When working at great heights, a (lifting) work platform is considered a safer option compared to a ladder because it has a much larger footprint and better safety options. At the same time, it usually offers more flexibility than scaffolding. However, the use of work platforms is not entirely without risk, so safety precautions are essential.
We show you the dangers involved in handling work platforms, how these can be kept to a minimum and which regulations, codes of practice and operating instructions must be observed.
FLEXIBLE (LIFTING) WORK PLATFORMS FOR VARIOUS APPLICATIONS
Aerial work platforms (also known as cherry pickers) are devices with height-adjustable work surfaces (access platform) that also have a drive. Such aerial work platforms are used in various designs, a basic distinction is made between
- Vertical platforms with the load center of gravity in the middle above the device, and
- Cantilever or swivel arm platforms with a variable center of gravity in front of the device.
The term working platform refers to models without their own drive for height compensation. There are also other features that can be used to differentiate between work platforms, for example in terms of mobility:
- Anchored work platforms are permanently mounted on a different structure, with options ranging from trucks and rail vehicles to so-called crawler chassis.
- Mobile working platforms can also be moved freely without an additional substructure and are equipped with various types of drive.
Aerial work platforms: Flexible and versatile
Furthermore, scissor lifts can be distinguished from boom lifts and articulated telescopic boom lifts from mast-guided climbing platforms. Overall, this results in a wide range of different variants that are suitable for a variety of applications.
After all, the work platforms are suitable for a variety of environments, from rough terrain to large industrial halls. They can reach heights of up to 100 m and more and lift several tons. The tasks therefore include work on street lighting, trees, roofs, PV systems, overhead lines as well as installation work on ceilings or building construction and civil engineering.
Use only with guaranteed safety
Both their technical equipment and their operation make aerial work platforms indispensable and practical solutions in many areas. This is all the more true because they are considered safe thanks to the more comfortable working surfaces and the absence of rungs and similar sources of danger.
However, the prerequisite for this is correct, professional handling. This applies to the operation of work platforms and access platforms as well as working on and with them. We show you what to look out for.
DANGERS WHEN HANDLING (AERIAL) WORK PLATFORMS
Although they are more stable than scaffolding and ladders, care must always be taken when using work platforms. Accidents often lead to serious injuries when working at great heights. But safe, cautious behavior is not only required on work platforms at lofty heights.
Avoid the whip effect when using work platforms
A typical source of danger with work platforms whose center of gravity is far away from the machine’s center of gravity is the so-called whip effect. This refers to the situation where a user is thrown out of the basket or access platform.
The main causes of such accidents, in addition to the heavily shifted center of gravity, are unevenness or obstacles in the path of the climber. A collision with an obstacle or driving over potholes causes the basket to sway so much that the person inside can be thrown out of it.
One way to avoid the whip effect is to carefully clear the driveway in advance of the work. It also helps to remove unevenness such as potholes where possible. If necessary, the person in the basket receives support from another employee on the ground when steering the work platform. This person can better assess the situation and the condition of the roadway and pass on appropriate instructions upwards.
| AVOIDABLE RISKS WHEN HANDLING (AERIAL) WORK PLATFORMS
Many risks during use can be prevented simply by using the equipment properly. For example, a work platform is not a substitute for a crane, even if some of the lifting devices can carry several tons of weight. It is therefore not permitted to hang loads on the workman basket or other components. Weather conditions should also be taken into account when assessing the ground conditions. Rain or frost represent a considerable deterioration for outdoor use. If necessary, a cherry picker should not be used if a secure footing cannot be guaranteed. Suitable base plates can provide a remedy, for example to prevent the support legs of the work platform from sinking in. Furthermore, a work platform is not intended to reach adjacent elevated parts of a building. It is therefore not permitted to climb out of the cage, as this poses too high a risk of falling. |
Falling out of the work platform
In addition to ejection, falling out of the basket is one of the main hazards described in DGUV Information 208-019 “Safe handling of mobile elevating work platforms”. Fall hazards arise in different ways. The whip effect described above is one of the possible dangers.
Another is the overturning of the working platform. This can happen for various reasons:
- The person in the basket supports themselves improperly and causes the cherry picker to topple over by shifting the center of gravity.
- Insufficient attention is paid to the soil conditions and subsoil.
- The working platform is overloaded, for example by too many people in the basket or generally by too much weight.
- The work platform collides with another vehicle.
Falls can also occur if people on the work platform get caught on or under obstacles. This can happen with structures and parts of buildings as well as trees. In addition, there is always a risk of falling if the basket is left in a raised position, for example to reach parts of structures or buildings.
