An aerial work platform, which is also known as aerial devices or instruments or elevating work platforms are basically the apparatus which is used to access those points where workers cannot reach easily so these machines can frequently approach to carry out the responsibility. They are frequently used in the construction or maintenance of the buildings or by firefighters for emergency access. Many of them are distinguished from most of the cranes by having a heavy load and safe working while some of them are restricted to a certain limit of words such as a ton. They also serve for many other services beyond the construction or maintenance, as for the electrical outlets or for the containers of compressed air for the power tools. The pre-operational inspection should incorporate the following precautions.
- Working controls should be tested.
- One should inspect the way of movement properly.
- Drive it securely.
- Platforms should be raised securely.
- Practice the work and bring down the lift safely and securely.
There are also some certain mechanized access platforms that are specifically called the “cherry picker “or “scissor lift. “ The scissor lift is the type of platform that usually works vertically. It was first invented in 1963 by Charles Larson of the USA. The criss-cross pattern supports it in achieving the mechanism of bending, folding, and lifting. Its contraction can be hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical means. www.centroelevatori.com is the best site to buy used and new aerial platforms.
Motion control and mechanism
As they are designed for the temporary work, so they are generally transported between different sites or within a construction site. Therefore, they are designed for the movements. Some of these motion mechanisms include unpowered movement: It generally includes the smaller units which don’t require any motive mechanism or any other external force to move them. This all depends upon their size. Self-propelled: These include the machinery which is able to move either by wheels or by tracks around a site. Vehicle-mounted: Some of the platforms are mounted on the vehicles to move them from one site to another. These vehicles provide them motility and also help them to stabilize.
The power functions of the platform, if fixed or can be lifted, are controlled by an operator who is either present on the platform or can control the platform by remaining at the base of the operator is at height or become unable to operate the system due to some reason the control panel also serves for controlling the platform.
Safety operations
Dealing with aerial work platforms requires a lot of safety that is why the manufacturers and the operators have many safety criteria for their operation.
Sometimes, the operators contain the guard or safety rails or chains to tie the platform itself to contain operators.
Dealing with aerial work platforms requires a lot of safety that is why the manufacturers and the operators have many safety criteria for their operation. Sometimes, the operators contain the guard or safety rails or chains to tie the platform itself to contain operators.
In most of the recent models, the safety guard rails have been replaced by harness belts or fall arresters. Some of them also consist of a lip attached to the platform itself in order to avoid tools being accidentally kicked off the platform. If the aerial work platforms are being used in the vicinity of the electrical power lines, the operator or controller should be properly electrocuted in case the lift comes in contact with the electrical power supply. The operators or controllers should also be equipped with tilt sensors. The most important among these sensors is the overweight sensor that will detect whether the platform is overweight or not, and it also not allow the platform to raise if it is overweight. One should also look for the slope, slippery surfaces, or unbalanced surfaces and should also prepare a proper strategy for the hazards through these surfaces while working with the machine. The operator or controller should also maintain a proper balance while standing on the platform. Otherwise, it will lead to many serious injuries.
