Tipovers Lead Boom, Scissor Accidents

Tipovers represent 44 to 46 percent of boom-lift falls and 56 to 59 percent of scissor-lift falls, according to an article in the November-December 2007 Journal of Safety Research. The study reports that the majority of accidents during aerial lifts occurred when the devices were operating at heights of 10 to 29 feet.

Three databases were searched in compiling the research: the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) reports, and OSHA Incident Investigation Records.

Contributing facts to falls and tipovers were mechanical failure, lift motion, surface condition, fall protection inadequacies and worker action, according to an SC&RA report.

The study's objective was to identify the most common injury scenarios and determine current research gaps for addressing fall incidents associated with aerial lifts. The analysis provides the aerial lift industry information to prioritize their efforts on aerial lift design.

 

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