Maintenance Platforms Safety Tips

Elevating Employees with Forklifts in Maintenance Platforms/Personnel Cages

1. Platforms secured to the forks or mast to prevent tipping, slipping or falling.
2. Lift trucks used to elevate employees should be equipped with a velocity fuse or others means to prevent the raised platform form lowering at an excessive rate  in case of a failure in the load supporting hydraulic control circuits.
3. Safety belt, or harnesses, with lanyard are never a bad idea.
4. An operator in the control position on the truck while employees are on the elevated platform is a must.
5. All bridge cranes or other moving or motorized equipment which could overrun or otherwise injure the elevated worker should be shut down or locked out.
6. Employees will not sit, climb or stand on the platform guardrails or use planks, ladders or other devices to gain elevation.
7. Make sure that the mast is vertical. The mast should not be tilted forward or rearward while persons are elevated.
8. Place truck in neutral and set parking brake.
9. Lift and lower smoothly and with caution.
10. Watch for overhead obstructions.
11. Keep hands and feet clear of controls other than those in use.
12. Never travel with personnel on the work platform other than to make minor movements for final positioning of the platform.