Aerial Lifts

Aerial Lift Training Burlington - Aerial lift trucks can be utilized to accomplish certain unique duties performed in hard to reach aerial spaces. A few of the tasks associated with this type of jack include performing regular preservation on buildings with lofty ceilings, repairing phone and utility lines, raising burdensome shelving units, and trimming tree branches. A ladder could also be utilized for some of the aforementioned projects, although aerial lifts provide more security and stability when correctly used.

There are a couple of different models of aerial lift trucks accessible, each being capable of performing slightly different tasks. Painters will usually use a scissor lift platform, which is able to be used to get in touch with the 2nd story of buildings. The scissor aerial lifts use criss-cross braces to stretch out and lengthen upwards. There is a platform attached to the top of the braces that rises simultaneously as the criss-cross braces elevate.

Cherry pickers and bucket lift trucks are another type of the aerial lift. Typically, they contain a bucket at the end of an elongated arm and as the arm unfolds, the attached bucket lift rises. Platform lifts utilize a pronged arm that rises upwards as the lever is moved. Boom hoists have a hydraulic arm that extends outward and lifts the platform. Every one of these aerial lift trucks call for special training to operate.

Through the Occupational Safety & Health Association, also called OSHA, instruction courses are offered to help make sure the workers meet occupational principles for safety, machine operation, inspection and upkeep and machine load capacities. Workers receive qualifications upon completion of the lessons and only OSHA certified personnel should operate aerial lifts. The Occupational Safety & Health Organization has established guidelines to maintain safety and prevent injury while utilizing aerial lifts. Common sense rules such as not utilizing this piece of equipment to give rides and making sure all tires on aerial hoists are braced so as to prevent machine tipping are noted within the guidelines.

Unfortunately, statistics illustrate that in excess of 20 operators pass away each year while running aerial lifts and 8% of those are commercial painters. The majority of these incidents are due to improper tire bracing and the lift falling over; therefore some of these deaths had been preventable. Operators should ensure that all wheels are locked and braces as a critical security precaution to prevent the instrument from toppling over.

Other suggestions involve marking the surrounding area of the machine in a visible way to protect passers-by and to ensure they do not come too close to the operating machine. It is imperative to ensure that there are also 10 feet of clearance between any power cables and the aerial hoist. Operators of this machinery are also highly recommended to always have on the proper safety harness when up in the air.

Click to Download the pdf