Alan Wood

Top Precautions to Remember Before Starting Work on Powered Suspended Personnel Platforms

Powered suspended platforms are useful for reaching an inaccessible high spot over the ground, and safely accessing the area to work there in. Know about some of the major precautions to take before the commencement of work on powered platforms.

Proper equipments

Prior to the use of a suspended personnel platform, it is necessary to consider the use of personnel hoists, aerial lifts, stairways, scaffolds and ladders. It is prohibited to use a suspended crane personnel platform unless no other conventional, practical and safe way of access to the elevated worksite is found. In case such options are impossible or riskier in nature due to worksite conditions or structural design, hoisting personnel is allowed from a crane.

Written processes and policies

It is advisable to have a written procedure and policy, to guide workers through the OSHA regulations and requirements on derrick and crane safety. While one personnel is suspended from a crane, applicable crane installation and lifting requirements need to be properly adhered to. The full load weight to be hoisted must not surpass 50% of the load chart capacity of the crane. While sizing the crane necessary for safe access to elevated working area, this needs to be taken into account.

Trial lift

Before actually lifting personnel with the help of elevator hoist, the suspended platform swing stage must be evaluated, a positive locking safety latch needs to be there over the crane hook, a boom angle indicator needs to be made visible readily to the operator and more.

Author Resource:

Alan advises people about elevator installation platforms, tower maintenance platform, lifting equipments, window cleaning gondola & suspended working platform etc. You can find his thoughts at safety platforms blog. Get more info about the best elevator hoist by visiting here.