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The bucket truck (also known as a ‘cherry picker’) is a vehicle equipped with a bucket attached to one end of a hydraulic boom. It is used to lift workers and provide them a safe platform from which to work at certain heights. Because working with this particular truck means working from various heights; it is highly important to observe safety every time it is operated. Doing this should always include adhering to the safety guidelines for vehicle operations which would also include following proper vehicle maintenance. There are many accidents that could occur if a bucket truck is not properly used. According to one survey, the four most common accidents that involve these vehicles include: Tip-overs Falls Electrocutions Breakage of Booms These accidents can occur because of equipment malfunction, environmental factors and, in many cases, human error. To avoid these kinds of undesirable events, here are some of the important basic guidelines to follow when operating a bucket truck. Use safety gear and equipment – There are many safety features and equipment with this vehicle. Unfortunately, despite all those precautionary devices, one of the most common accidents involving bucket trucks is falls and electrocution. This too often occurs simply because the workers did not use the available features of the vehicle, didn’t use safety equipment, and/or ignored the limitations of the equipment being used. For workers operating at extended heights inside the bucket, the usage of all available safety equipment is simply mandatory. This would include wearing a hard hat and insulated gloves as well as attaching the safety line at all times. Utilizing these two simple things could help prevent two of the most common accidents with this vehicle, namely electrocution and falls. Do not load the truck beyond its capacity - The operator must always be aware of and observe the bucket’s load capacity. A single model can hold 300 to 350 pounds of material while a double model can hold as much as 750 pounds. If the bucket is overloaded, the boom could collapse and/or the entire vehicle could tip over. Follow a strict maintenance schedule – This truck is made of moving parts and almost all moving parts will eventually wear out. This applies to every part of the truck: from the engine to the suspension and brake systems and, most importantly, the hydraulic system that drives the truck’s boom. A break down on one of these components could be a potential source of an accident. For this reason, every part of the vehicle should be scheduled for maintenance and/or replacement after a certain number of miles. This will keep the truck as its best performance level, extend the serviceable life of it, and ensure it will be as safe as possible for the workers who are putting their lives on the line while working inside the bucket. Always have a safe operating area - Before operating the hydraulic boom, make sure that the area is free from any power lines in the work area to avoid the possibility of any contact with a live power line and possible electrocution concerns. Do not operate near anything that could obstruct the boom’s operation such as tree branches, lamp posts and buildings. Make sure that the vehicle is parked on an even surface before commencing operations. Finally, do not operate the truck during bad weather such as strong winds or any electrical storms. As simple and logical as these guidelines appear, they can be forgotten or not observed which could result in a serious accident with the vehicle and injury to a worker. Always follow these important instructions and show that you know how to be safe in a bucket truck! Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. Click here to find out more about a Bucket Truck.
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