Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like scissor lifts, boom lifts, and articulated booms lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These machinery enables employees to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In certain ways, these types of machines have made construction much easier and safer, although, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards that could inadvertently lead to serious injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Usually, falls could occur when employees are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can happen when somebody on the platform acts inappropriately and partakes in an activity like for instance climbing the guard rails to gain added height. In addition, accidents could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion prior to the worker being correctly secured.
At times employees may fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally by a heavy thing. During 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 outcome.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are prone to tipping over. Tip overs are more common in articulated boom lifts, but can happen in any kind of lift. Since boom lifts could move both vertically and horizontally, they could change the overall center of gravity of the equipment. Thus, 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.