The Importance of Aerial Equipment Safety
Aerial equipment accidents can have a devastating impact on those involved. Based on recent statistics set out by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada (AWCBC), the construction industry reports the most accidents and fatalities more so than any other Canadian industry. Injuries related to aerial tools and equipment fall under the construction industry and as such, preventative health and safety rules must be adhered to in order to avoid the risk of accidents or injuries in the future.
When it comes down to it, all aerial equipment accidents can be avoided through preventative measures.
In today’s blog we’ll discuss some of the preventative measures you can take to avoid accidents while working with aerial tools and equipment.
Wear the Proper Protective Gear
When working high above the ground, the risk of falling must be avoided. Wearing the right protective gear such as a harness will ensure that if you do fall, you won’t hit the ground. Your harness should be the right size for your frame, and should be properly adjusted and anchored to the platform you are working on.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
Taking stock of your work environment will allow you to assess anything that could lead to an accident, and will enable you to properly rectify it. Ensuring the surface is level and free of any obstructions will ensure you won’t trip over anything. Keeping equipment like booms, cranes, and other attachments low will avoid you bumping into anything. It’s also important to use a spotter to catch anything you may have initially missed.
Keep Everyone Accountable
The reason why these steps are taken is to mitigate the risk of injury or death from occurring while working with aerial equipment. If you see someone who is not adhering to the safety rules of your work environment, it is important you bring it up to the person in question, or to the person in charge. The last thing you want is for an accident to occur that could have been prevented.
