Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are equipments that utilize either a series of linked, folding supports, such as a boom lift or an articulated boom lift or a scissor lift. These industrial types of machine allow workers to access hard-to-reach areas. In some ways, these machines have made construction much safer and easier, although, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers that can accidentally lead to severe injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Falls from a man lift often occurs when employees cannot secure the harness to the lift or fail to or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can take place when a worker on the platform acts unsuitably and participates in an activity like for example climbing the guard rails to gain added height. Also, accidents could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the employee being correctly secured.
At times employees can fall when the base of the lift is struck inadvertently by a heavy thing. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, therefore causing the employee to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this dangerous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs can happen in any type of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. As boom lifts could move both vertically and horizontally, they can change the equipment's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is parked on a slope of some sort or over loaded, extending the boom to full length when it is in the wrong position can cause the machinery to tip over.