Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like boom lifts, articulated boom lifts and scissor lifts that use an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These equipment enables workers to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In certain ways, these kinds of machines 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 inadvertently cause severe injury or even death to unaware drivers.
Falls
Typically, falls could happen when employees are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls could happen when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and participates in an activity like for example climbing the guard rails to gain added height. In addition, mishaps can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the equipment to move in an unexpected motion prior to the employee being properly secured.
Numerous workers also fall because the base of their equipment is inadvertently struck by some other heavy object. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, therefore causing the employee to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs could occur in any type of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Since boom lifts can move both horizontally and vertically, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the machinery. Hence, if the lift is over loaded or parked on an incline of some kind, completely extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could result in a tip-over situation.