Lift Safety First
Published in: Arbor Age
Date: 8/1/2000
By: Peterson, Paul
Choose The Best Lift For The Job
Of all the tools of the tree care specialist, the aerial lift is one of the greatest. It can also be one of the most dangerous, if safety precautions are not followed. There are many types of lifts on the market today, at least one for every type of application. Besides the familiar truck mounted lifts, there are several types of self-contained lifts available for rent or purchase. Among these are one-man vertical lifts, scissors lifts, articulated boom lifts, all-terrain lifts, and combinations of these lifts.
As far as safety goes, many of the rules for truck mounted lifts also apply to the self-contained lifts. The appropriate equipment is extremely important. Always wear an approved safety harness, not just a “hank of rope.” Remember, if you should fall, the only thing between you and eternity is that safety harness. Make sure your OSHA approved hard hat fits properly. Also, stay away from energized power lines. If you’re on a rubber-tired lift, you are NOT insulated, and contact with, or proximity to power lines can produce the same result as falling without a safety harness. Keep your distance, and allow for swaying of the equipment. Always know your work area, including the location of any obstacles.
Self-propelled lifts have the advantage of operator maneuverability. With these lifts, the person in the bucket can also control the vehicle. However, there are nearly as many different controls as there are lifts, so know how to use them. Make sure any lift you rent or use has an operators manual. Also make sure the operator has read and understood it. When using a new lift, take it into a wide open area and get a feel for the controls. Knowing the intricacies of the equipment before it’s used on the job may very well prevent an accident. These are just a few suggestions. They are by no means are a replacement for the manual.
For more on safety, you can visit the Equipment Manufacturers Institute’s web site: www.emi.org. They have an excellent general safety manual available, and as always, make sure you have a copy of the manufacturer’s manual.
Choosing the proper lift is the first step to doing the job safely. Although there are many different types available, we’ll look at the most popular models, starting with single-man vertical lifts. These are available in either self-propelled or non-powered types, and operate straight up and down, and only on a flat surface. Possible uses include trimming foliage in a courtyard or building, with the added advantage of easy portability.
Scissors lifts are perhaps the most common lift on any rental lot. There are models available for rough terrain (able to be driven over uneven surfaces) that can support several hundred pounds. They are also available with non-marking tires for use in indoor environments, and with various size platforms, so you are able to customize the lift size to the type of job, and number of lifted workers. Like most lifts, these are available in electric (for inside work) or engine powered models.
What if you need to trim foliage under a bridge, or you need to reach over an obstacle to trim something on the other side? If this is the case, then what you want is an articulated telescopic boom lift. It moves in an arc, in and out, and up and down. These lifts are available in both gas and electric, as well as rough terrain versions. The applications are nearly endless. Articulated lifts are the most versatile of the lot. Of course, considering what they are capable of, they also tend to be a bit more complicated to operate, so allow extra time to become familiar with the controls.
A trailer mounted lift is a close cousin of the articulated lift. These are lightweight, easy to transport, and can maneuver in an arc, up and down, and in a rotation. Of course, one main difference is that this type of lift is not self-propelled. You set it up, level it, and go to work.
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