For maintenance, building, and emergency response tasks, boom lifts, which fall within the AEWP category, are very beneficial in accessing difficult-to-reach areas. The proper training and authorization are needed to operate a boom lift in Canada. Safety measures must be performed for boom lift operation to work effectively. These seven guidelines will help you securely work on or around boom lifts if your business uses them or will shortly.
1. Be Aware of Your Environment
Employees must be careful to prevent mishaps, whether using the boom lift or working close by. Operating a boom lift involves awareness of what is happening around you, like driving a vehicle or car. To avoid electrocution, one must, for instance, be extremely cautious when operating a boom lift close to hydro lines, leaving a 3-meter (10-foot) space between the equipment and the wires.
2. Don’t overload the lift
Most boom lifts have overweight sensors that prevent them from rising if you go above the safe limit. In the absence of an overweight sensor, overloading could result in the platform toppling. Even if it necessitates making a few extra visits, carrying lighter weights (below the machine’s specified weight limit) is preferred.
3. Ensure that the boom lift is thoroughly inspected.
Before using the equipment, ensure that all the parts are in good working order and that the lift has enough power if you have been permitted to inspect it. Additionally, look for any leaks and address them appropriately. Mistakes could happen if the lift is not thoroughly examined. Every boom lift has an emergency stop button; while you hope you never need it, it might help prevent malfunction-related accidents.
4. Use a Harness.
Wear a harness and fasten it to the guard rail to prevent yourself from falling off the platform. Wearing a harness can save your life in severe winds or a lift malfunction, even though the guard rail is intended to keep you inside the venue.
5. Don’t use the ground controls if the lift is being operated by someone else.
Never deny the occupant of the elevator complete control unless there is an emergency or the rules are malfunctioning. A machine fault or accident may result from attempting to operate two controls simultaneously.
6. Pay attention to falling objects
Always watch for anything, such as tools, equipment, and debris, that could fall to the ground while you are working below the lift. If the lift operator issues any warnings, pay attention to them and take action immediately if you find yourself in the object’s path.
7. Never lean on the guardrails
You could fall out of the basket if you are leaning or hanging over the guard rails, even while wearing a harness. Adjust the lift’s position and height if you can’t reach something. (This also implies that you shouldn’t use anything else to gain additional height, such as ladders.)
A boom lift operator must always adhere to all manufacturer and government safety regulations in addition to the advice given here.
For Effective Prevention & Safety When Using Boom Lifts, Rely on Advanced Consulting & Training
To ensure adequate preventative and ongoing workplace safety, following the numerous safety regulations for using boom lifts is crucial. Boom lifts are a specialty of Advanced Consulting & Training, which also provides site consulting services and has years of experience in the field. Get in touch with us to know how we can assist you in using boom lifts as safely as possible.
