Aerial Equipment Safety
Accidents related to power line contact are more common than not. Whether it happens to crane operators or workers on the ground, this is a problem that Sigalarm fights to resolve. But what about the safety of those operating aerial equipment? While Sigalarm proximity alarms are not designed to work within 10 ft from power lines, it is important to address aerial equipment safety.
Aerial Equipment Training
Yes, the first step to avoid aerial equipment accidents is through training. Many workers that operate aerial equipment lack proper training. Thus, leading to injuries. The most common accidents occur with boom lifts and scissor lifts. Boom lifts cause the most accidents due to their height and horizontal reach. Whereas scissor lift accidents happen due to the condition of the job site, driving or working on uneven ground. However, regardless of proper training or not, there are ways to ensure aerial equipment safety at work sites.
Avoid Electrocutions
It is needless to say that electrocutions are involuntary. These are some of the factors that lead to aerial lift electrocution accidents:
- Failure to wear the proper personal protection equipment
- The lift is not set up on stable ground
- Making contact with live power lines due to a lift tip-over
Crew members not working on power lines should always remain at least 10 ft away from them. Also, everyone on the job site should assume that all power lines are active. So, per OSHA recommendations, crew members working near or on power lines should always wear the following:
- Insulated hard hats
- Voltage-rated shoes
- Rubber gloves and sleeves
- Other protective clothing
Prevent Falls
Falls most likely occur when an aerial lift or scissor lift is hit by a crane, vehicle, or some other object. Work sites should have protection measures in place to prevent accidents, in this case falls. OSHA has lift safety training that workers can undergo. This training helps prevent aerial and scissor lift tip-overs, as well as reduce the number of accidents at the worksite.
Aerial Lift Tip-Overs
These types of accidents happen most often when the bucket cable or boom breaks. So, to avoid them, workers should refrain from doing the following:
- Set up the aerial lift between overhead hazards
- Exceed load capacity limits
- Travel to a job site with an elevated lift
- Use the lift on uneven terrain
- Raise the platform in windy conditions
Know the Rules, Be Safe
It is no news that knowledge is power. So, crew members need to learn how to properly operate aerial equipment and know the proper steps to work safely. In addition to knowing the safety rules and how to use the equipment, workers need to use protective gear. Hard hats, safety glasses, and steel-toe boots also contribute to the safety of the crew member at the job site. And finally, employees need to abide by the mandated capacity limits of operation. Calculating the weight limit of the people operating the equipment, the tools, and bucket liners, ensure the aerial lift will be within the safe capacity limit.
Sigalarm Safe
Sigalarm works hard to provide proximity alarms that will ensure safety at the job site. While our proximity alarms are not intended to be used within 10 ft of the power line, our expertise in the matter of safety and decades of serving the community, allows us to give reliable advice to workers and construction companies on these types of accidents.
Sigalarm proximity alarms are a trusted tool for operators, TV Electronic news gathering vans, and even firefighters. Do not compromise your safety, contact us and begin your journey with Sigalarm.
