of lift. As boom lifts are able to move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the machinery's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is over loaded or parked on a slope of some type, extending the boom completely when it is in the wrong position can lead to a tip-over situation.