Aerial Manlift Hazards
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts that use an articulated boom or a series of linked, folding supports. These equipment allows workers to get up high into previously inaccessible areas. In certain ways, these types of equipment have made construction much safer and easier, although, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards that could accidentally cause severe injury or even death to unaware drivers.
Falls
Normally, falls could occur when employees are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can occur when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and participates in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain added height. Moreover, mishaps can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion prior to the employee being properly secured.
At times employees may fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally by a heavy object. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, hence causing the employee to be suddenly 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 frequent in articulated boom lifts, but can occur in any type of lift. As boom lifts can move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the machine's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is parked on a slope of some type or over loaded, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could cause the machinery to tip over.