Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These machinery allows workers to get up high into previously inaccessible places. In certain ways, these types of machinery have made construction a lot easier and safer, however, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has applied a new list of dangers which can accidentally cause serious injury or even death to unaware operators.
Falls
Normally, falls can take place when workers are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can take place when someone on the platform acts inappropriately and partakes in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain added height. Additionally, accidents can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being properly secured.
At times workers may fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally by a heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, hence causing the employee to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Clearly this dangerous action has catastrophic outcome.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs could take place in any kind of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Because boom lifts are able to move both horizontally and vertically, they could change the overall center of gravity of the equipment. Therefore, if the lift is parked on a slope of some sort or over loaded, completely extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could lead to a tip-over situation.