Monday, October 15, 2012

Worldwide AWP Accident Report

AWPT recently released third-quarter information about worldwide accidents on AWPs.

Between July-August 2012, there were six accidents that resulted in seven fatalities, bringing the 2012 total to 26 fatalities.  All of the third quarter accidents were with category 3b (mobile boom) machines.  The majority of the deaths occur in the United States.

Without strict requirements for what constitutes “appropriate training,” the United States cannot hope to lessen the number of fatalities due to AWPs.  Until the industry truly adopts a “safety first” approach to work, where training investments of both time and money are not shied away from, accidents due to operator error will continue.  With an estimated 85-88% of accidents occurring due to operator error, the necessity for clear, regulated training is obvious.

Are you appropriately trained to operate aerial lifts?  Are your employees?  Refer to the industry’s Best Practices guide on the topic.  Hopefully with more people receiving appropriate training, the number of fatalities due to AWP accidents will decrease.

3 comments:

  1. safety is first in work place.. there should be hospital faculty in every working place... all needed precaution should be taken to work in lift.. thanks for post.. by Scissor Lift Rental .

    ReplyDelete
  2. These are interesting statistics. I have often wondered about what happens on an aerial lift. I think it would be great to get one for our company. I just need to make sure we are following proper safety techniques.

    Aaron | http://liftaloft.com/industries/custom-aerial-lifts/

    ReplyDelete
  3. Agreed that there needs to be a strict training in order to operate one of these lifts. To many accidents happen because those operating them are "trained" in operation safety. If there was a standardized training course for aerial lifts then I think a lot of these unnecessary accidents might not happen at all. http://www.powerequipmentleasing.com

    ReplyDelete