Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as boom lifts, articulated boom lifts and scissor lifts that utilize an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These machines allows workers to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In some ways, these types of equipment have made construction much easier and safer, however, the overall safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers that could accidentally lead to severe injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Typically, falls could happen when employees are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls could occur when a worker on the platform acts unsuitably and takes part in an activity like for instance climbing the guard rails to be able to gain additional height. Additionally, mishaps can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion prior to the worker being correctly secured.
Sometimes employees could fall when the base of the lift is struck accidentally by a heavy thing. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, therefore causing the worker to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has catastrophic outcome.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs could occur in any kind of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. As boom lifts are able to move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the machinery. Thus, if the lift is parked on an incline of some kind or over loaded, extending the boom to full length when it is in the wrong position could result in a tip-over situation.