The aerial use of the bucket truck is the most important application for this hardworking vehicle. It was primarily designed to make the task of working at great heights safer and simpler and has established itself to be just that. There is probably no safer way of working three to four stories high off the ground than through this particular vehicle.
In dealing with safety concerns for the bucket truck, there are always certain things that need to be considered when this vehicle is used as it was intended, namely to lift workers into the air to perform their jobs. It is important to keep in mind that this vehicle is not “fool-proof” equipment. Like any other equipment, it is still prone to accidents if not properly used. Following is a brief list of some ‘best practices’ that should be considered when operating this vehicle.
1. There must be complete and adequate training of all employees who will work in or perform operations with the bucket. There should be no exceptions to this rule.
2. Do not leave any employees in the bucket when moving from one position to another, no matter how tempting it is to ‘save some time’ in the operation. This can only be done in safety when the particular vehicle being used has been modified to perform such an operation.
3. Secure the boom and bucket before moving the truck as well as any of the outriggers. All of these devices should be securely attached in some way to the body of the truck itself.
4. When in position at the work-site, make sure that the outriggers are properly deployed and situated on firm ground as well as brakes set.
5. Have two sets of controls, either of which can be used at any time. One set of controls is in the aerial platform and the other set is at a ground location, frequently inside the cab of the truck. This ensures that an operator can override the other controls if a problem occurs. Make sure any lower control usage has been first confirmed with any worker(s) in the bucket at the time except in emergency cases. Test these controls as often as the truck is being used, at least once every day for sure.
6. Make sure that the weight of the load being carried as well as the way in which it is positioned in the bucket conforms to all applicable rules and regulations regarding rated capacity for that vehicle. This insures that the aerial platform will not become unbalanced and subject to tipping over the boom.
7. Emphasize the importance to all employees working in the bucket about having and using personal protective devices that are appropriate to the work being done. This should include any type of safety harness that must always be attached to a secure point within the container itself.
8. The only correct position when in the container is with feet firmly placed on the platform floor at all times with no climbing or sitting on its sides while the bucket is deployed in the air.
9. Raise the basket slowly, being alert for any obstacles that have been previously identified and/or come into play during ascent to the working height.
10. Lower the bucket slowly and safely from the working height after having made sure that the area to which it is being lowered has been cleared of both people and any other equipment that might interfere with the basket’s descent and final position on the ground.
These are just some of the guidelines that should be followed when using an aerial bucket truck in the performance of its everyday duties of elevating workers to great heights to allow them to perform their jobs with as much protection as possible. Prior qualification of all crew members is imperative to ensure that safety will always come first in the operation of this lofty-working mechanism!
Christopher Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. If you are interested in learning more about Bucket Truck Sales, go to the main website shown in this link.
