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Aerial Lifts and Safety
Aerial lifts have largely replaced ladders and scaffolding on job sites. To ensure safety, EU regulations require fall protection when using these lifts.
What Are Aerial Lifts?
Aerial lifts are machines designed to elevate workers. They include:
- Extendable Boom Platforms: Lifts with adjustable arms.
- Aerial Ladders: Lifts with ladders that extend upward.
- Articulating Boom Platforms: Lifts with arms that can bend.
- Vertical Towers: Lifts that move straight up and down.
- Combinations of These: Lifts with mixed features.
Scissor lifts, which move only up and down, are often treated as scaffolding rather than aerial lifts. While they usually have guardrails and might not need extra fall protection, many workplaces still require Personal Fall Arrest Systems (PFAS) for added safety, often secured with hooks for reliability.
EU Standards for Aerial Lifts
EU regulations help prevent accidents by setting safety standards:
- Directive 2009/104/EC: Requires work equipment, including aerial lifts, to be safe and properly maintained.
- Regulation (EU) 2016/425: Sets standards for personal protective equipment, like safety harnesses.
- Directive 89/655/EEC (updated by Directive 2001/45/EC): Covers the use of work equipment and safety measures.
- General Safety Directive 89/655/EEC: Requires using a fall arrest or restraint system, such as a self retracting lifeline, attached to the lift, secured by hooks.
- Construction Directive 92/57/EEC: Requires wearing a body harness and lanyard attached to the lift, secured with carabiners.
Fall Protection Gear for Aerial Lifts
Here are some common types of fall protection gear:
- Restraint Lanyards:
- Purpose: Prevent workers from falling out of the lift. Available in various lengths and can be attached with carabiners.
- Example: Camp Safety’s Rope Adjuster 0.5-2m. Features strong rope and an ergonomic adjustment device.
- Energy-Absorbing Lanyards:
- Purpose: Reduce the impact force in case of a fall with a deceleration device.
- Example: Camp Safety’s Shock Absorber Double Rope 135cm. Combines durable rope, two hooks and a compact shock absorber.
- Leading Edge Personal Fall Limiters (PFLs):
- Purpose: Provide quick locking in case of a fall, ideal for situations where restraint isn’t enough.
- Example: Camp Safety’s Shock Absorber with Rope Lanyards & Connectors 190cm. Designed with strong rope and shock absorbing, suitable for sharp edges.
Choosing the right fall protection gear is crucial for working safely with aerial lifts. Ensure compliance with EU regulations and use best practices to stay safe.
