Page 27 - Occupational Health & Safety, April 2017

Begin by asking about the machine’s vertical and horizontal reach. It’s also good to know if the lift offers up-and-over capabilities and what the platform’s dimensions and weight capacity are.
pact enough to use indoors or outside without having to engage a much larger piece of equipment. For indoor use, electric-powered models ensure a quieter work area, less dependency on hydraulic oils, and zero emissions. For work outdoors, rough terrain models offer engines that run on diesel fuel and others that run on gas or liquid propane. A healthy combination of indoor and outdoor value can be found in large electric scissors because they can be fully elec- tric or equipped with a diesel generator that can charge the batteries on sites without power.
Asking About Machine Capabilities
With so many options, the choice of which machine to use for a
particular task can be a difficult one for a building owner or facility
manager to make. Again, seeking answers to some basic questions
about a machine’s capabilities can help determine which machine
is best equipped to handle a particular task. Begin by asking about
the machine’s vertical and horizontal reach. It’s also good to know
if the lift offers up-and-over capabilities and what the platform’s di-
mensions and weight capacity are. Then, consider answers to the
following questions:
■ Is the machine self-propelled to maneuver around the job site?
■ Are electric or hybrid models available for indoor use?
■ Can the machine function in enclosed spaces? Can it fit
through doorways and other narrow openings? Will it fit in an el- evator?
■ Is the machine able to climb stairs?
■ What accessories are available to equip the machine for the task? A machine exists for any job that needs to be completed. The
challenge is to find the one that safely puts operators in any space, including hard-to-reach areas indoors and outside, and best equips them to efficiently complete a task. In the case of Mark Hudson, the machine might be a personal portable lift. “It enables us to do jobs at height without having to use a ladder, taking away the safety issues associated with a ladder and eliminating produc- tivity and profitability losses that too frequently accompany an accident,” he said.
In other cases, mast-style boom lifts, articulating boom lifts, compact crawler booms, or scissor lifts might provide more sup- port for safety, productivity, ergonomic, and sustainability goals. Knowing what options are available and asking the right questions will go a long way toward selecting the machine that best meets these goals while completing a project.
Paul Kreutzwiser is global category director—aerial work platforms for JLG Industries, Inc.
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