Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are machines that utilize either a series of folding, linked supports, like an articulated boom lift or a scissor lift or a boom lift. These industrial kinds of machinery enable employees to access hard-to-reach places. In some ways, these kinds of machines have made construction a lot easier and safer, although, the overall safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers which can accidentally result in severe injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Usually, falls can happen when employees are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls could take place when a worker on the platform acts unsuitably and partakes in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain extra height. In addition, mishaps can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the employee being correctly secured.
Sometimes employees may fall when the lift's base is struck inadvertently by a heavy object. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, thus causing the employee to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this dangerous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs can occur in any type of lift, but are more frequent in articulated boom lifts. Because boom lifts are able to move both horizontally and vertically, they could change the equipment's overall center of gravity. Thus, if the lift is over loaded or parked on a slope of some sort, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could result in a tip-over situation.