Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These equipment enables workers to get up high into previously inaccessible places. In some ways, these types of machinery have made construction much safer and easier, however, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has applied a new list of hazards which can inadvertently cause serious injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Typically, falls can take place when workers are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can happen when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and participates in an activity like for example climbing the guard rails to be able to gain extra height. Moreover, mishaps could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being properly secured.
Many employees also fall because the base of their machinery is accidentally struck by some other heavy object. In 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. Obviously this hazardous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs can occur in any kind of lift, but are more frequent in articulated boom lifts. Since boom lifts can move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the machine's overall center of gravity. 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.