What You Need to Understand before You Hire a Boom Lift

When you want to reach height safely and need a platform to work there comfortably then a boom lift can be a great solution. Using an elevated platform is not only more convenient for your workers than erecting scaffolding every time they need to reach somewhere but it is also far safer than trying to work from a ladder. While a boom lift is normally safe when used properly it is important to understand that no piece of work equipment will be safe to use if you ignore the proper safeguards.

What risks come with boom lift hire?

With a boom lift, you must consider the risks of coming into contact with static objects such as trees or parts of a building. There is also the risk of the moving lift hitting people or other moving objects. You will also need to think about the potential for the boom lift to tip over or for the operator to fall from the lift. While the risk of these things may be small, understanding that there is the potential for an accident to occur is the first step towards avoiding it and completing the job safely.

What do you need to know when choosing a boom lift?

Before arranging to hire a boom lift there are two things which you should do to ensure that the hire is incident-free and that you have chosen the correct boom lift for your job.

Understand the specifications

Every boom lift that you can hire is provided with a full specification detailing the expected horizontal reach, working height and loading capacity of the lift. It is when you try to use a lift in a way for which it was not designed that you run the risk of creating an accident. Never try to use a boom lift to reach further than the designer intended, or you risk creating an imbalance and tipping over the boom lift.

Take the correct training

While you might think that using a boom lift is quite simple, it is still important to have the right training before you start work. You are responsible for the safety of your staff while they are at work and they need to be aware of the correct way to use a boom lift. Even if the workers have received training in the past it never hurts to update the training especially if the model of the lift has changed and there are new features which they may not have encountered before.

Understanding how to choose the right boom lift and being able to use it safely ensures that your boom lift hire will be easy and the job will be completed successfully.