Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are machines which utilize either a series of folding, linked supports, like a boom lift or an articulated boom lift or a scissor lift. These industrial kinds of machine allow employees to access hard-to-reach areas. In some ways, these equipment have made construction a lot safer and easier, although, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards that can accidentally cause 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 could occur when a worker on the platform acts wrongly and partakes in an activity such as climbing the guard rails to be able to gain additional height. As well, accidents can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being correctly secured.
Numerous employees also fall because the base of their machine is accidentally struck by some other heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, therefore causing the worker to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Clearly 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 could occur in any kind of lift. As boom lifts could move both vertically and horizontally, they could change the overall center of gravity of the machine. 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 could cause the machinery to tip over.