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 places. In some ways, these kinds of machinery 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 hazards which can inadvertently lead to severe injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Typically, falls can occur when workers are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can take place when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and partakes in an activity like climbing the guard rails to gain added height. As well, accidents can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the employee being correctly secured.
At times workers can fall when the base of the lift is struck inadvertently by a heavy thing. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, hence causing the worker to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this hazardous action has catastrophic results.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are prone to tipping over. Tip overs are more frequent in articulated boom lifts, but could occur in any type of lift. Since boom lifts can move both vertically and horizontally, they can change the machinery's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is over loaded or parked on a slope of some kind, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could cause the machinery to tip over.