Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts which use an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These machinery enables workers to get up high into previously inaccessible places. In some ways, these machines have made construction much easier and safer, although, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers that could accidentally result in serious injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Usually, falls can happen when workers 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 inappropriately and participates in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain extra height. Furthermore, accidents could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the equipment to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being properly secured.
A lot of workers also fall because the base of their equipment is inadvertently struck by some other heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, hence causing the worker to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has catastrophic results.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are susceptible to tipping over. Tip overs are more common in articulated boom lifts, but could happen in any type of lift. As boom lifts are able to move both horizontally and vertically, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the equipment. Hence, if the lift is parked on a slope of some kind or over loaded, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could cause the machinery to tip over.