It is our number one priority to provide safe and productive boom lifts for customers who need to work at heights. Once the machine has reached your jobsite, it is on your operators to follow the best operating practices as outlined in the risk assessment manual. The best way to deal with serious incidents and injuries is to avoid them all together. By following these 5 safety tips, you can ensure a safe and productive working environment:
- Perform a pre-operation inspection and function tests
Prior to every use, it is important that the operator performs a pre-operation inspection and function test to ensure that the lift is in tiptop condition. If the machine fails any of these tests, ensure that it is immediately tagged and removed from use until it can be seen by a professional. If it is a rental, contact your supplier immediately and they will arrange a replacement for you.
- Wear the proper fall protection
Two harnesses are provided with every boom lift, and it is required that your operators wear them in order to reduce the potential of them being catapulted from the bucket. The slightest jar at the base of the machine can equate into a sudden and powerful whiplash at the bucket – in this case, wearing fall protection could mean the difference between being knocked around and falling to your death.
- Perform a risk assessment prior to moving the machine
If you need to move the lift from one area of the jobsite to another, you need to first perform a risk assessment. Look for drop-offs, potholes, slopes, slippery or unstable surfaces, overhead obstacles, power lines and other hazards that might exist. You need to develop a plan to avoid these obstacles and hazards, whether you’re moving the machine to a different area or are deploying the bucket near them.
- Don’t sit, stand or climb the guardrails
It is important that operators maintain firm footing on the floor of the bucket at all times. Never sit, stand or climb on the guardrails – even whilst wearing fall protection – as it can be easy to topple over the edge and sustain serious injury. Operators should also never climb down from the bucket whilst it’s raised; have a mobile phone or walkie-talkie on hand so that you can communicate with those on the ground.
- Read, understand and obey all rules and regulations
All operators must have read and understood all of the safety rules and regulations imposed on your particular jobsite, as well as any local or governmental laws that may be applicable to boom lifts. Keep in mind that these rules and regulations can differ between jobsites and areas, so if you work all over the city your operators may need to familiarise themselves each time they embark on a few job.
Keep in mind that we have only scraped the surface when it comes to the safe practices required when operating a boom lift. This is why it is essential that your operators have been appropriately trained and that everyone on the jobsite is aware of the hazards involved. The best piece of advice we can offer in regards to staying safe when using these lifts is to exercise caution and common sense – everything else should fall into place.
Boom Lift Rental Is Better Than Buying Your Own
