Safely operating cherry pickers for aerial works is crucial. If you’ve ever been unsure about how to use cherry pickers safely, this article will help you
To ensure that a cherry picker is used in the safest way possible, it’s important for everyone (even those not operating the machine itself) to understand the key cherry picker safety rules that need to be followed when working in or around the machine.
At Concord Access Solutions, we’ve put together a cherry picker safety checklist that will help you to work with the machine as safely as possible. But let’s start by understanding what to know when deciding which cherry picker to hire.
What cherry pickers to hire for aerial works?
Before you can adhere to cherry picker safety procedures, it’s important to understand the key elements in deciding how to know which cherry picker to hire for aerial work. Here are a few questions to ask and answer in order for the experts like Concord Access Solutions to help you decide which machine is best;
- What industry are you in and what do you require of a cherry picker?
- What does the site or ground look like where the cherry picker will be working? Is it sand or concrete? Is it flat or inclined?
- What are the requirements of the job and site when it comes to these aspects:
– Working height?
– Horizontal outreach?
– Up and over clearance? - What is the load capacity you need to be moved, in other words what kind of lift and platform capacity do you require from a cherry picker?
Cherry Picker Safety Checklist
What are the safety procedures for operating cherry pickers for aerial works?
There are a few key safety checks for cherry pickers that should be undergone before you even turn the machine on. Adhering to these cherry picker safety checks, will help to ensure that projects are as safe as possible.
Pre-Start Check
Before you even switch the cherry picker on, you need to conduct a prestart safety check. This entails checking certain levels of the machine including:
- Fuel
- Oil
- Water
- Hydraulic fluid
It is also important to check mechanical elements like the tyres, hinges, pins and brakes before switching the machine on too. The last prestart safety check is to check that the emergency stop or safety stop control is working.
Site Clearance
Once you’ve checked the working condition of the cherry picker, you should now check the site in which it will be operating.
- How does the ground underneath the machine look?
- If it’s soil, has it sunk or become water logged? Has it slanted or inclined at all?
- Is the site clear of power lines and other electrical cables?
- How does the weather look? Could rain, snow, wind, or sleet compromise the good working condition of the picker in anyway if you’re operating outside?
Safety Gear
When operating or working in the vicinity of any heavy machinery, it is always advisable to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at all times. Hard hats, safety harnesses and safety boots should always be worn.
Maintenance & Servicing
To ensure that the cherry picker stays in excellent working condition it should undergo regular maintenance checks and servicing.
Find out more about our wide range of cherry pickers on sale with Concord Access Solutions, by calling us on 011 393 6437 or Get A Quote today.