Top 5 Safety Questions
For nearly 20 years, Altec Sentry has helped employers train and certify operators on the safe and proper operation of equipment. Beyond training, the Sentry team is available to answer your questions regarding the safe use of equipment. Below are the top five most frequently asked questions.
1. What kind of training do I need to be an aerial device operator?
ANSI A92.2 requires two types of training for anyone who will operate a mobile elevating work platform: General Training and Familiarization. Qualified operators who have received General Training must also receive Familiarization before they operate an unfamiliar unit.
If you’d like to learn more about the training you need to be an aerial device operator, contact an Altec Sentry representative at (205) 408-8260 or email sentrypost@altec.com.
All aerial-equipped units from Altec Industries come with an A92.2 Manual of Responsibilities. To purchase a copy of the full ANSI A92.2 Standard or the A92.2 Manual of Responsibilities, visit http://shop.saiaonline.org/.
2. How often do I need training?
Altec Sentry considers operator training to be a 5 year qualification. Operators need to stay aware of changes in safety regulations and equipment, and periodic retraining provides an excellent way to keep them up to date.
3. What kind of maintenance or inspections should I carry out prior to operating my unit?
You must inspect your aerial device and test its operation before each shift. If a problem is found, correct it before placing the unit in service. A good habit of pre-shift inspections will often identify small problems early, before they become costly or unsafe. Along with the operator’s pre-shift inspections, equipment owners must also follow the manufacturer’s guidance for preventative maintenance and inspection. These are both vital for safe equipment operation.
4. How do I know how much I can lift?
Units with a material handling option have load capacity charts operators must reference before lifting. These load charts are installed on the unit and provide lifting capacities based on unit stability and structural capacity. Prior to lifting a load, you must determine the weight of the load and rigging to ensure it does not exceed the load capacity chart value at any point during the lift. Boom angles and distance from the load will change during the lift. You need to plan for those changes to be certain your load never exceeds available unit lift capacity.
5. What steps do I need to take to properly set up my equipment?
Every worksite is different and requires careful inspection to identify potential hazards before setting up your equipment. In addition to a worksite survey, these precautions need your attention before and during each use of your aerial device:
- Complete the required preoperational inspection
- Check for overhead obstructions and electrical conductors
- Maintain adequate clearance from obstructions and electrical apparatus
- Comply with all manufacturer load capacity requirements
- Use outrigger pads on soft or unpaved surfaces
- Properly set the outriggers and level the unit, as required by the operator’s manual
- Wear appropriate fall protection and attach it to the designated anchor point
- Keep platform gates and doors closed and latched while aloft
- Stop operating if a malfunction is suspected or an unsafe condition occurs
Finally, if the platform or elevating assembly becomes snagged or prevented from normal motion, and control reversal does not free the platform, all platform occupants should be removed before attempting to free the platform or elevating assembly.