The bucket truck is currently one of the most useful pieces of heavy equipment for many industries. The equipment was originally developed for picking fruit in orchards but has proven to be useful equipment in different industries such as electric utilities, communications, etc. Your company might even need to consider the use of one of these!
The boom is the arm of the bucket truck at the end of which the bucket is attached. It lifts the bucket into high places – places that cannot be reached using common ladders. Depending on the design, there are trucks that have single boom arms and there are those that have double boom arms. The boom can be operated by either the truck engine or a separate auxiliary engine mounted on the back of the truck.
The bucket is one of the most important parts of this truck and comes in various designs. There are buckets that are designed to hold two people and there are those that can only hold one person at a time. Generally, bucket design includes a storage bin for tools and materials that workers need to accomplish their aerial tasks.
This long-armed lifter also comes with different accessories. These accessories are not only used to prolong the life of the bucket; they are also for the safely of the worker as well. By giving significant attention to the necessity for safety in providing workers with these accessories, worker productivity can only increase. Workers can proceed to get their job done, secure in the knowledge that their employer considers safety so important. Below are some parts and accessories for these vehicles and the safety each one provides to operators and workers.
Accessories to Improve Productivity, Well-Being and Safety
- Deterioration-resistant pole saw holder – These are hard plastic holders that are highly resistant to the saw blade destroying the holder and causing accidental injury if the holder breaks and the saw falls onto the worker.
- Thigh-brace support – Another problem that causes a great deal of back strain is the necessity for the worker to apply leverage outside of the bucket which causes the worker to lean at an awkward, unsafe angle. A hard plastic support that is attached to the bucket or liner has amazing results in nearly eliminating this problem.
- Bondable non-slip material – Slippage while in the bucket is an ongoing problem which is typically treated with the use of a ‘scuff pad’ that fits the bottom of the liner. These pads do not adhere well and can slip themselves. A non-slip material has been developed that adheres very well in addition to being dielectrically sound.
- Ergonomic floor mats – These mats are temperature-resistant, non-conductive and filled with air to provide a safe, comfortable basis on which the worker can stand for hours even in hot or inclement weather.
- Water pump – This is a pump operated by hand that removes any standing water from the bucket. They are designed to remove up to two inches of standing water from the floor in less than three minutes time.
- Cleaning kits – This may not seem like a safety feature; however, the ability to remove dirt and in particular tree sap from liners, covers, etc. can make that bucket a whole lot safer as well as cleaner!
Everyday Safety Tips
In addition to accessories that can help with safety issues, following are some safety tips that need to be addressed with workers to prevent accidents that could result in physical injury to the operators and workers of bucket trucks.
- No modification without higher authority approval – Although not specifically limited to this, the main purpose of these trucks is to elevate workers to any job site above the ground. Since the truck can be modified for other uses and purposes apart from that for which it was designed, a wise employer would require written approval for modification from the manufacturer or an equally accredited authority to any proposed worker modifications of the vehicle.
- Strict adherence to power line safety requirements – The strict requirements for trucks working near power lines should be closely followed. These requirements include: not getting too near to the power lines by maintaining a specific distance; de-energizing procedures should be properly implemented; only workers who are qualified should use the truck; any overhead lines should be grounded to name a few safety considerations.
- No driving with worker elevated in the bucket – The truck should not be driven while a worker is elevated inside the bucket. In cases of emergency, lower controls should only be operated with permission of the worker inside the bucket. Appropriate protective gear should be worn at all times during operations.
- Clear marking on all controls – Buttons and controls must be visibly and clearly marked and if possible, show its defined function. These buttons and controls should be tested to ensure that they are all functioning before deploying the truck to the workplace.
Adhering to these safety guidelines as well as the acquisition of accessories and parts for worker safety will not only save an employer from future expenses; it will also save the lives of their employees. Safety is always first!
Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Bucket Truck Parts
