Aerial Lifts

Aerial platform lifts might be used to accomplish many distinctive duties done in hard to reach aerial places. Many of the tasks associated with this style of jack include performing regular maintenance on buildings with lofty ceilings, repairing telephone and utility lines, raising heavy shelving units, and pruning tree branches. A ladder could also be used for some of the aforementioned tasks, although aerial lifts provide more security and strength when properly used.

There are a couple of distinctive versions of aerial lift trucks accessible, each being able to perform slightly unique jobs. Painters will sometimes use a scissor lift platform, which can be utilized to get in touch with the 2nd story of buildings. The scissor aerial jacks use criss-cross braces to stretch out and extend upwards. There is a table attached to the top of the braces that rises simultaneously as the criss-cross braces lift.

Bucket trucks and cherry pickers are a different type of aerial lift. They contain a bucket platform on top of a long arm. As this arm unfolds, the attached platform rises. Lift trucks utilize a pronged arm that rises upwards as the lever is moved. Boom lifts have a hydraulic arm which extends outward and lifts the platform. Every one of these aerial platform lifts call for special training to operate.

Through the Occupational Safety & Health Association, also labeled OSHA, education programs are offered to help make certain the workers meet occupational values for safety, machine operation, inspection and maintenance and machine weight capacities. Workers receive certification upon completion of the lessons and only OSHA qualified personnel should drive aerial lift trucks. The Occupational Safety & Health Organization has established guidelines to maintain safety and prevent injury while utilizing aerial platform lifts. Common sense rules such as not using this piece of equipment to give rides and ensuring all tires on aerial hoists are braced so as to hinder machine tipping are mentioned within the guidelines.

Sadly, statistics reveal that more than 20 aerial lift operators die each year when operating and just about ten percent of those are commercial painters. The bulk of these incidents were brought on by inadequate tie bracing, hence a few of these could have been prevented. Operators should make certain that all wheels are locked and braces as a critical security precaution to prevent the instrument from toppling over.

Marking the surrounding area with noticeable markers need to be utilized to protect would-be passers-by in order that they do not come near the lift. Also, markings must be placed at about 10 feet of clearance between any electric cables and the aerial lift. Lift operators must at all times be appropriately harnessed to the lift while up in the air.

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