Aerial Lifts

Aerial Lift Training Guelph - Aerial hoists might be used to accomplish several different duties executed in hard to reach aerial spaces. Many of the odd jobs associated with this style of lift include performing regular preservation on structures with prominent ceilings, repairing phone and utility cables, raising heavy shelving units, and pruning tree branches. A ladder might also be used for some of the aforementioned projects, although aerial lifts offer more safety and strength when correctly used.

There are several versions of aerial hoists available on the market depending on what the task required involves. Painters often use scissor aerial lifts for example, which are categorized as mobile scaffolding, useful in painting trim and reaching the 2nd story and above on buildings. The scissor aerial lifts use criss-cross braces to stretch out and extend upwards. There is a platform attached to the top of the braces that rises simultaneously as the criss-cross braces elevate.

Container trucks and cherry pickers are another variety of aerial hoist. They contain a bucket platform on top of an elongated arm. As this arm unfolds, the attached platform rises. Lift trucks use a pronged arm that rises upwards as the lever is moved. Boom lift trucks have a hydraulic arm which extends outward and elevates the platform. All of these aerial lift trucks require special training to operate.

Through the Occupational Safety & Health Association, also labeled OSHA, training programs are on hand to help ensure the employees meet occupational standards for safety, system operation, inspection and repair and machine cargo capacities. Workforce receive certification upon completion of the classes and only OSHA certified personnel should drive aerial hoists. The Occupational Safety & Health Organization has established guidelines to uphold safety and prevent injury when using aerial lifts. Common sense rules such as not using this piece of equipment to give rides and ensuring all tires on aerial lifts are braced so as to prevent machine tipping are noted within the guidelines.

Sadly, statistics show that over 20 operators die each year while working with aerial lift trucks and 8% of those are commercial painters. The majority of these mishaps are due to inappropriate tire bracing and the lift falling over; for that reason several of these deaths had been preventable. Operators should ensure that all wheels are locked and braces as a critical safety precaution to prevent the machine from toppling over.

Additional guidelines include marking the encircling area of the device in a visible way to safeguard passers-by and to guarantee they do not approach too close to the operating machine. It is crucial to ensure that there are also 10 feet of clearance amid any electrical cables and the aerial hoist. Operators of this equipment are also highly recommended to always wear the proper security harness when up in the air.

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