Hide Notes 

Slide 1: Ensuring Safety of Work Platforms Part of the challenge in construction and maintenance is adherence to safety standards. In construction and maintenance activities, the work platform is one of the most dangerous, yet very important equipment being used. Work platforms provide construction workers access to higher parts of the building in a convenient and efficient manner. This equipment, which is sometimes referred to as cherry pickers, is also essential during maintenance works or for firefighters trying to save lives. In the long run, work platforms that are designed with safety as a primary factor can offer considerable cost efficiency to businesses. Due to the danger associated with the use of work platform, it becomes important to utilize only the safest equipment available in the market. The most beneficial work platform utilize technology and design that aim to minimize, or better yet, completely eliminate accidents on site. Safety of work platforms should also be coupled with high-quality performance and reliability of the equipment. Work platforms with compact and lightweight design are also preferred. Work platforms need designs that make use of materials that are strong and durable to make the equipment’s cage well protected from possible damage. To guarantee safe operation of work platform equipment, suppliers are developing new technologies and are incorporating impact-resistant materials that will make the machine more sturdy to protect the operator. In case of accidents, these work platforms should be able take most of the impact, and if a part should be damaged, it should be easy enough to replace it in a timely and inexpensive manner. Most work platforms have extra safety mechanisms in addition to safety rails and harness to secure the operator. Safety designs should be found in all types of work platforms, including those that can be controlled using a remote control from the cage. Good designs, for instance, should be able to prevent involuntary movement of the equipment in case the operator gets trapped between an overhead barrier and the machine’s control system. Well-designed work platforms are usually equipped with a mechanism that will stop the operation of the machine in case there is an unexpected malfunction. Operators controlling the elevated work platform are also required to undergo proper and sufficient training that includes being equipped with the proper knowledge to pre-check the machine. Work platform operators should also know the limits of the machine to prevent any untoward incidents. Work platforms are typically fitted with safety precaution mechanisms, taking into consideration all possible scenarios that could endanger the lives of the operator and other people in the area. With newer and better technologies available in the work platform industry, construction and maintenance reap the benefits. http://www.niftylift.com.au