Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are machines that use either a series of folding, linked supports, like a scissor lift or a boom lift or an articulated boom lift. These industrial types of machine allow workers to access hard-to-reach areas. In certain ways, these types of machinery have made construction a lot safer and easier, although, the overall safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers that can inadvertently result in severe injury or even death to unaware drivers.
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 occur when somebody on the platform acts wrongly and takes part in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain extra height. Moreover, mishaps can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion prior to the worker being properly secured.
Sometimes workers may fall when the base of the lift is struck inadvertently by a heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, hence causing the worker to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this dangerous action has catastrophic outcome.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs can take place in any type of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. As boom lifts are able to move both vertically and horizontally, they could change the machinery's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is parked on a slope of some type or over loaded, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position can result in a tip-over situation.