Aerial
lifts are a necessary part of a contractor's proverbial "tool
kit". An aerial lift can make or
break a project. What can impact it
further, is ensuring that contractors and their workers are safe when using
lifts in and around job sites.
I
heard a recent story of a contracting team which was asked by a
installation supervisor if anyone had any experience working a lift. The group of 10 workers all exclaimed to the
super that they knew how to operate the piece of machinery. One steps forward and jumps into the
bucket. No PPE. No fall protection. Fires up the machine with no regard to his co-workers nearby. Without hesitation, the installation
supervisor took action and rightly turned off the machine and counseled the laborer and
immediately advised the respective workers boss of the lack of knowledge of basic
aerial lift safety.
This
is a story heard on job sites all over the world. It is very important that as a community, the
construction trades should take just an extra moment to review their operations
plans, workers certifications and at the minimum-check their people's basic
knowledge of the lift by simply asking if they looked at the manual that came
delivered with the lift. Such basic
inquires and requirements on the job protects that employee and the health and
welfare of the others around them.
Back
to fall protection.
There are literally
dozens of great solutions to ensure safety on an aerial lift and ways to keep
workers or lineman out of harms way.
Did
you know that the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued more than 8,500 citations in the last three years
associated with improper use, or lack of use of fall protection equipment?
To
bring that number down, there is a product on the streets that would do much to
improve operator safety and OSHA compliance and is a great innovation in fall
protection.
The
Hi-Line Utility Supply’s Vert-Alert is the world's only aerial lift lanyard
safety attachment warning system. It
does a couple of thing good. First, if
the safety harness is not attached to the provided anchorage, a high decibel
verbal message states, "Warning, attach safety harness lanyard!"
whenever the "UP" control is activated. When the "DOWN" control is
activated, a high decibel verbal message alerts, "Warning, lift
descending!" The system is also a
"smart device". It analyzes safety performance which the system
records when the alarm activates, as well as the date and time of connect and
disconnects of the lanyard, and the number of up and down motions. The Vert-Alert is easily installed on new and
existing equipment.
It is a pretty cool device that when coupled with
the safety features of that your respective lift can protect the operator when
doing work on your job site.
GET,LLC is very conscious of lift safety and encourages you to do the same. Our Genie TZ-50 is available for rent and
ready to hit your job site. This "sustainable" unit is battery
powered and is ideal for your interior and exterior aerial lift needs. And yes-we can provide fall protection gear too.Give us a call at 671-797-0789 or check out
our website at www.get-guam.com for more detailed information on the lift (the
spec sheet is in our gallery!!!) and the services we provide.