Safe selection: know all of your needs before choosing an aerial work platform
Published in: Equipment Today Magazine
Date: 8/1/2005
In years past, most overhead access was accomplished by climbing ladders or erecting scaffolding. Today, more and more people are getting to overhead work environments faster and more safely by using aerial work platforms. But before you select a machine for your job, there are some things you should consider.
Selecting the right machine and operating it safely requires more than just knowing how high you want to reach. If you don’t look at all your needs, you might end up with problems.
Obviously, how high an aerial work platform will reach is important. But what good is a machine that is capable of reaching the desired height if you can’t position the machine under the overhead work area. To get the right machine for the job, you need to look at both height and horizontal outreach capabilities. First, you need to determine where you can safely position the machine, then determine what machine will give you the right combination of height and horizontal outreach to access the work area.
What is the operating surface? Is it a concrete slab or soft earth? Is it level or sloped, and is it firm enough to support the machine’s weight? Aerial work platforms can only be operated safely on a firm, level surface, so boom lifts with additional outreach or rough-terrain scissor lifts with outriggers might be required to work in some areas.
What is the operating location? Is it a congested area that requires a tight turning radius or where less tail swing is important? Are there any floor loading requirements where a lighter machine might be necessary? Are there any overhead obstructions? You must always survey the work area to make sure that it is safe to operate the machine in that location.
Check the platform capacity of the machine to determine how much weight it will safely hold and never exceed the stated capacity. Too much weight could make the machine unstable. And don’t hang anything over the side of the platform or fasten boards or tarps to the platform railings for protection from the weather. A strong wind could catch them and affect the stability of the machine when elevated.
Once you have decided on what type and size of machine best meets your needs, consider the type of work you will be performing from the elevated platform and what tools you will need to do the work. JLG offers a variety of Workstation in the Sky options that increase productivity and make overhead work safer.
Built-in generators and compressors in the base of boom lifts, with power cables and air/water lines running through the boom to the platform, are available to power welders and plasma cutters, saws, pressure washing systems and lighting packages. A glass and panel tray is also available to get materials to the work site. These integrated tool systems in the platform increase productivity, eliminate the need for costly ancillary equipment and provide a safer working environment since there are no wires or hoses running over the side of the platform to the ground.
In scissor lifts, a variety of Workstation in the Sky options are available to help position pipe and ductwork, carry drywall panels, pipe and conduit, and install cladding. There are also on-board welding packages and job-specific workstations for electricians, plumbers and plant maintenance personnel.
Aerial work platforms have changed the way we work. They make us more productive and provide a greater degree of safety than other methods of accessing overhead areas. But before selecting a machine, make sure you review all of your needs and jobsite parameters. It will make your job easier and a lot safer.
Information provided by JLG Industries Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2005 Cygnus Business Media