8 safety steps when operating a lifting platform
Lifting platform is an important and safe piece of equipment for carrying out work at heights, whether outdoors or indoors. It was developed to increase employee protection and enhance their productivity. However, there are specific steps that need to be followed to ensure safe scissor lift operation.
In order for your company to enjoy the benefits of this item and for it to fulfill its function. We have brought this content that provides 9 essential steps for you to ensure the protection of your staff during use. Keep reading! https://quicklisted.com
Avoid contact with other equipment:
Other equipment is also used during work carried out at height, such as cranes, ladders, scaffolding and cargo handling accessories. It is essential that this equipment does not have physical contact with the lifting platform. Any knocks or bumps can cause the professional to become unbalanced, compromising safety and the quality of their work.
Analyze the risks before the operation:
Before using the lifting platform, check all possible risks in the location where the activities will be carried out. This assessment is called Risk Analysis (RA). It takes into account all the typical dangers of activities carried out in the workplace. The factors to be considered can be internal and external.
See some examples:
Puddles of water: make the ground slippery, causing workers or equipment to slip;
holes: the person responsible for driving the platform must take great care not to go over holes;
Fragile floor: be sure that the floor will support the weight of the equipment in any situation;
Slopes: the device may tip over, which increases the risk of accidents;
Sand: it can also make the floor slippery and, consequently, cause accidents;
weather conditions: check the weather to avoid the possibility of the operation being carried out during rain, wind and other adverse weather conditions;
energized electrical lines: ensure that there are no electrical wires that could come into contact with equipment or employees;
Traffic and circulation: see if there is a lot of movement of people, cars and motorcycles. It is important to maintain signage and isolation in the workplace.
If any other risk is identified, take the appropriate measures to eliminate them or minimize their effects. Ignoring them can cause a lot of damage to the company, the employee and third parties.
Check if the machine is working properly:
Just like any other equipment, it is necessary to check that the lifting platform is in perfect working order before any operation. Keep in mind that this must be done even if the rented device is of high quality.
Neglecting this step can cause problems to appear during the operation, generating the need to interrupt the activity to correct it. It leaves employees idle while waiting to resolve the issue and harms the productivity of the entire business in addition to putting the lives of employees at risk. operators at risk.
Aspects of the lifting platform must be analyzed, such as the physical conditions of the tires. The structure, the hydraulic part, the vertical and horizontal movement. In the case of telescopic or articulated boom-type platforms.
Invest in safety signage:
Using safety signs is a mandatory measure for all companies that use lifting platforms. Their function is to make everyone present in the environment aware of the use of the equipment. Use signposts, delimit areas for staff movement and ensure that people nearby stay away.
Check the weather conditions:
Before carrying out activities outdoors, it is essential to study the current weather conditions. Rain, lightning, strong wind and dust increase the chances of workers slipping and falling, among other accidents. Therefore, plan your activities so that they do not fall on rainy or intensely windy days.
Use PPE:
Any falling objects or even knocks can cause a lot of damage to operators. To minimize the damage from these accidents. It is necessary to make sure that all employees are using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Some examples of PPE used in this type of work are:
- Helmet with jugular;
- Protective goggles;
- Boots;
- Double lanyard seat belt;
- Safety gloves;
- Lock falls.
Worry about falling objects (materials and/or tools):
Falling materials and tools can hit people below the lifting platform. Avoiding these problems is the company’s responsibility. So use appropriate signage, ensure that the worker is only carrying the necessary items and is instructed to avoid falls.
Train employees:
As employees carry out activities in the practical field, they must be very well trained to use the lifting platform, PPE, as well as assess the condition of the equipment and apply the other steps explained.
In practice, staff must undergo specialized training with national certification that focuses on development and improvement in safety, working at heights, among other topics. It is important that he follows standards. for Lifting Supervisor course click here
If you want to maximize safety when operating a lifting platform, invest in equipment from a company that has extensive experience and credibility in the market so that it is of good quality. Specialized training also contributes to minimizing risks. It is essential to opt for training with national coverage, with certification and winners of awards. In addition to having dedicated and specialized professionals.
