Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial manlifts are machines that use either a series of folding, linked supports, such as a scissor lift or a boom lift or an articulated boom lift. These industrial kinds of machine allow employees to get in touch with hard-to-reach areas. In some ways, these machines 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 hazards which can accidentally cause severe injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Usually, falls can take place when employees are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls could take place when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and takes part in an activity like for instance climbing the guard rails to gain additional height. In addition, mishaps can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion prior to the employee being correctly secured.
At times employees can fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally 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. Clearly this hazardous action has catastrophic results.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily susceptible 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 vertically and horizontally, they could change the machine's overall center of gravity. Thus, if the lift is parked on a slope of some kind or over loaded, extending the boom completely when it is in the wrong position can cause the machinery to tip over.