Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial manlifts are equipments that utilize either a series of folding, linked supports, such as a boom lift or an articulated boom lift or a scissor lift. These industrial types of machinery allow workers to access hard-to-reach places. In some ways, these types of equipment have made construction a lot safer and easier, although, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards which can inadvertently result in serious injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Normally, falls can take place when workers are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls could occur when someone on the platform acts wrongly and participates in an activity such as climbing the guard rails to be able to gain additional height. In addition, accidents could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being correctly secured.
A lot of workers also fall because the base of their equipment is accidentally struck by some other heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, thus causing the worker to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs could happen in any type of lift, but are more frequent 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. Thus, if the lift is over loaded or parked on a slope of some sort, extending the boom completely when it is in the wrong position can cause the machinery to tip over.