5 Tips to Prevent Boom Lift Mishaps in the Workplace
One of the most versatile types of aerial lifts, boom lifts can lift workers to elevated heights, providing safe and easy access to work areas which otherwise might not be reachable. No matter which industry you work in – oil and gas, construction, utilities, telecommunications, or any other – a boom lift can help you easily scale to challenging heights and perform the intended job successfully. However, being lifted to such elevated heights daily does pose a serious threat to the workers’ safety when operating a boom lift. If you are considering a boom lift hire in London to use at your job site, the following safety precautions may help you prevent potential mishaps associated with boom lifts.
1- Do not exceed the maximum weight capacity
The combined weight of the worker, materials, and tools on the lift’s platform should never exceed its maximum capacity. You risk serious accidents on the job site by exceeding the weight limits.
2- Clear the area near the base of the lift
Not only the workers in the lift’s basket run the risk of serious injury. Those standing below the lift can also experience injuries if a heavy object or stray tool falls off the basket on the ground below. To keep the workers on the ground safe, mark a designated zone beneath the lift where no one should be allowed to come when the lift is being operated.
3- Avoid operating the lift in bad weather
Operating the boom lift in poor weather conditions can pose a significant risk to the safety of workers and should be avoided. High winds may cause them to lose balance on a boom lift and fall off the basket.
4- Always wear a safety harness
Falls from height are among the most common boom lift mishaps that result in severe injuries and even death on the job site. From strong winds to collisions with objects or structures, it does not take much to cause workers to lose balance and experience a fall. That’s why it is essential always to wear a safety harness while performing the intended job at an elevated height.
5- Invest in the necessary training
Even if you are experienced in operating heavy-duty construction machines or self-propelled aerials, you may need to invest in the training required to operate a boom lift. That’s because no two boom lifts are the same. It is important to receive the necessary training on safe lift operation and how to handle potential emergencies for the specific boom lift make and model you choose through boom lift hire in London.
To find the safest boom lifts for hire, visit AFI Rentals - A one-stop-shop for powered access equipment with 20 locations in the UK and 6 in the Middle East. The company also has an app that offers customers the convenience of ordering a MEWP at their fingertips 24/7/365. To check out their broad range of powered access platforms, visit them at https://www.afi-rentals.co.uk/.