Personnel Lifts: Boosting Efficiency and Safety

Part 1: Lift Specification: Key Considerations

Part 2: Proper Inspection Ensures Safer Lift Operations

Part 3: How to Prevent Electrocution When Operating Lifts

Part 4: Training Workers Improves Personnel Lift Safety

Part 5: Lift Manufacturers Offer Operating and Maintenance Manuals

Part 6: Provide Technicians with Detailed Lift Instruction Manuals

Proper Inspection Ensures Safer Lift Operations

By Thomas A. Westerkamp, - November 2008

The preparation and inspection routine outlined in the operation manual for one popular articulated boom lift contains 40 checkpoints. Each checkpoint refers to a diagram in the manual showing the component’s location and written instructions for carrying out the inspection.

For example, the recommended checks for boom-section lift cylinders and master cylinders include making sure no damage is visible, pivot pins are secure, and hydraulic hoses are not damaged or leaking. Recommended checks for the hydraulic pump and reservoir include making sure they are properly secured to the frame, no damage or leaking hydraulic fluid is visible, the fluid level is up on the dipstick with the system shut down and the boom stowed, and the breather cap and dipstick are secure and working properly.

Platform recommendations include making sure no parts are loose, no damage is visible, platform mounting pins are secure, and the footswitch controlling the drive from the platform is working and not modified, disabled, or blocked.

The platform control panel is an important center of activity for personnel lifts that operators can control from the ground or the platform.