Powered Platform Safety
Session Objectives
You will be able to:
Identify powered platform components
Recognize platform safety features
Understand inspection requirements
Use personal fall arrest systems properly
Follow safe work practices
Act effectively in an emergency
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Building Owner
Certification
• Equipment must
meet OSHA design
safety criteria
• Equipment must be
tested, inspected,
and maintained
• Equipment must be
certified by owner
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Suspension Systems
• Transportable
outriggers
• Davits, groundor roof-rigged
systems
• Carriages for
horizontal
movement
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Stabilization Systems
• Continuous
• Intermittent
• Button guided
• Angled roping
• Alternative
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Hoisting Machines
Hoisting machines must:
• Have a primary brake
• Have a secondary or emergency brake
• Be able to handle 125% of rated load
• Be able to stop overspeed descent
• Have moving parts and pinch points
guarded
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Platform Installation
Requirements:
• Safe access for equipment maintenance
• Protective perimeter guardrail
• Dedicated, separate electrical power
• Lockable power disconnect switch
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Load Capacity Design
• Capable of 4 times maximum load
• Hold 250 pounds per platform occupant
• Withstand 50 mph winds
• Connections able to handle vibration
• Load rating plate visible
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Platform Safety Features
• 2 feet wide
• Slip-resistant floors
• Fire extinguisher
• Tool and material
storage
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Platform Safety Features
(cont.)
• Operating controls
on platform
• Maximum rated
speeds
• Safety access ways
• Vertical lifelines
for each occupant
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Guardrails
• Working platforms
• Roofs and
access ways
• Top rails
• Midrails
• Toe board
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Safety Features: Multiple Choice
1. What information is on
the load rating plate?
a. Manufacturer information
b. Load limit
c. Type of fuel used
2. Where are the emergency
stops located?
a. At either end of
the platform
b. Floor of platform
c. On the rails
3. How many vertical
lifelines must be
provided on a platform?
a. Maximum of four
b. One for each worker
on the platform
c. At least two
Safety Features
Do you understand:
• Suspension and
stabilization systems?
• Hoisting machines?
• Platform installations?
• Load capacity and
design?
• Platform safety
features?
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Equipment Inspections
• Inspection by a competent person
• Daily visual inspection
• Monthly maintenance and wire rope inspection
• Thorough annual inspection
• Inspection of system after any incident
• Certified records
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Annual Inspections
• Building support
structures
• All platform
components
• Hoist control systems
• Parts subject to wear
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Wire Suspension
Rope Inspections
• Distortion,
such as kinks
• Evidence of
heat damage
• Deterioration
from corrosion
• Noticeable
rusting or pitting
• More than one
broken wire
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Daily Inspections
• Learn to identify key
•
•
•
•
•
safety elements
Report any damage
Inspect governors and
secondary brakes
Perform a hoist test
Test controls and
emergency stops
Look for visible defects
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Personal Fall
Arrest Systems
• Wear when on or
around powered
platforms
• Attach lanyard to
center of back
• Use one lifeline
per worker
• Properly tie off
• Check potential fall path
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Personal Fall
Arrest Systems (cont.)
• Protect lanyards
•
•
•
•
from damage
Inspect daily
Do not use
defective equipment
Know how to use
your personal fall
arrest system
Understand rescue
procedures
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Safe Work Practices
DON’T
DO
Overload platforms
Protect platforms
from corrosives or
heat-producing
processes
Work on platform
with a slippery floor
Carry flammable
liquids on platforms
Operate platform
in bad weather
Safe Work Practices (cont.)
• Mount a wind-measuring anemometer
to platform
• Don’t let tools, materials, debris accumulate
• Keep stabilizer ties untangled
• Maintain voice communication
• Lock power disconnect “on”
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Emergency Plans
• Written plan and
employee training
• Emergency electrical
operating device
• Rescue operations
• Communications
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Emergency Plans (cont.)
• Emergency alarms
• Emergency
escape routes
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Safety Procedures:
True or False?
Platforms need only be inspected
once a year.
You shouldn’t work on a platform with
a slippery floor.
It’s safe to carry flammable liquids on platforms
if there’s a fire extinguisher.
You should maintain voice communication
with someone in the building while working
on a powered platform.
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Safety Procedures
Do you understand:
• Inspection requirements
and procedures?
• Proper use of personal
fall arrest systems?
• Safe work practices?
• Emergency procedures?
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Key Points to Remember
Learn about powered platform hazards
and safety features
Inspect equipment before each use
Follow safe work practices
Use the personal fall arrest system
Learn emergency procedures
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