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