Crushing hazards when working with work platforms
A not insignificant risk is posed by crushing injuries, which can occur in various situations. These include cases in which, for example, the height of the work platform and the surrounding area are not correctly assessed and observed. Other scenarios with an increased risk of crushing are as follows:
Rotation of the working platform: If the working platform is rotated by more than 90° in relation to its undercarriage, the commands for the directions of travel on the joystick work in reverse. The device then moves backwards when the command for “drive forwards” is given. If the operator ignores this reversal, unintentional travel movements may occur, resulting in the person being crushed between the control panel or railing of the access platform and parts of the surrounding area.
Surrounding elements behind the operator: Surrounding elements behind the operator also pose a significant risk of crushing injuries. This is because such elements are easily overlooked when turning, telescoping, raising or lowering the work platform.
Under these circumstances, it can easily happen that the person’s back hits parts of the surroundings and is crushed between them and the control panel. In such cases, unprotected operating elements pose a particular danger because they prevent the crushed person from being able to free themselves from this position.
| PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AGAINST CRUSHING
DGUV Information 208-019 “Safe handling of mobile elevating work platforms” refers to special protective equipment that some manufacturers offer against crushing hazards. This includes
Interventions in the control system or the fitting of protective equipment to prevent crushing are the sole responsibility of the manufacturer. However, instructions and briefings for operators can make an important contribution to minimizing the risk. |
SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR THE USE OF (AERIAL) WORK PLATFORMS
To ensure the greatest possible safety, there are various rules and regulations. These provide a comprehensive framework within which working platforms and cherry pickers can be used safely. The necessary safety precautions relate not only to the equipment itself and its handling, but also to the suitability of the operator.
Carry out risk assessment and checks
When handling (mobile) work platforms, the basic principle is that potential hazards should be identified at an early stage and prevented by taking suitable protective measures. As part of a risk assessment, the potential hazards of workplaces, workstations, machines and systems are therefore comprehensively checked. This includes
- physical, chemical and biological effects,
- the design, use and handling of work equipment,
- the design of work and production processes and workflows,
- the qualification of employees,
- Briefing, instruction, coordination and assignment of operators.
The specific features of different locations must also be taken into account, as wind load can be an additional challenge when working outdoors, for example. The requirements of the German Occupational Health and Safety Act (ArbSchG), the German Ordinance on Industrial Safety and Health ( BetrSichV ) and DGUV Regulation 1 are decisive for carrying out and documenting the risk assessment.
| RISK ASSESSMENT AND PROTECTION GOALS
The most important task of a risk assessment is to define protection targets and corresponding measures. The effectiveness of and compliance with the protective measures must be checked as part of regular inspections:
The overall risk assessment must be documented in accordance with ArbSchG, BetrSichV and DGUV Regulation 1. |
What requirements must the operator of a work platform fulfill?
Anyone wishing to operate a mobile working platform must meet the necessary requirements. In order to avoid risks for the operator himself and for colleagues in the vicinity, one of the requirements is that the person concerned must
- must have reached the age of 18;
- must be instructed in the operation as well as the hazards and protective measures when working with the corresponding work platform;
- must provide proof of the ability to operate the work platform;
- must have a written authorization to operate the special (elevating) work platform and
- must be in possession of the necessary driving license to participate in road traffic.
In order to receive written authorization, the operator must also
- be physically and mentally fit,
- have good spatial vision,
- hear well (due to acoustic warning signals) and
- be able to react quickly and reliably.
| TASKS OF OPERATORS OF (AERIAL) WORK PLATFORMS
In addition to precise knowledge of the operating instructions, driving experience and observing safety distances during transportation, daily checks are among the most important tasks of operators who work with aerial work platforms. The individual components of the appliance must be subjected to a visual and functional inspection. This applies to
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What protective equipment is required for work platforms?
Because not all hazards can be eliminated with the help of technical protective measures, personal protective equipment (PPE) is one of the additional measures that should be taken when working with cherry pickers. The risk assessment is crucial because the choice of PPE largely depends on the type of application, the activity and the associated risks.
Standard protective equipment includes, for example
- Protective helmet/bump cap,
- Foot protection,
- Hearing protection,
- Hand protection or skin protection,
- Weatherproof clothing,
- Face protection and special protective clothing for various activities (e.g. pruning work),
- PPE against falls from a height.
PPE against falls from a height may be mandatory if the risk assessment identifies a possible whiplash effect, if it is prescribed in the manufacturer’s operating instructions or if the client specifies its use. If the operator is required to wear PPE against falls from a height, they must be instructed in its proper use by the responsible contractor or manager. This also includes exercises with the PPE.
When using personal fall protection equipment, the anchorage points provided for this purpose on the work platform must be used. The lanyards between the harness and the anchor point must always be kept as short as possible. This is the only way to effectively prevent ejection.
According to DGUV Information 208-019, the lanyard length should not exceed 1.8 m. A shock absorber for the lanyard also reduces the sudden impact of force on the anchor point to a minimum.
Image 1: Adobe Stock © Lukassek
Image 2: Adobe Stock © Jarama
Image 3: Adobe Stock © luzulee
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