Aerial Manlift Dangers
Aerial manlifts are machines that use either a series of folding, linked supports, like a scissor lift or a boom lift or an articulated boom lift. These industrial pieces of machine enable workers to access hard-to-reach places. In some ways, these types of equipment have made construction much easier and safer, although, the general safety that comes with the unparalleled mobility of aerial manlifts has applied a new list of hazards which can inadvertently cause severe injury or even death to operators who are unaware.
Falls
Normally, falls can take place when employees are unable to correctly secure the lift platform or are unable to wear a safety harness. Falls can happen when someone on the platform acts inappropriately and participates in an activity like for example climbing the guard rails to gain additional height. Also, accidents can be caused if the operator on the ground causes the machine to move in an unexpected motion before the worker being properly secured.
Sometimes workers could fall when the lift's base is struck inadvertently by a heavy thing. In this situation, the force of the blow below becomes amplified by the length of the lift, thus causing the worker to be suddenly catapulted off of the platform. Obviously this dangerous action has terrible results.
Tip-Overs
Sadly, boom lifts are easily susceptible to tipping over. Tip-overs could take place in any type of lift, but are more common in articulated boom lifts. Because boom lifts are able to move both vertically and horizontally, they are capable of changing the overall center of gravity of the machine. Therefore, if the lift is over loaded or parked on a slope of some kind, totally extending the boom when it is in the wrong position can lead to a tip-over situation.