Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like boom lifts, articulated boom lifts and scissor lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These machinery allows employees to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In certain ways, these kinds of machinery have made construction much easier and safer, however, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards which can accidentally lead to serious injury or even death to unaware operators.
Falls
Typically, falls can take place when workers are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can happen when a worker on the platform acts unsuitably and partakes in an activity like for instance climbing the guard rails to be able to gain additional height. Furthermore, mishaps could be caused if the ground-based operator causes the equipment to move in an unexpected motion prior to the worker being properly secured.
Lots of employees also fall because the base of their equipment is accidentally struck by some other heavy thing. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, therefore causing the employee to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has catastrophic results.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are prone to tipping over. Tip overs are more common in articulated boom lifts, but could happen in any type of lift. As boom lifts can move both horizontally and vertically, they can change the overall center of gravity of the machinery. Hence, if the lift is parked on a slope of some type or over loaded, extending the boom to full length when it is in the wrong position can cause the machinery to tip over.