Selecting and operating aerial work platforms
Published in: EC&M Electrical Construction & Maintenance
Date: 5/1/1993
By: Tillman, Mitch
Guidelines in choosing and operating aerial platforms, as well as safety precautions to be taken in using aerial platforms are presented. The kind of machines most often used, equipment portability, safety considerations and budgetary constraints are some of the factors that should be taken into account in selecting platforms. Training of operators, acquaintance with manual instructions and awareness of label warnings on the equipment are requisites for smooth and safe platform operation.
What function and safety guidelines should be used in selecting and operating aerial work platforms?
ELECTRICAL contractors, and even some maintenance personnel, have used aerial work platforms at one time or another. Depending on the frequency of use, this type of capital equipment is either rented or purchased. With the variety currently available, however, your choice of equipment can be a time consuming and confusing task. To help you make the correct choice, let’s talk about some of the features on which you should key your purchase decision.
Selection guidelines
Frequency of use. Your first task is to look at your job records over the past two to three years. What type of machine did you use most frequently? With this in mind, you can focus your investigation to that type meeting your specific needs.
The majority of you will find that your preferred equipment for purchase is a scissors lift with a platform height to 20 ft and a working height up to 26 ft because this size meets the requirements of 90% of your jobs. For greater platform and working height requirements, you should rent the appropriate equipment.
Maneuverability. In many instances, you may be the first on the construction job and the last to leave. This means that you need a machine that maneuvers easily around construction materials and other obstructions, while moving through standard doorways when the job is completed. If future work is required, such as for renovation or repair, maneuverability will be every bit as important.
Demonstrations. Prior to making your final selection, you should witness equipment demonstrations from three or more manufacturers. This will enable you to clearly understand the differences in makes, such as platform load capacity and extendability, battery system type and voltage, inside and outside turning radii, and machine width.
Price. When buying or renting aerial lift platforms, never make price your sole consideration. Low-ball pricing should always be suspect. Invariably, you may be short-changed as far as equipment features, customer service, maintenance, etc. Remember, you get what you pay for.
Safety
Increasingly tough OSHA regulations make equipment safety a primary consideration. Also, two American National Standards Institute/Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI/SIA) standards, published in January, 1991, provide aerial work platform design and testing criteria for manufacturers. Their primary purpose, however, is to prevent accidents while developing an understanding of responsibility of everyone involved. The provisions apply to both new and used units delivered for sale, rental, or lease.
ANSI/SIA A92.3-1990 (for manually propelled elevating aerial work platforms) and A92.6-1990 (for self-propelled elevating work platforms) reflect the consensus thinking of manufacturers, dealers, owners, and end users that understanding and compliance with their provisions will result in improved aerial work platform safety.
Analysis of accidents involving this type of equipment has shown that poor operator training is the primary cause. As a result, the ANSI/SIA standards address the training issue quite heavily, with all parties charged with specific responsibilities.
Manufacturers are responsible for developing adequate training manuals for both maintenance and operation. A suitable weather-resistant compartment for these manuals must be incorporated in the design of the equipment.
Dealers are held responsible for ensuring that the above manuals are actually with the equipment for each delivery for sale, rental, or lease.
Owners have multiple responsibilities. They must ensure that the training manuals are always kept with the equipment and that those directed to operate the equipment have been trained in accordance with these manuals. In addition, owners must ensure that frequent and annual inspections per manufacturer’s recommendations be conducted.
Civil liability is the main reason for stressing the importance of compliance to these standards. Since OSHA laws are not admissible in most jurisdictions, attorneys rely on what is called “custom and practice” (which would include adherence to the ANSI/SIA standards) in order to establish responsibility. Failure to comply with any industry standards can be used against a defendant, inferring that he or she acted with indifference or conscious disregard for the safety of others.
Training and operating requirements
Before being authorized to operate an aerial work platform, an operator must go through the following steps.
* Take instruction from a qualified person in the purpose and function of each of the equipment controls.
* Read and understand the manufacturer’s operating instructions or, as an alternate, be trained by a qualified person on the its contents.
* Read and understand all equipment-mounted decals, warning signs, and instructions.
Dealers, owners, and end users must retain records for three years of all personnel completing this training. Similar requirements are specified for predelivery preparation, inspections (both frequent and annual), and maintenance and repair.
In addition to the above, the operator should conduct a workplace inspection and verify that the equipment be operated with the following safeguards.
* Operating surface (ground, floor, etc.) must be within the limits specified by the manufacturer.
* All stability mechanisms required by the manufacturer must be employed.
* All guard rails must be installed and any access gates or openings must be closed.
* All handled loads must be within the manufacturer’s specified equipment capacity.
* Ensure that there are adequate clearances from overhead obstacles.
* Maintain minimum safe approach distances to energized power lines.
* All personnel on the platform must be wearing designated safety gear.
Mitch Tillman is co-owner and vice-president of Frontenac Equipment, Inc. St. Louis, MO, distributors of Mayville Engineering (MEC) aerial work platforms.
COPYRIGHT 1993 PRIMEDIA Business Magazines & Media Inc. All rights reserved.