Is there a checklist before using an aerial lift platform?

Using an aerial lift platform is one of the safest ways to perform work at height. To ensure this use is always carried out under excellent conditions, it is essential to check your equipment through maintenance ranging from pre-use daily checks to regular in-depth examinations required by law, to major inspections. To detect possible problems upstream, we can only advise you to use a checklist before using your aerial lift platform. We recommend the one that IPAF, the international federation for equipment dedicated to work at height, makes available to you.We also provide a basic daily check form in the manual in each of our units. Although the boom is put through a loler inspection every 6 months, it is still important to carry out frequent visual checks too.

This checklist will allow you to organise your checks and helps you make sure you haven’t forgotten anything.

Checks can be organised into two broad categories :

Visual checks

This examination must be carried out with the greatest attention. Its purpose is to detect any deterioration on the main elements that make up the aerial work platform and the vehicle.

• Wheels/tyres : If the surface of the tyre is level with the wear indicator, or the indicator is no longer visible, it is a sign that your tyres are worn out.
• Engine/power source : all fluids are essential for the proper functioning of a lifting platform. Carefully check the levels and verify that there are no external leaks.
• Hydraulics : the inspection of fluids is also essential for the proper functioning of the vehicle/platform.
• Hoses and cables : checking the condition of the cables is essential. Make sure there are no cuts or friction wear.
• Outriggers, stabilisers (if the machine has any) : check the condition and proper functioning of the equipment.
• Chassis, boom and scissor pack : inspect the general condition of the chassis. Corrosion and cracks in the welds are important check points.
• Basket or cage : check in particular that the safety devices are present and in good condition. (Harness anchor points ; Steps for access ; guard rails) Keep the basket clear from debris. This will make it much easier to detect any damage.
• Decals and signage : check that the device labels are present and visible. These are present to advise you and other operators on the safest use of the machine. We supply a QR code directly onto our aerial platforms. It provides a direct link to our training videos describing all procedures you need to know to work in safe conditions (all the emergency operation, the control panel use…). Those processes will be useful if you haven’t used the platform for a short time.

Do not hesitate to report any fault or failure to your Management or a trained specialist. If you continue to use access equipment when there are faults, it could be very unsafe.

Functional checks

This part aims to test the use of ground controls as well as platform controls.

The tests make sure the device is functioning properly, the movements are carried out properly, smoothly and at the speeds defined by CPL, depending on the position of the platform. This test consists of verifying the controls, the safety devices (load limiter, tilt warning device, emergency stop), the brakes, the steering, the lights to indicate a warning…

This checklist before using an aerial lift platform is to be used in accordance with the prerogatives of the manufacturer which can be found in the user manual delivered with the vehicle. Take care to keep it and do not hesitate to contact us if you have any problem with your platform. We can source you a manual or a maintenance regime. We also recommend you read our article on the 10 safety precautions to know before using a boom lift. You will then know all about the precautions to take before starting your work at height.