The statistics of injuries at work make evident the risk that working at height entails. Falls from height has been diagnosed as the biggest cause of death and serious injuries at work premises. However, the risk can be greatly reduced with proper training and precautions. A crucial element for working at height is to select the right equipment. In most scenarios, a cherry picker comes out as the safest option. However, some basic safety measures are a must while operating it.
Cherry Picker Training
All safety steps and precautions hold no meaning if the machine’s operator is completely unfamiliar with it. Working at heights using a ladder or a static tower is an entirely different ballgame than working on an elevated movable platform. Thus, all staff handling and operating the machine must have undergone intensive cherry picker training before working with the unit. Any person who is even remotely working with the equipment should be well trained. Moreover, they should all go refresher training at regular intervals so that all safety tips remain drilled in their minds. Additionally, they stay updated with all the latest health and safety requirements to work in high places.
Check high and low
It is paramount to check the ground conditions before starting work with the cherry picker. The work should be best done on level ground. Uneven grounds pose the risk of the machine tipping over due to extra weight or sudden movements. Again there could be electric cables and other wires running at heights which can pose a serious threat to the workers. Crush injuries are fairly common among workers who had risen too high while working on the machine. While you are lopping at high branches, it is a mandatory safety tip that you do not lean over too far as this may cause a misbalance and a consequent fall.
Do not try to be a hero
Once you have become used to working on a platform, you tend to develop a false sense of security which makes you bold enough to lean over too far. In this gallantry, you forget that cherry picker is preferred over tower because of its ability to move from place to place which makes leaning over a wasteful and useless effort. It may feel like that you are saving the time, but it can prove lethal and a more expensive crisis to take care of. Thus, it is vital to remain with all limits set by the machine from all angles and aspects.
Cherry Picker Training
All safety steps and precautions hold no meaning if the machine’s operator is completely unfamiliar with it. Working at heights using a ladder or a static tower is an entirely different ballgame than working on an elevated movable platform. Thus, all staff handling and operating the machine must have undergone intensive cherry picker training before working with the unit. Any person who is even remotely working with the equipment should be well trained. Moreover, they should all go refresher training at regular intervals so that all safety tips remain drilled in their minds. Additionally, they stay updated with all the latest health and safety requirements to work in high places.
Check high and low
It is paramount to check the ground conditions before starting work with the cherry picker. The work should be best done on level ground. Uneven grounds pose the risk of the machine tipping over due to extra weight or sudden movements. Again there could be electric cables and other wires running at heights which can pose a serious threat to the workers. Crush injuries are fairly common among workers who had risen too high while working on the machine. While you are lopping at high branches, it is a mandatory safety tip that you do not lean over too far as this may cause a misbalance and a consequent fall.
Do not try to be a hero
Once you have become used to working on a platform, you tend to develop a false sense of security which makes you bold enough to lean over too far. In this gallantry, you forget that cherry picker is preferred over tower because of its ability to move from place to place which makes leaning over a wasteful and useless effort. It may feel like that you are saving the time, but it can prove lethal and a more expensive crisis to take care of. Thus, it is vital to remain with all limits set by the machine from all angles and aspects.
No comments:
Post a Comment