09 May Safety Stand-Down: Aerial Lift Safety
Power Line Services performing transmission line maintenance using aerial lift equipment.
Safety Stand-Down Week was initiated in 2014 as part of the National Falls Campaign— a fall prevention and awareness campaign led by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The goal of the weeklong stand-down, May 6-10, is to raise awareness of the severe risks surrounding worker falls on the jobsite, accounting for 350 of 937 construction fatalities and 648 of the 4,836 fatalities throughout all industries in 2015, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Though the initiative was originally geared toward the construction industry, OSHA encourages all companies to join, regardless of size, industry, and location.
As a leading, full service power line construction, pipeline construction, and specialty contractor that serves the electric power line, pipeline, oil field electrical and industrial markets throughout North America, PLH Group successfully completes projects while keeping a strong focus on its commitment to employee safety.
That is why PLH Group– including all of its 11 entities– is proud to participate in OSHA’s 2019 Safety Stand-Down Week.
Throughout the week, PLH Group is committed to taking time from routine tasks to raise awareness, stimulate worker discussions, and inform preventative measures surrounding worker falls. One of the most significant sources of worker falls, resulting in roughly 26 fatalities each year, occurs while working from an aerial lift.
Working from an aerial lift is a common practice throughout the 11 PLH Group entities. Therefore, PLH Group recently published Aerial Lifts: Avoiding the Shock in support of Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI)’s Electrical Safety Month this May.
This article referenced a chilling video of a very fortunate worker who was unharmed after being struck by a tractor trailer truck while performing work from an aerial lift.
It reminded employees of specific aerial lift safety considerations, including adequate lift operational training and safety inspections, securing the lift area, tying off while on the lift, and wearing the correct personal protective equipment (PPE) for the job.
In addition to these safety considerations, workers should also be mindful to stay at least 10 feet from overhead power lines if not performing specific work on the lines. Do not drive the lift vehicle while the lift is elevated, unless specifically stated by the lift’s manufacturer. Additionally, never extend reach outside of one’s capacity while working from a lift, regardless if secured by PPE.
Join PLH Group in taking time during Safety Stand-Down Week to discuss other aerial lift safety considerations that directly apply to your team. Follow Twitter hashtag, #StandDown4Safety to see how each PLH Group entity is uniquely recognizing Safety Stand-Down Week per the specific tasks of its business, region, and work environment.