The Top 5 Common Man Lift Hazards You Should Be Aware Of

The Top 5 Common Man Lift Hazards You Should Be Aware Of

Meta Description: Learn about common aerial lift hazards like falls, electrocutions, tip-overs, etc. This guide helps operators recognize risks to stay safe while working at heights.

Aerial, boom, or scissor lifts are commonly used in construction and maintenance work. However, operating such equipment also carries certain risks that operators and employers should be aware of.

This article discusses the top five common aerial or man-lift hazards. Understanding these hazards is crucial for safety on job sites where lifts are used. Proper training and precautions can help reduce the risks.

Key Takeaways

• Proper maintenance of aerial lift hydraulics is essential for safety and equipment life. Inspecting for leaks and conducting scheduled fluid changes can prevent issues.
• Using lifts indoors versus outdoors and in different conditions requires adjusting inspection schedules and maintenance tasks. Harsh weather demands more frequent maintenance.
• Following manufacturer guidelines and tracking equipment usage hours helps determine maintenance needs. With preventive care, lifts remain dependable for safe job site work at heights.

1. Falls from Heights

Falls from elevated heights are one of the most severe hazards associated with aerial lifts. Workers using aerial lifts must work at dangerous heights regularly, increasing the risk of serious injuries or even fatalities if a fall occurs.

Some major causes of falls from aerial lifts include lack of safety equipment, improper positioning of equipment, and distractions while operating aerial lifts.

Lack of Safety Equipment

Fall protection equipment such as full-body harnesses, lanyards, and safety nets prevent falls from aerial lifts. However, if such equipment is not provided or workers are not appropriately trained, the fall risk increases significantly.

Employers must provide all the necessary fall protection safety gear and ensure workers are well-versed in using it for safety.

Improper Positioning of Equipment

Aerial lifts should only be used on level surfaces away from edges, holes, or other hazards. Using lifts on uneven or sloped surfaces can cause them to become unstable and increase the risk of a tip-over. Positioning equipment close to unprotected edges also leaves workers vulnerable to a fall. Ensuring lifts are set up safely per the manufacturer’s instructions is essential.

Ensuring the availability of necessary safety equipment, safe positioning of aerial lifts, and an environment free of distractions are some of the key aspects that can help reduce the risk of falls from heights while working with aerial lifts. Fall hazards need to be addressed diligently to prevent serious injuries to workers.

2. Contact with Electrical Wires

Working near power lines and other electrical equipment poses serious risks that aerial lift operators must be aware of. Contacting live wires and exposed circuits can easily prove fatal if proper precautions are not taken.

Working Near Power Lines

According to industry guidelines, workers using aerial lifts like boom lifts or scissor lifts must maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet from all power lines. It’s also important to visually inspect an area for any power lines that may not be apparent before raising an aerial work platform.

Lines should be de-energized or relocated to remove the electrocution hazard entirely if work must be done nearby.

Proximity to Other Electrical Equipment

In addition to power lines, exposed electrical equipment on construction sites and other work environments can endanger aerial lift operators if contacted. This may include unfinished wiring, live circuits, transformers, and more.

As with power lines, workers must be aware of overhead and surrounding electrical hazards and never bring an aerial lift basket or boom within the minimum safe distance guidelines. It’s equally important to cover or insulate any exposed live parts near work areas as an additional precaution.

Following electrical safety practices is essential for familiar aerial lift operators to avoid the all too real risk of electrocution when working at height.

3. Equipment Tip-overs and Collapsing

Tip-overs and collapses of aerial lifts are serious safety hazards that can have devastating consequences. Boom lift operators must understand tip-over causes to prevent accidents or injuries.

Exceeding Weight Limits

One of the leading causes of aerial lift tip-overs is exceeding the equipment’s weight limits. All aerial lifts have a maximum load capacity to ensure stability when in operation. Overloading the lift with too many workers, heavy tools, or materials on the platform can alter its center of gravity and cause it to shift or tip over suddenly. Operators of hydraulic lifts must always check the rated load capacity of their equipment, which is typically found on a manufacturer’s plate, and never exceed the weight thresholds.

Uneven or Unstable Ground

Ground conditions also play an essential role in equipment stability. Aerial lifts are engineered and tested to operate on firm, level surfaces. Positioning the equipment on uneven or soft ground, especially with an elevated platform, can lead to sinking, tilting, or losing balance.

Before using the hydraulic aerial lift, operators must inspect the terrain and never set the outriggers or wheels on uneven, sloped surfaces, soft soil, or near holes and drop-offs that could give way.

Severe weather like strong winds, rain, snow, and lightning increases the risk of tip-overs and equipment failure. During storms and high winds, aerial lifts can more easily lose stability or blow over if the platform is raised. Operators should delay work with aerial lift use, scissor lifts, hydraulic lines, or boom lifts until weather conditions are safe again to avoid weather-related accidents.

4. Falling Objects

Falling objects from elevated heights are a severe concern for aerial platforms, lift operators, and those working near lifts. When objects are dropped or not secured properly in the work platform, it can lead to injuries or worse. Proper training on securing loads and using tools safely in an aerial platform or lift is essential for preventing such accidents.

Dropping Tools and Materials

When tools or construction materials are not firmly held or put away. At the same time, when the aerial lift platform is used or in operation, it increases the risk of the items slipping out of hands or storage and falling from the work area. Workers operating aerial lifts must pay close attention to ensure that nothing is accidentally dislodged from the lift basket or platform during travel or work.

Any large or heavy construction materials carried up in an aerial lift for overhead work must also be securely fastened to prevent it from accidentally sliding or tipping over the edge during lifting or lowering. Unsecured loads pose dangers for both the operator and others on the ground.

5. Collisions and Entanglements

Aerial lifts are commonly used in construction sites and warehouses where the risk of collisions and entanglements is high. Proper training and following safety protocols can help avoid accidents and injuries from such hazards.

Avoiding Other Structures and Vehicles

The operator needs complete visibility around the equipment when operating an aerial lift. Before driving the aerial lift tips, however, the operator must check for any obstacles above and around the work area. Moving the lift with the platform raised can reduce visibility further.

It is best to drive the lift only when the platform is lowered. Operators also need to be careful near roads and traffic. Flags, barricades, emergency controls, or spotters can help avoid collisions with other vehicles.

Preventing Body Parts from Getting Caught

Getting body parts entangled while working with an aerial lift can lead to severe injuries. Operators should always keep all their body parts inside the lift basket or platform. They must avoid reaching out or leaning over the edge more than the equipment design allows.

Proper training in aerial lift safety ensures operators are aware of hazards like collisions and entanglements. Following safety protocols can help avoid accidents and injuries from such risks. Regular inspection and equipment maintenance also play a vital role in safe work.