Truck Mounted boom lifts are one of the highest elevated working platforms in the industry, but just how safe are they?
In this article, we’ll discuss whether truck mounted boom lifts are safe, boom lift safety procedures, and where to go if you want to be certain the boom lift you’re hiring is safe.
What’s a Boom Lift?
We’ve discussed before what a boom lift is, but for the sake of this article, let’s briefly touch upon it again.
A truck mounted boom lift is the highest reaching elevated working platform available to the Australian market.
It’s ideal for working at extreme heights that other machinery cannot reach and commonly used for everything from painting tall buildings, to installing lighting in stadiums.
Are Boom Lifts Safe?
Because they are the type of machinery you use when working at extreme heights, their operation does come with a certain amount of risk – presumably much more than other elevated working platforms which only reach your average heights.
That said, with the right safety equipment and a fully qualified operator (such as those we have on staff at Performance Tower Hire), it is perfectly safe to use a boom lift.
What Do You Need to Be Aware of When Operating a Boom Lift?
There are several things you need to be aware of when operating a boom lift. In this section, we’ll discuss them briefly.
Safety & Qualifications
Safety is paramount when operating any elevated working platform, but it’s especially important when using a boom lift. To operate a boom lift safely, you must be fully trained and licensed according to state and federal protocols.
You must also wear a full body harness, hard hat, goggles and other safety equipment as dictated by Government regulations.
A huge consideration you should also make when operating a boom lift ties directly into safety and the safe operation of the machinery around power lines. Electricity is volatile and you must maintain a safe distance from power lines at all times when working with the assistance of this lift.
If you fail to do this, you risk putting yourself and others in harm’s way, which is not considered safe practice when operating a boom lift.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
When operating a boom lift safely you should always be aware of your surroundings. This includes making sure the moving components of the boom lift are not likely to hurt anyone when it’s in operation.
If necessary, clear the area completely and remove any potential hazards, even if the risk of there being an issue is only minor.
Load Capacity & Limitations
Being a safe boom lift operator means adhering to all and any load capacity or load limitations you may have. It is especially important to check this if you are unfamiliar with the boom lift, or you haven’t worked with it in a while.
Don’t Use it Outside its Intended Purpose
This point ties into the previous one, but is worth singling out. Any elevated working platform – including a boom lift – is only intended to assist workers complete the tasks they need to perform at heights.
As such, they are not always designed to be used to carry equipment and supplies – this is the job of a crane.
How to Be Certain of Safety During Boom Lift Operation
As much as you try to avoid it, accidents can happen. In our opinion, there’s only one way you can be certain of safety while operating a boom lift: leave it to the experts at Performance Tower Hire.
All our hire equipment – from boom lifts to cherry pickers and everything in between – is thoroughly inspected and certified as safe before use. And we have a team of qualified, experienced operators you can trust to get your work done without worrying about safety.
To find out more about our boom lift hire options and the safety procedures we have in place, contact Performance Tower Hire today.
