Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as boom lifts, articulated boom lifts and scissor lifts that use an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These equipment enables workers to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In some ways, these types of machines have made construction a lot safer and easier, however, the overall safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has applied a new list of hazards that could inadvertently result in severe injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Typically, falls can occur when employees are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls could take place when someone on the platform acts inappropriately and takes part in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain added height. Moreover, mishaps can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the employee being properly secured.
At times employees may fall when the base of the lift is struck inadvertently by a heavy thing. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, hence causing the employee to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Clearly this hazardous action has catastrophic results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs could take place in any kind of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Because boom lifts could move both horizontally and vertically, they can change the machine's overall center of gravity. Hence, if the lift is over loaded or parked on an incline of some kind, extending the boom to full length when it is in the wrong position could result in a tip-over situation.