Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as scissor lifts, boom lifts, and articulated booms lifts that utilize an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These machines allows employees to get up high into previously inaccessible places. In some ways, these types of equipment have made construction much safer and easier, however, the overall safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of dangers which could accidentally result in severe injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Normally, falls could happen when employees are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can take place when a worker on the platform acts inappropriately and participates in an activity such as climbing the guard rails to gain extra height. Furthermore, accidents could be caused if the ground-based operator 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 inadvertently by a heavy object. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, therefore causing the employee to be abruptly catapulted off of the platform. Clearly this dangerous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are susceptible to tipping over. Tip overs are more frequent in articulated boom lifts, but can occur in any kind of lift. Because boom lifts are able to move both vertically and horizontally, they could change the machine's overall center of gravity. Therefore, if the lift is parked on an incline of some kind or over loaded, completely extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could lead to a tip-over situation.