Aerial Lift Operator Safety

Hire, train and test aerial lift operators.

Overall, employers need to make sure aerial lift operators are trained to follow safety procedures. In order to verify the person operating the aerial lift is trained and familiar with the safety procedures, we recommend having employees demonstrate their knowledge before going in the field to operate the piece of equipment. This way the employer can be confident knowing that the employee is well versed in the operation of the equipment and any necessary safety measures. The reason we note this tip first is that if you have a trained person using the lift, they should be familiar with the overwhelming majority of the tips on this list. However, whether you are the employer or the employee, it is good to be familiar with the aerial lift operator safety tips to ensure your aerial lift is being used safely.

保持清晰的心灵，完全专注于操作空中电梯。

Do not use aerial lifts (or any construction equipment) under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Accidents happen without these influences, so adding either of these to the mix increases risk for the operator and co-workers.

In addition to drugs and alcohol, just fooling around and practical jokes can put you and co-workers at risk. Keep it out of the work zone altogether. Make sure you are giving your full attention and focus to operating the aerial lift and following all safety precautions.

Always wear protective equipment.

这种空中升降机安全规则是所有设备的常用 - 确保您有安全帽，安全眼镜和钢趾靴即可到达。如果发生了任何类型的事故，这些类型的安全设备可以帮助最小化您的伤害。除了穿着保护设备外，确保你没有穿着宽松的衣服，可以在升降机的任何部位陷入困境（我们建议拉回长发）。

Inspect the aerial lift prior to use.

The aerial lift should be inspected prior to use. Regardless of what type you are using, there are a variety of cords, pulleys, cables and chains that work together to make the lift work. They should be visually inspected to make sure that nothing is loose or out of place. Tires, wheels and casters should also be visually inspected — a solid foundation is essential to safely moving aerial lifts, so it is important that the tires and wheels are in good shape. The lift controls should be tested on site before anyone gets on the platform or in the bucket to ensure everything is working properly. If something seems to be malfunctioning or damaged, the aerial lift should not be used.

Follow capacity limits.

应严格遵循制造商的容量限制。这看起来像是一个无意识的人，但除了人的重量，它也包括所有工具和桶衬垫。计算重量可能需要额外的时间，特别是如果在最后一分钟拍摄了额外的工具。无论如何，计算和确保您在允许的容量中所需的时间是值得的，因为一个或多个人将依靠电梯来抓住它们。Make sure all debris is cleared off of the platform and out of the bucket, too – not only does that help free up some space, but it also helps ensure there isn’t anything extra to cause you to slip or trip as you’re working.

Don’t put scaffolding on the aerial lift platform.

除了在空中电梯的容量限制之外，还应确保您不使用平台或铲斗的空中电梯作为另一块脚手架的支撑系统。无论它是否落在容量限制内，添加脚手架甚至像步进凳一样小，让您处于跌倒的风险。你的脚应该在平台上持平在平台上或桶装（理想情况下是一些防滑踩）。

Keep your distance from power lines and wires.

提到了在前三种最常见的伤害或死亡中的抗动力可能让你感到惊讶。但是在空中升降机经常使用的高度，有很好的机会，您将在某个点处具有电源线的水平。电源线，电线和其他导体应该被视为当它们是实时导线，即使它们出现绝缘或者您知道它们已关闭。为了安全，始终保持在您和任何电力线之间至少10英尺或三米的距离。

不要覆盖安全功能。

几乎所有的空中升降机都有一些内置的安全功能，无论是液压，机械还是电气。在任何情况下都不建议使用覆盖这些安全功能。制造商以您的安全解决这些功能，不应被覆盖。

小心使用通风差的区域使用空中升降机。

Finally, we want to mention that aerial lifts can create sparks that could ignite any flammable substance — including vapors, fibers and dusts that may be in the atmosphere. Usually a leak or spill of a flammable liquid would be reason to cease work on site, however, while uncommon, these flammable vapors, fibers and dusts could be an issue if you are using an aerial lift in an area with poor ventilation. It is something every aerial lift operator should be aware of; even if it is something they never have to deal with.

In addition to all of these general aerial lift operator safety measures, there are additional safety measures that should be taken for the specific type of lift you’re working with. Scissor lifts and boom lifts work differently, and while they share some safety precautions, they also have some of their own.

剪刀安全提示

Scissor lifts have a platform that moves straight up and down. Around the work platform, there is a mid rail and a top rail to protect workers from falling off the platform. When these lifts are extended and stationary, they can serve a purpose similar to scaffolding, and, therefore, have many of the same risks. However, the fact that the scissor lifts have the ability to move gives them a set of risks that scaffolding does not have. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have investigated injuries and fatalities as a result of using scissor lifts and found that the majority of them came down to preventable issues, such as stabilization, fall protection and positioning.

保持坚定，级别的地面。

When scissor lifts are elevated, they are very tall and narrow, making them susceptible to tipping over if they are not stabilized and/or moved properly. The first step to preventing the lift from tipping over is to ensure it is on firm, stable, level ground. The base needs to have a strong, even foundation to support the lift when it is elevated. If you don’t have the most level ground to work with, make sure you’re using brakes and wheel chocks, as necessary — especially on an incline.

Avoid windy weather.

第二步是确保您只能在它可以处理的天气条件下运行剪刀升降机。由于它在升高的位置非常高并且细长，因此您希望避免在风的条件下使用它。这似乎可能需要很多才能推动剪刀过度，但现实是一个很好的风力可以做到这一点。不确定限​​制是什么？别担心，用户的手册会给你一个限制，但它通常最多28英里每小时。

Put distance between the scissor lift and other equipment.

