Reaching heights during various projects by mitigating the risk of danger is always something that needs a safe lifting machine. Such lifts are meant to be used for repairs, maintenance, and construction of various sites and are called aerial work platforms. These platforms are suitable for multiple purposes, whether it is about painting the roof or repairing a part of it. The aerial work platforms can be used in multiple projects and have different types.
If you are looking to learn everything about these aerial platforms in detail and incorporate them into your projects, the guide below can help you. So, let’s go through it.
What is an Aerial Work Platform (AWP)?
An aerial work platform is mechanical equipment that offers access to areas on elevation. These comprise a work platform vertically lifted and are widely used by construction companies, warehousing, and maintenance projects to achieve tasks at a height.
These platforms allow the lifting of the workers and transport equipment and tools to perform overhead tasks. They ensure mobility as well as the safety of the people when working at heights.
The AWP is more stable than the ladders and other traditional methods used for accessibility of heights. These platforms have adjustable heights, and based on the task requirement, the height can be extended as needed. They even have guardrails ensuring safety and have wheels for ease of mobility.
Importance in Various Industries
An aerial work platform is a work platform that vertically raises personnel and tools at elevated areas. These platforms enhance the safety and productivity of different industries and allow accessing the heighted areas with efficiency.
They reduce the time taken by traditional methods and also ensure more flexibility, precision, and safety. These are mobile elevating work platforms that can be moved as needed.
The workers at the job site can easily position themselves where required. One of the major benefits is safety because they have harness attachment points, guardrails, and even emergency controls. Hence, they can protect people from accidents and facilitate tasks like cleaning, repairing, maintaining, and even constructing efficiently.
Common Types of Aerial Work Platforms
There are many types of aerial work platforms, and they are discussed below.
Cherry Picker Boom Lifts
Cherry picker boom lifts have an extendable arm that lets the workers reach areas that are very high, ensuring precision. These lifts have a platform or a bucket where a person can stand safely. Cherry picker boom lifts are used in maintaining trees, removing dead branches, and repairing tasks. They are equipped with high maneuverability and can easily navigate in tight spaces with obstructions.
Scissor Lifts
Scissor lifts are composed of a crossing pattern, which helps with vertical lifting. They are meant for such applications that need a larger platform with high stability. These lifts are capable of opting for construction sites and warehouses and conducting maintenance tasks on surfaces that are stable. They can be used for working on the ceilings and installing fixtures. They have a broad work area, and hence, multiple workers with their materials can stand on it with stability.
Telescopic Boom Lifts
A telescopic boom has a straight arm that extends in a linear way, and hence, these are also called straight boom lifts. These lifts are meant to cater to such areas where having direct access is significant and the height is also high. These lifts are used in maintenance, construction, and installation processes and can help reach tall structures. They can even navigate over obstacles.
Articulating Boom Lifts
Articulating boom lifts a comprise of arms joined together. These lifts can pivot and bend and hence can navigate areas that have obstacles and, at the same time, offer accessibility to hard-to-reach spaces. These are meant to be used for conducting maintenance and construction jobs in tight spaces or complex structures. They are highly flexible and can be used on worksites that have limited space.
Aerial Work Platforms (AWPs) for Specialized Tasks
The specialized aerial work platform is designed for some special tasks due to the features they have. They are used in specialized tasks which may include restoration, repairs, cleaning, and maintenance that are conducted in tight spaces or for tall structures with extraordinary heights. These platforms have special features that make them efficient for diversified scenarios
Benefits of Using Aerial Work Platforms
Aerial work platforms are frequently used to cater to multiple tasks as they offer an incredible solution to reach heights with convenience and security. There are multiple benefits to choosing these machine-mounted platforms, and some of these are discussed below.
Enhanced Safety
These lifts are designed to reduce the chances of risk associated with the concept of working at heights. They reduce the chance of accidents and falls with their guardrails and stable platforms. The man lifts comprise a platform that keeps them secure, giving them sufficient space to move around while working. Hence, compared to ladders, the stability is commendable, and one can easily perform tasks on elevated platforms.
Increased Efficiency
Aerial work platforms allow workers to complete tasks in the quickest possible way, and they even have to endure less physical effort. These lifts are equipped with an easy-to-operate mechanism, and hence, quick positioning is possible, saving time spent in repositioning the ladders. It comprises features like extendable arms and adjustable heights that reduce downtime.
Versatile Applications
The aerial work platforms offer high adaptability and hence can cater to a wide range of tasks. These personnel lifts can be used for maintaining trees, building repairs, and setting up events. Hence, the diversity of these lifts and their types ensure that there is a solution available for all the tasks taking place at elevation.
Safety Considerations When Using AWPs
AWPs are vehicle-mounted lifts that need to follow some safety conditions when used, similar to other machinery. Some of these safety considerations to keep in place while using them are discussed below.
Pre-Operation Inspections
A pre-operation inspection plays a vital role in assessing the functionality and safety of the AWP. It helps you identify any issues like hydraulic leaks, faults in the lifts, or any damaged parts that impact safety. Operators must keep a check on the emergency system, guardrails, and platform controls before operating them.
Operator Training
Appropriate training is also very important for the effectiveness and safety of the aerial working platforms. The operators must be trained enough to have an idea of the equipment controls and the safety features associated. They must be trained and educated on immediate response to emergency situations so that the risk of accidents is minimized.
Adhering to Safety Regulations
While operating the aerial work platforms, following safety regulations and guidelines is very important. Complying with standards set by organizations like OSHA ensures safety. It also consists of using proper protective gear and safety procedures for operating the machine. By adhering to these rules, one may ensure safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
Choosing the Right Aerial Work Platform
Selecting the right type of aerial work platform depends on the specific application and the project requirements. Some of the factors to consider when choosing the AWP are as follows:
- Determine the maximum horizontal reach and height that you need to support the task. The tasks that need horizontal and vertical elevation at a significant rate, boom lifts prove to be a suitable choice.
- The size of the platform and weight capacity also needs attention, you have to consider the number of people and tools that will be transported in the lift and choose the AWP accordingly.
- There are multiple such projects that are undertaken in confined spaces, and in such cases, articulated boom lifts prove to be a better choice. They offer high flexibility, and the workers can navigate easily in tight spaces.
The selection of the aerial work platform is highly dependent on the nature of your project and the required height. Based on these requirements, you can choose to have the right working platform that adds ease to your tasks. When you have to work on a job site that has limited space, you will have different requirements, and when you have to work in an open area, the situation will be different.
Conclusion
Aerial work platforms offer a lot of ease when it comes to conducting multiple tasks at heightened structures. There are multiple types, and each type is different in terms of suitability. As you have read the guide above, you must have understood everything about these platforms and how you can ensure safety with them. The Everstar machinery offers excellent AWPs to make your projects equipped with more flexibility and convenience when it comes to lifting at heights.
Looking for the Right Aerial Work Platform to Reach Elevations? Everstar Machinery Is the Go-To Choice!
So, are you looking for the right elevation platform for your upcoming project? Get in touch with us, and you’ll have insight into expert advice based on your requirements and a tailored solution to complete your project with ease.
