Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These machinery allows employees to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In certain ways, these types of machinery have made construction a lot easier and safer, although, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers that could inadvertently result in serious injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Usually, falls can take place when workers are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can happen when a worker on the platform acts unsuitably and takes part in an activity such as climbing the guard rails in order to gain extra height. Furthermore, accidents could 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. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, therefore causing the worker to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this dangerous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs can happen in any type of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Since boom lifts could move both horizontally and vertically, they are capable of changing the machine's overall center of gravity. Hence, if the lift is parked on an incline of some sort or over loaded, completely extending the boom when it is in the wrong position can cause the machine to tip over.