Powered access platforms are the safest way to work at height and while fatal accidents are rare, a new project aims to reduce the risks and raise awareness for all the industries that use access equipment.
Last month, The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) launched a scheme to collect worldwide data on fatal accidents involving aerial work platforms to improve the safe use of equipment.
Manufacturers, rental companies, contractors and users can report any known accidents or incidents by filling in a form on the organisation's website. The information will create a comprehensive database that can spot trends and improve safety, training and equipment.
In a letter to IPAF members, CEO Tim Whiteman said: "Powered access offers one of the safest and most efficient ways to work at height. When an accident happens involving a platform, it tends to become a spectacle and grabs the headlines. However, powered access actually accounts for a small percentage of all accidents related to work at height, and this project intends to uncover hard data to support that anecdotal evidence and to inform further safety initiatives."
Falls are the main cause of accidents and the construction industry has the highest rate of fatal injury. Often accidents occur as a result of insufficient training or misuse of equipment and it is the responsibility of the employer or individual user of the access platforms to ensure that all the legal safety requirements for use of the machinery are met.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests the following precautions should be taken by anyone using access equipment to avoid unnecessary and serious accidents such as tip overs or falls:
- All equipment should be properly checked for safety and performance in the last six months
- Only fit working platforms to suitable machines and make sure they are fitted properly
- Check the manufacturers guidance to ensure that trucks and mobile platforms are compatible
- Machines should have a tilt/trip 'lock' to prevent accidental tilting of the platform
- Use properly constructed working platforms with full edge protection
- Edge protection gates should open inwards, upwards or sideways, and return automatically to the closed position
- Fit suitable screens/guards to platforms to prevent access to any dangerous parts of the mast or boom
- Always ensure someone remains at the controls of the truck while the platform is elevated
Most accidents involving powered access platforms are avoidable but when they do happen they can be serious and even fatal. Make sure you are working on suitable equipment with fully trained people and that a full risk assessment has been carried out on the working area before you start. Information can be shared with IPAF at http://www.ipaf.org/accident to help prevent further accidents in the future.