Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial man lifts are personnel lifts such as articulated boom lifts, scissor lifts and boom lifts that use 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 machinery have made construction a lot safer and easier, however, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has implemented a new list of hazards that can accidentally result in severe injury or even death to drivers who are unaware.
Falls
Normally, falls could happen when workers are unable to wear a safety harness or are unable to correctly secure the lift platform. Falls can take place when someone on the platform acts inappropriately and partakes in an activity such as climbing the guard rails to gain additional height. Furthermore, mishaps can be caused if the ground-based operator causes the equipment to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being properly secured.
Sometimes employees can fall when the lift's base is struck accidentally by a heavy thing. In 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. Obviously this dangerous action has catastrophic outcome.
Tip-Overs
Boom lifts are susceptible to tipping over. Tip overs are more frequent in articulated boom lifts, but could happen in any kind of lift. As boom lifts could move both horizontally and vertically, they are capable of changing the machine's overall center of gravity. Hence, if the lift is over loaded or parked on an incline of some kind, extending the boom to full length when it is in the wrong position can lead to a tip-over situation.