As an owner of an aerial work
platform, we spend much time to understand the challenges of working at height
and how to help our customers with their unique requirements on the job
site. While much of our discussions
center on getting the right lift for the job, I stumbled across an interested
read that led me to a resource and particularly a section about working at
height outdoors in windy conditions.
The University of Kentucky Aerial
Lift Safety Program is a document that is provided to all of their employees
and contractors who work at height. As
part of the program, each operator is required to complete a Work Area
Checklist for Aerial Lifts before and during use. Among the items that crews are asked to look
out for on the job is wind and weather conditions. The University directs lift operators that at
20 miles per hour wind speeds or anticipated gusts, lifts will be lowered to a
maximum height of 20 feet. With wind speeds or anticipated gusts of 25 miles per
hour or more, all lifts are grounded for that day.
Such wind hazard reporting is
important for the safety of those working at height and for the integrity of
projects that could be compromised by less that ideal work in higher wind
conditions. A number of universities across America have similar wind policies
relative to working at height including the University of New York, Temple
University and the University of Montana just to name a few. State Governments and private sector
companies in the U.S. also have such wind safeguards in place as well.
All organizations must address
the hazards of operating aerial work platforms in windy conditions as the
hazards can include the lift falling over,
a worker slipping off the platform if the lift is used during bad
weather or high winds, positioned on soft or uneven ground, overloaded with
heavy objects and driven over uneven, unstable ground, or surface in poor
condition, with the lift in an elevated position.
While all lift owners and
operators stress following their manufacturer’s instruction regarding operation
in windy conditions, If at any time, personnel feels unsafe, due to weather or
wind conditions prior to using an aerial lift, they may make a decision to
ground the lift and cease.
No questions asked
The lift industry has recognized
for years that we all have a responsibility to do our part in supplying safe,
efficient equipment to users, and to ensure that those users know how to
operate the equipment in a proper manner so that the job is completed safely...
and then go home.
If you have any aerial lift needs and would
like to discuss potential solutions, please drop GET, LLC a line via our
website at www.get-guam.com or give us a call at 671-483-0789-your authorized
Terex/Genie Representative for Guam and Micronesia.