The top atrium manlift hazards are collapses, tip-overs, electrocutions, falls from elevations, being struck by falling objects, entanglement, and contact with other objects like ceilings. These hazards can put workers at risk of fatalities, accidents, injuries, and fatalities. Yet, with OSHA-approved atrium manlift certification training, workers can limit the risk that any of these hazards can cause such issues to occur.
Moreover, if your business employs construction workers who operate atrium manlifts, they are consistently around them. In that case, they need to complete an OSHA-approved manlift certification course. They will learn about the manlift hazards that cause deaths and injuries every year.
Enroll your workers in manlift safety training to be properly prepared which recognize and avoid common hazards associated with atrium lifts.
What are the Common Atrium Manlift Hazards?
Manlift hazards can be problematic at worksites of all sizes. Regardless of a worker’s job title, it helps to be aware of the following hazards that affect operators of boom lifts and other types of atrium manlifts. Some of the common types of safety hazards in construction include:
- Electrocutions
Many manlift operators are involved in overhead line work, and the risk of being electrocuted by live cables and power lines is a great one for these workers. To protect yourself and prevent getting injured or killed on the job, follow OSHA’s tips.
- Tip-Overs or Collapses
Tip-overs are one of the deadly types of manlift hazards. They are frequently caused by handling and improper traveling of the lift. Sometimes they are caused by inadequate mechanical inspections and pre-start vehicles.
While collapses may occur due to mechanical failures prevented by workers completing thorough pre-operation inspections of the vehicle, an inspection can go a long way to ensure that controls are working as intended.
If you’re hoping to prevent tip-overs and collapses, ensure not to exceed load capacity limits. Avoid traveling to a job site with your lift raised and new drive drop-offs. It’s also important not to raise the platform on unstable and uneven surfaces. Furthermore, windy weather and sloped ground can present serious safety hazards in construction.
- Falls from Heights
The sheer size of atrium manlifts often goes unnoticed until employees begin working. When they are improperly trained, falls can occur. To prevent falls from lifts, workers need to assess their surroundings to ensure no objects or workers are nearby. With that being said, OSHA requires that all manlift workers wear fall protection equipment with full-body lanyards and harnesses attached to the basket.
- Objects Falling from Lifts
Workers on the ground are at risk of aerial lift hazards, too. They’re sometimes killed and injured by objects falling from the manlift bucket. It often occurs when lifts carry objects larger than the platform itself.
If possible, atrium manlift operators should avoid positioning the lift underneath overhead objects, and workers on the ground should be aware of their surroundings. They need to avoid working underneath or near the lift when raised.
- Ejections from Lift Platform
Ejections are one of the most dangerous types of manlift hazards. They often happen when a lift comes into contact with another object, like a sign or moving vehicle next to a highway or inadequate stability assurance. Before operating an atrium lift, workers need to ensure that set on pads is on a level surface of solid ground.
- Entanglement
Ropes can be tangled up when lowering or raising an atrium manlift platform. If entanglement occurs, an operator can get caught up in these ropes. It can put the operator at risk of a serious fatality or injury.
Additionally, workers can avoid these common safety hazards in construction by staying mindful of all cords, wires, and ropes.
For any pieces of safety equipment to be useful in preventing these atrium manlift accidents, workers need to complete comprehensive lift training to prepare them fully. They will need to avoid these manlift hazards to protect everyone’s life on a work site.
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