According to preliminary results of an accident reporting project of the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), there were 31 fatalities worldwide involving elevated work platforms in 2012.
Founded in 1983, the non-profit organization representing the interests of manufacturers, distributors, users, rental and training companies found that last year [http://www.ipaf.org/en/resources/accident-database/] the main causes of these fatalities were: fall from platform (9), electrocution (8), overturn (6), entrapment (4) and mechanical/technical related (4).
“The first year of the accident reporting project is producing significant results and is allowing us to both improve our training programs and focus our safety campaigns to make this safe industry even safer,” said IPAF CEO Tim Whiteman. “There are over 1.5 million [powered platforms/lifts] in use around the world, and while every death is a tragedy, powered access is still a very safe way to work at height.”
The data presented is based on accidents reported directly to IPAF and through information collated from various news media. The accuracy of the data cannot be guaranteed, but where appropriate, action is taken to verify the facts and the data is amended should relevant information become available.
Data gathered enables IPAF to analyse and look for common trends, and propose possible actions to further improve and promote the safe use of access platforms worldwide. Data collected is kept confidential and used solely for the purposes of analysis and making recommendations to improve safety.
In the USA, the OSHA regulations regarding articulated boom lifts, classified as powered industrial trucks (OSHA Standard 1910.178(l)(4) spell out the safety the operators must observe when operating a articulating book lift. It is important to be familiar with these regulations for two reasons: failure to follow OSHA regulations can result in fines for your company, and the regulations are designed to help provide guidelines to keep the articulated boom lift operators safe.
Speak to your favorite aerial lift owner or dealer (like GET, LLC) for more details-don't forget to look on the document storage area of your aerial lift and the respective owner's manual for information on lift safety.