Aerial lifts, or any vehicle-mounted device used to elevate workers, have replaced ladders and scaffolding on many construction sites due to their mobility and flexibility. We see them, in fact, in many places—cherry picker platforms, bucket trucks, extendable boom platforms, aerial ladders, and vertical towers.
Like ladders, scaffolds, or any other equipment that assists people in working at heights, aerial lifts pose risks to workers when they aren’t used properly. Falls continue to be the leading cause of death in the construction industry, and they’re a common hazard associated with aerial lifts. They aren’t the only hazard, however. Others include:
- Objects falling from lifts
- Tip-overs
- Collapse
- Electric shock
- Entanglement hazards
What’s the key to avoiding aerial lift hazards and injuries? It’s training. In fact, OSHA requires that only properly trained and authorized users operate aerial lifts. Training should include:
- Explanations of hazards and procedures for dealing with them
- Recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions on the job site
- Instructions for correct operation of the lift, including maximum load capacity
- Demonstration of the skills and knowledge needed to operate an aerial lift before operating it on the job
- Manufacturers’ requirements, and when and how to perform inspections
As an employer, there are additional steps you can take to make aerial lifts safe for your workers. You can start by making sure all workers have the right fall protection systems in place. Also, do not allow your workers on an aerial lift to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Movement of the lift could crush them. In addition, make sure your workers on aerial lifts and elsewhere keep a safe distance away from energized power lines. (Stay tuned for more about electrical safety in an upcoming post.) And of course, you should never override any hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
It’s your responsibility as an employer to make sure your workers have the proper training to keep themselves and others safe on the job site. In the event of an accident, improper use, or if a job requires a different type of lift, you will need to re-train your workers on the safe operation of aerial lifts.
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