Wind isn’t the only thing that can have enough force to tip a scissor lift over, which brings us to our third step — make sure the scissor lift is out of the way of other equipment. If you are working in tight quarters, this may mean alternating activity with other construction equipment and workers. This can be an inconvenience, especially when you are on a tight schedule, but it’s worth it to avoid the risk of equipment bumping into a scissor lift, causing it to tip over.

Do not move the scissor lift in an upright position.

The final precautionary step you can take to prevent your scissor lift from tipping over is to avoid moving while operating a scissor lift in an upright position — no matter how small the distance. Some models may permit a certain level of movement with it in a partially elevated position, but never make any assumptions. Always make sure you consult the manufacturer’s owner manual so you aren’t putting anyone in danger.

Beware of collapsing.

While it is rare, it’s worth noting that scissor lifts can be unstable in another way: It’s possible that they can collapse. There are safety features built into these aerial lifts to ensure this doesn’t happen, and those features should be tested and maintained as needed — never bypassed. Why would you bypass a safety feature? Sometimes bypassing a safety feature could give you the ability to move the piece of equipment more quickly and conveniently. While there may be temporary benefits, the risks involved are not worth it.

不要爬上或坐在栏杆上。

In addition to the risks of tipping over and collapsing, there is also a risk of falling from the work platform when it is elevated. The mid and top rails are meant to protect workers from falling, but they are not meant to be climbed on or sat upon. The first step in preventing falls from scissor lifts is to make sure these rails are securely in place.

Is anything loose? Is everything on the platform securely fastened? Regardless of how recently the equipment was used, make sure you do your own inspection to minimize risks and ensure the safe use of scissor lifts.

第二步是确保中型和顶部导轨仅被用作边界，而不是别的。虽然剪刀升降机做好工人需要他们需要的高度，但平台的宽度限制了您可以覆盖多少水平空间。而不是花时间降低剪刀升降，而是几英尺移动整个升降机，可能很诱人在轨道上爬上轨道以试图到达该地区。这可能导致工人从工作平台下降，导致严重伤害和有时死亡。

Position the scissor lift properly and map out any movement across the site.

The positioning of the scissor lift while on a job site is also important to take into consideration to maximize the safety of employees. Make sure traffic controls are in place to avoid any vehicle or other equipment coming in contact with the scissor lift, especially when it’s in an elevated position. If you must move the scissor lift while it’s in an elevated position, map out the route you’re taking across the job site, no matter how short the distance, to ensure you will avoid electrical lines and any other objects that may be in your way.

Boom Lift Safety

There are two different types of boom lifts (also known as man lifts): telescopic and articulated boom lifts.

平台移动如何取决于类型的繁荣lift. Telescopic boom lifts extend straight out horizontally, and then up and down. Articulated boom lifts, on the other hand, have joints in their extension (also known as knuckle lifts), giving them more flexibility.

戴上线束并将挂绳固定到桶里。

Since these lifts are not just going straight up in the air, there’s additional risk for the person riding in the platform. Regardless of whether you’re in a telescopic or articulating boom lift, make sure you always wear your harness and securely fasten the lanyard to the platform as instructed in the manufacturer’s manual. Falling out of the platform may seem unlikely, but an unexpected force from a collision with another piece of equipment or a gust of wind could knock you out off of the platform; without a harness and lanyard, it could result in serious injury or death.

Do not use a boom lift to lift heavy supplies.

Boom lifts are meant to lift people and tools to reach a certain area to work. They are not meant to lift heavy supplies — if you need to lift heavy supplies, you need to use a crane. Trying to use a boom lift to raise heavy supplies off the ground could result in tipping the lift over or something worse — putting those using the lift and those in the area at risk for injury or death. Know the capacity requirements and the acceptable uses and stick to them.

Do not climb or sit on the edge of the work platform.

虽然平台尺寸可能在剪刀升降机和动臂升降机之间有所不同 - 规则是相同的。永远不要爬上或坐在平台的边缘。如果您无法到达遥不可及的区域遇到困难，请与繁荣升降机运营商一起使用，以进入所需的位置。在任何情况下都没有尝试通过攀爬平台的边缘来达到。

Clear people from the base and entire circumference of the boom lift.

由于电梯的运动范围大于繁荣a scissor lift, it affects a larger area on site. Workers should avoid not only the base of the boom lift, but also the entire circumference of the boom lift, which can be a wide area. This may seem like an excessive measure to take, but tools or other pieces of equipment can be accidentally dropped from the basket and result in an injury to someone on the ground. In rare cases, boom lifts can tip over, much like scissor lifts, but with a greater reach, the boom lift could cause catastrophic damage. To be safe, make sure the area is completely clear.

Follow manufacturing instructions for moving around the job site.

When moving the boom lift around the job site, make sure you know whether it can be moved in an upright position. If it is not meant to be in motion while it is extended, do not try to move it. And even if it is permitted to move while fully extended, avoid it if possible. Navigating around a job site with a boom lift fully extended puts the person in the work platform at risk, and also puts the operator at risk for bumping into other pieces of equipment, structures or even electrical wires. With or without someone in the bucket, you have an increased risk of an accident, so we recommend keeping the bucket down when navigating around the job site.

出租空中电梯

Another part of aerial lift safety is the maintenance of the machine. Just like a car or truck, they need to be inspected and taken care of — without regular maintenance, over time they can be more likely to malfunction and break, putting users and others at risk. If you own, or are interested in purchasing an aerial lift, this is something to keep in mind. While maintenance can be expensive, it is an investment that needs to be made for the sake of your employees. If maintenance proves to be too expensive for you, or you are considering renting an aerial lift, you need to make sure the company you rent from has kept up with the maintenance on their models.