Insider Facts and Ideas on Heavy Construction Equipment

Choosing the right mobile elevated platform for your construction, repair and maintenance work is critical. The equipment will ensure that you can perform your tasks at an unreachable area with ease. Also, a suitable access structure will promote workplace safety and minimise the risk of accidental falls. However, your choice of an appropriate platform does not guarantee complete personal safety. In simple terms, your practices on the worksite will determine the potential exposure of your worker's to injuries. Here are some practical guidelines to help you minimise your risks when using elevated mobile platforms.

Inspect the Equipment

You should never use elevated access platforms without checking the condition of the equipment. Often, accidents occur because the workers do not ensure that the structure is safe for use. The problem in the access system could be small such as a loose connection or bolt. If the issue is not discovered early, you and your workers will continue exerting pressure on the platform. Eventually, the structure will weaken, and an accident might follow. Therefore, you should not make assumptions about the state of your high equipment. The inspection precaution might seem useless, but it will protect people on your worksite.

Examine Your Worksite

You should check your worksite before setting your elevated mobile access platform. Some unfortunate incidents occur during the use of this type of equipment because the ground is not stable enough to support the massive structure. Ideally, you should only set-up your mobile platform in an area without bumps and potholes. These obstacles can destabilise the unit. Also, you should make sure that the ground is dry. Wet surface conditions could cause slippage when moving the equipment. You should also place some warning signs to ensure that the people in the property remain aware of your operation. External factors could interfere with the users and operators of the elevated setups, causing accidents.

Avoid Inclement Weather

You should be keen on observing the weather and learning the forecast when preparing for a project that requires at-height access. The information will help you efficiently plan your work and avoid accidents. For instance, you should not work during storms and high winds. While elevated mobile platforms are strong, their centre of gravity is high, increasing instability under adverse conditions. Also, you should avoid work during rainy and snowy days because these factors increase the risk of slippage from the unit.

For more information, contact a hire access equipment service.