Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts like scissor lifts, boom lifts, and articulated booms lifts which utilize an articulated boom or a series of folding, linked supports. These machines enables workers to get up high into previously inaccessible places. In some ways, these types of machinery have made construction a lot safer and easier, however, the general safety which comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards which could inadvertently lead to serious injury or even death to unaware drivers.
Falls
Normally, falls could happen when workers are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls could occur when somebody on the platform acts unsuitably and takes part in an activity such as climbing the guard rails in order to gain added height. In addition, mishaps could be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion prior to the worker being properly secured.
At times workers can fall when the base of the lift is struck inadvertently by a heavy thing. 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. Clearly this dangerous action has terrible outcome.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs could occur in any kind of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Since boom lifts can move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the equipment. Therefore, if the lift is parked on an incline of some sort or over loaded, extending the boom completely when it is in the wrong position could cause the machine to tip over.