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ACCESS IN ACTION • NOVEMBER 2014

ACCESS in ACTION

In response to industry demand Terex

AWP is providing the following safety tips

for operating aerial lift equipment.

“Fatalities caused by falls from elevation

continue to be a leading cause of death

for construction workers. Those deaths

could have been preventable,” Mitch Ely,

National Operations Manager, for Genie in

Australia said.

The following operating

tips are critical steps

a Mobile Elevating

Work Platform (MEWP)

operator can take to

reduce the likelihood of

a potentially deadly fall

from height.

1. Make sure you have

received proper

training (both general

training and hands-

on practical training)

as well as familiarisation on the MEWP

you will be using. Thoroughly read the

operator’s manual and safety signs

on the machine and understand the

function and location of all safety

devices and controls before operation.

2. Always read, understand and obey

employer’s safety rules and worksite

regulations, as well as all applicable

local, governmental or site regulations

that apply to MEWP operation before

operating.

3. Always perform a pre-operation

inspection and function tests on the

MEWP before each shift. A level sensor,

alarm or any other safety device cannot

do its job if it has been disabled or

has malfunctioned. If the machine

fails any of these tests, make sure it is

immediately tagged and removed from

service until it can be repaired by a

qualified service technician.

4. Always perform a workplace risk

assessment prior to moving the MEWP

to the jobsite. Look for drop-offs and

holes, slopes, slippery or unstable

surfaces, overhead obstacles, power

lines and any other hazards. Then

consciously think about and

avoid those hazards through

all phases of machine

operation. A full list of

hazards can be found in the

operator’s manual.

5. Always wear the proper

fall protection when

operating a telescopic

or articulating boom. A

properly fitted full body

harness and appropriate

lanyard is an absolute

requirement. Most operators

do not understand the potential for

being catapulted from the platform of

a boom. The slightest jar at the base of

the machine can equate into a sudden

and powerful whiplash at the platform

that may have the potential to toss

the operator into the air. If this were

to happen, wearing the proper fall

protection may reduce the chances of

serious injury or even death.

6. Never sit, stand or climb on the

platform guardrails for any reason.

The guardrails on a MEWP provide

fall protection only if the operator

maintains a firm footing on the platform

floor. If an operator is required to reach

an overhead work area that is too small

for the platform guardrails to allow

access to, the use of a manufacturer-

approved device specifically designed

to provide additional access to confined

spaces is recommended.

7. Never exit an elevated boom or scissor

lift platform while elevated unless you

have been properly trained to do so,

maintain 100% tie-off at all times and

follow guidance in accordance with

AS2550.10 for the correct positioning of

the machine.

8. Never climb down from the platform

when it is raised. Whenever possible,

keep a cell phone or two-way radio

with you while you are in the platform.

Rescue plans should at a minimum

include steps to ensure other personnel

are aware you are operating the

MEWP and they have been trained and

familiarised to operate the machine

from the ground controls.

9. Always keep the platform floor clear of

debris. Scrap materials, buckets, large

tool boxes and other items can cause

a serious tripping hazard. You should

remove any item from the platform

that is not absolutely necessary.

Utilise special manufacturer-approved

attachments such as fluorescent

tube caddies or panel cradles (where

applicable) to lift large or bulky items.

10. Always lower the platform entry

mid-rail or close the entry gate before

operating the MEWP. The entry mid-

rail or gate is an integral part of the

platform guardrail. Never tape or prop

the entry open and never use a MEWP

if the gate does not properly latch.

Editor’s Note: The EWPA provides

guidelines for safe operating procedures

and safety and risk management

awareness on its web page and advises

all end-users to review these guidelines

regularly.

Visit:

www.ewpa.com.au

TECH

Talk

10 safety tips for operating aerial lifts

IPAF has published some important

safety facts relating to electrocution at

heights which were the major cause

of EWP operator fatalities in the US in

2012. In 2013 all seven reported cases of

electrocution at heights globally occurred

in the USA which is home to 54% of

the world’s rental fleet. These fatalities

involved mainly boom type EWPs both

self-propelled and truck mounted.

IPAF Electrocution at heights prevention

Electrocutions happen due to:

• Operator or the boom inadvertently

coming too close or touching overhead

power lines.

• Lack of awareness of the proximity of

overhead power lines.

• Complacency or lack of awareness of the

voltage running through the lines.

• Moving the boom in the wrong direction

when close to overhead power lines.

• Operating the boom erratically and not

stopping when and where expected.

IPAF reminds us electrocutions are

preventable through proper planning and

risk assessment of working at heights

including thorough operator training and

familiarisation with the EWP.

Visit: ipaf.org.au

Most operators

do not

understand

the potential

for being

catapulted from

the platform of

a boom...