Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial manlifts are machines which use either a series of linked, folding supports, like a boom lift or an articulated boom lift or a scissor lift. These industrial pieces of machine enable workers to access hard-to-reach areas. In some ways, these machinery have made construction a lot safer and easier, however, the overall safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has applied a new list of dangers that can accidentally result in serious injury or even death to unaware operators.
Falls
Usually, falls could take place when workers are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls could take place when somebody on the platform acts wrongly and takes part in an activity like for instance climbing the guard rails in order to gain extra height. In addition, mishaps could be caused if the ground-based operator causes the machinery to move in an unexpected motion before the employee being properly secured.
At times workers may fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally by a heavy object. During this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the lift's length, hence causing the worker to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Clearly this hazardous action has terrible outcome.
Tip-Overs
Unfortunately, boom lifts are easily prone to tipping over. Tip-overs can happen in any kind of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Because boom lifts can move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the machinery. Hence, if the lift is over loaded or parked on an incline of some kind, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position could cause the equipment to tip over.