Overhead Protection for Boomlifts and Scissor Lifts

These machines are often used for overhead work, which would be impossible with a ceiling above. Hence, hard hats are the standard protection from things dropping from above.

You have to consider what this equipment is used for. If you put a restriction in the ability to work overhead you effectively reduce 75% of its purpose.

Easy. So in those instances where temporary shelter is required, then the operators at their discretion can fit them.

In more OH&S regulated countries, there may be laws, mandated regulations or certification to be met when "officially" modifying this equipment.

One of our Aerial Lift training companies (IVES) just came out with the recommendation to attach the operator with a relatively short lanyard, (no shock absorbing capabilty) as it is better to be kept inside the basket than fall out and possibly not have enough room to stop before hitting ground (depending on the height of the basket.)

Agreed

In the recent past I worked as an operator in a major East Coast oil refinery and all of our man lifts had the operator on a 2 short lanyards that connected the harness he was wearing to a 2 D rings on the floor of the lift. This prevented the operator from getting pitched out of the bucket of a "cherry picker" type lift when it was being driven over rough roads and the bucket was bouncing up and down. In 30+ years in refineries and power plants I only saw one "crushing injury". In this case the operator positioned a scissor lift on some diamond plate that covered a sump pit. The plate shifted and a wheel dropped onto the hole and the lift fell over into a support column. The operators arm and shoulder was caught between the lift and column. He sustained sustained multiple compound fractures and needed a couple hundred sutures in his scalp. He was out of work a good 10 months. He most likely would have been killed had the column not been there. Most likely nothing would have happened had he used the outriggers. edmund

I have seen lots of these at rental places. No built in overhead protection. I have also seen a number of them in factory settings. Some had one side open, some large roll bar type protection from overhead stuff.

One thing most had in common was the basket had a strong rim around it about 36 inches high, so the operator could duck down and let therim take the weight. These were open railing type constructions. I would suspect they would build any safety features to fit the safety situation

Me thinks you concerned about crushing injury. Well unless your workers are 8.5 feet tall or are allowed to stand on top of handrails or roof they CANNOT access work space in a safe or timely manner. NEXT