Your aerial lift equipment rental has arrived on the worksite and you’re ready to get working. Few things have made construction projects safer and more productive than aerial lift equipment. However, lift equipment should still be respected and approached with a safety first mindset. Fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers. The good news is, every death could have been prevented. The following safety operating tips are critical for reducing the likelihood of a potentially deadly fall.
Get Proper Training
Both hands on and practical training is essential for safe aerial lift operation. Thoroughly read the operator’s manual and safety signs on the machine. Make sure you understand the function and location of all safety devices and controls before ever beginning operation.
Know the Project Site Rules
Always read, understand and obey employer’s safety rules and worksite regulations, as well as all applicable local, governmental, or provincial regulations that apply to a particular machine you’re operating before operating the machine.
Always Perform Pre-Operation Inspection and Function Tests
A level sensor, alarm, or any other safety device cannot do its job if it has been disabled or has malfunctioned. If your machine fails any of the pre-operation tests, make sure it’s immediately tagged and removed from service until it can be repaired by a qualified service technician.
Always Wear Proper Fall Protection
A properly fitted fully body harness and appropriate lanyard or self-retracting lifeline saves lives. Unfortunately, a lot of operators do not understand the potential for being catapulted from the platform or boom. The slightest jar at the base of the machine can equate into a sudden and powerful whiplash at the platform that may have the potential to toss the operator off the platform.
Stay Off the Guardrails
The guardrails on aerial equipment provide fall protection only if the operator maintains a firm footing on the platform at all times. Never sit, stand or climb on the guardrails for any reason. If an operator is required to reach an overhead work area that is too small for the platform guardrails to allow access to, the use of a manufacturer-approved device that has been designed to provide additional access to confined spaces is recommended.
Keep it Clean
Always keep the platform floor clear of debris. Scrap materials, buckets, large tool boxes and other items can be serious tripping hazards. Remove any items from the platform that are not absolutely necessary to accomplish your work. Utilize special manufacturer-approved attachments such as fluorescent tube caddies or panel cradles to lift large or bulky items.
Whatever type of aerial rental equipment you’re using on a project site keeping safety first and not trying to cut corners always makes for the most efficient use of your time. If you have questions about properly using your rental equipment give us a call and we’ll help you make sure you’re taking the safest and most effective approach possible every time you send an employee skyward. (866)-438-3853
