In primary stage of any construction project, proper access equipment play a vital role. Safer the aerial work platforms, safer the built project and hence their safety should be taken care of

 An Aerial Work Platform (AWP), also known as an aerial device, is a mechanical device used to provide temporary access for people or equipment to inaccessible areas, usually at height. They are generally used for temporary, flexible access purposes such as maintenance and construction work.

AWPs may also be equipped with specialist equipment, such as carrying frames for window glass. They are usually capable of being set up and operated by a single person. Therefore, it is obviously important to look at and take care of AWPs from their safety point of view.

Safety first
The majority of manufacturers and operators have strict safety criteria for the operation of AWPs. In some countries, a licence and/or insurance is required to operate some types of AWP. Most protocols advocate training every operator, whether mandated or not. In AWPs offer many advantages.

AWPs actually need to get fitted with safety or guard rails around the platform itself to contain operators and passengers. Extreme caution must be taken when using AWPs in the vicinity of overhead power lines. AWPs often come equipped with a variety of tilt sensors. Some models of AWPs additionally feature counterweights while some lifts are also fitted with sensors which prevent operation if the weight on the platform exceeds the safe working load. However, the advantages offered by AWPs are always considered to get built the project in quick time.

Commenting on the advantages of AWPs, Ketan Patel, Director, Maco Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. says, “AWP is the safest equipment available compared to the traditional methods of working at heights like scaffolding, ladders, gondolas etc. In addition, AWPs are much quicker to set up as compared to its conventional alternatives.”

There is no wonder that current players in the industry are; therefore, much more concerned about the safety factor they are delivering through their AWPs.

“Haulotte access equipment are manufactured as per European CE standards conforming to EN280, which are amongst the most stringent in terms of safety,” says Souma Ray, General Manager, Haulotte India Pvt. Ltd. “There are safety cut-off systems which prevent the machine to be overloaded or work at an outreach which can result in an accident due to negligence of the operator. Our objective is to produce machines which give a confidence to work at heights.”

D Nalin Kumar, Product Manager, Palfinger Cranes India Pvt. Ltd., says, “Palfinger access platforms are custom designed for aerial applications. Our dedicated R&D team makes sure that the unit i.e. the access platform and the vehicle on which the AWP is mounted is completely safe even under robust conditions through various analysis.”

According to Mr Kumar, through this analysis the company makes sure the following:
• Stability: to achieve safety factor 1.5
• To determine suitable truck based on the GVW, payload, front and rear axle load, PTO (power take off), chassis etc.
• Safety of the unit: for fully loaded conditions with respect to height, reach and weight
• A project drawing based on the company’s analysis proving the unit safety will be handed over to the customer.

While safety is always the responsibility of the AWP operator, JLG Industries supports safe equipment operation through training, design, and meeting the applicable industry standards.

JLG Industries provide decals on all JLG products that alert users and operators to important safety information. All operators are required to read and understand the machine’s operation and safety manual, be properly trained, and to complete all pre-start inspections prior to using the machine.

Safety features
Here it will be helpful to see what safety features are being offered by current players in the industry for the purpose.

Mr Ray describes some of them which are offered by Haulotte India:
• High speed drive cut out: when the machine is unfolded while travelling at high speed there is a risk of the operator being thrown out of the platform in high speed drivefunction. To avoid such mishaps we provide with high speed drive cut out
• Slope sensor: this doesn’t allow the machine to function above a certain degree of slope, so that the centre of gravity is not deviated from the perimeters of the machine
• Overload: while working on height an overloaded platform can be a reason to create enough leverage to topple the machine. Hence we use overload sensor to cut off the function of machine when it is overloaded
• Protection during scissor lowering: when the scissor is actually lowered, the machine cuts off for 3-5 seconds at 3 metres of height. This enables the operator to check that there is no hindrance like a person standing or anything stuck in between the scissor arms while lowering the scissor below this height
• Potholes: these are used in electrical scissors, so that the total weight of the machine is distributed equally under the surface area of the machine to give more stability.

Moreover, Haulotte active shield bar is designed by Haulotte to reduce over head crushing injuries. The active shield bar is found near the controls in the basket, when the bar is moved 18 degree towards the controls; the active shield bar gets activated, which halts the machine and simultaneously activating the alarm and the flashing light. Once the alarm is activated, the operator can only lower the boom or reverse the machine.

On the other hand, Maco Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd. offers the complete ‘Genie’ range of products in India. Genie, a part of the TEREX organisation, is an established brand in the production of material lifts, light towers, portable AWPs, scissor lifts, self-propelled telescopic booms, articulated booms and telehandlers.

“Genie AWPs are manufactured in compliance to the International Standards such as ANSI, CE, CSA, and AUS. Hence the machines have all the safety features available,” informs Mr Patel.

Mr Patel explains safety features of Genie machines. Few of which are:
• Tilt alarms and function cut offs wherever needed to prevent the machines from further advancing thereby preventing accidents
• Load sensors to indicate and stop overloading of the machine in all Maco machines (CE)
• Touch sensors to stop the machine on the slightest impact in Maco’s boom lifts is offered as an accessory
• Pothole guards in Maco’s scissor lifts
• Emergency lowering systems.
According to Mr Patel, “Genie’s recent innovation has been the OPS Guard (Operators Protective Structure) which is patented and proven to be the best among all the access platform anufactures in the world.”

Whereas Mr Kumar talks about the main features offered by Palfinger access platforms. He says, “Our platforms are insulated to ensure safety electrical applications. We provide overload protection system with alarm. Further, emergency cut off, working light on the basket and safety belt, basket load measuring cell, radio remote control, and tool box are some more features from our side.”

As per the JLG’s working system, a platform completely surrounds the operator and includes anchors for connecting fall-protection harness and lanyards worn by operators. Controllers provide intuitive directional control to the equipment that is coupled with a means to prevent movement in the event a controller is accidently bumped. Further, AWPs also have control panels located at the ground to allow a safety spotter to override the operator’s controls on the work platform in the event of an emergency.

Training sessions
Since safety is of paramount importance, proper operation and knowledge about AWPs is very important. To meet this aspect, Maco imparts proper hands on training to their customers’ operators time to time.

Maco’s training programme includes a classroom sessions which teach about safety aspect, drawings etc. It also involves hands on training programme for operators and maintenance teams. At the end of the training, Maco conducts an evaluation system by which the eligible personnel are chosen who could be made responsible for operating the machine.

Of course, it is not only the AWPs that should be considered responsible for all the safety offered, but the operators working on machines also should be well trained enough and capable.

“We do conduct training for AWP operators on our machines for our customers. We do have standard training, depending on the model purchased,” informs Mr Ray. “We have three standard categories in training: operator, maintenance and troubleshooting. For operator and maintenance training, generally a day each is sufficient. While for troubleshooting training, it takes 2-3 days depending on the type of the model.”

JLG also provides training to operators. The company provides training to customers as well through its network of local distributors who are trained directly by JLG.

Thus the picture looks enough promising and satisfying on this front as well. After all, safe AWPs and equally safe operation ensure higher efficiency and productivity and that is what any construction project craves for.

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AWP is the safest equipment available compared to the traditional methods of working at heights

Ketan Patel, Director,
Maco Corporation (India) Pvt. Ltd.
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Our objective is to produce machines which give a confidence to work at heights.

Souma Ray, General Manager,
Haulotte India Pvt. Ltd.
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Our platforms are insulated to ensure safety electrical applications.

D Nalin Kumar, Product Manager,
Palfinger Cranes India Pvt. Ltd.