Aerial lifts, sometimes called aerial work platforms or boom lifts, are equipment that help you get to elevated work areas, and they come in a variety of options. Whether you’re a construction professional who needs to access hard-to-reach roof spots, or an electrician looking to fix lights in the ceiling of a stadium or arena, there’s an aerial lift that will save you time and effort and help you complete your project more efficiently.
Choosing the right aerial lift for your job is critical to safety and success. You need to take into account the number and size of workers, the weight of tools and materials, and the maximum load capacity. Also, make sure you understand the weather conditions in the area you’ll be working. An unexpected gust of wind can easily throw off an unanchored platform.
Before operating any type of lift, a worker must have specialized training and a permit from the manufacturer. This ensures that the operator knows how to properly operate the machine and avoids safety hazards like entanglements, pinch points, structural failures and more. In addition, only authorized personnel should operate an aerial lift, and proper inspection of the vehicle and all lifting components is key to prevent accidents and injuries.
While the vast majority of accidents involving aerial lifts are falls, many other common injuries include electrocutions, tip-overs and getting caught between the platform and an object. To minimize these risks, employees should always wear a fall restraint system, which is a harness with a strap that attaches to the platform to limit the movement of the operator. Workers should also survey the site to look for floor drains, uneven surfaces, pipes, holes, debris and other potential hazards before and during lift operation. Additionally, workers should never lean over the edge of the platform or use planks, ladders or scaffolding on the lift.
The type of work you’ll be doing on an aerial lift will determine the kind of machine you’ll need. For example, if you’ll be using it indoors, you’ll want a scissor lift that’s small enough to fit through doors and narrow aisles. If you’ll be using it outdoors, you’ll need a larger boom lift that can extend to your planned work height.
To reduce noise pollution and fume emissions, consider electric or pneumatic lifts that won’t damage your hearing (warehouses are great echo chambers) or produce toxic fumes. On the other hand, if you’ll be doing heavier-duty work, a straight boom lift may be your best option. These machines are more stable than articulating models and can be used to reach the highest heights of all lift types.