FOR YOUR SAFETY Regardless of which aerial li is used on the job, it is imperative to follow safety standards for MEWPs to ensure aerial li operations are conducted safely, as per American National Standards In- stitute (ANSI) and Occupational Safe- ty and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines. ANSI Z133 ANSI Z133 is a safety standard focus- ing on tree care operations. Section 5 and Section 5.2 cover various aspects of aerial li operation such as pre- and post-trip inspection, equipment specifi- cations, hazard recognition, safe work practices, and emergency procedures. ANSI A92.2 & A92.5 Part of the ANSI A92 series , ANSI A92.2: Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices and ANSI A92.5: Boom-Supported Ele- vating Work Platforms are standards for design, inspection, maintenance, operation, and training requisites for specific MEWPs . Ensure your equipment is up-to-date with the newest standards, like ANSI A92.22 and A92.24, to meet current safety and operational requirements. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATES For many professionals, aerial lis are intuitive and easy to work with. Howev- er, no one should use them without the proper certificates and training. “I would compare this to a driver’s license,” Messina explained. “Anybody can teach themselves how to drive a car. But not having a license is a prob- lem when you’re involved in an acci- dent or get pulled over by the police.” Without the necessary certificates, a tree care worker simply cannot operate an aerial li. “If an OSHA inspector shows up and you or one of your crew members fails
Uneven or rough terrain necessitates a lift with tracks, stabilizers, or outriggers to maintain balance.
ity are also crucial, especially in areas with obstacles or dense tree cover.
Budget and Cost Analysis Carefully evaluating the total cost of ownership versus renting is crucial. Considering operational expenses in relation to capital and assets also plays a pivotal role in making cost-effective decisions. For instance, purchasing a new li can offer advanced features, enhanced durability, and reduced long-term maintenance costs, but requires a high- er capital investment. Conversely, opting to rent a li may save money upfront, but might lead to higher borrowing and transportation expenditures over time. According to Wissmuller, you can’t go wrong with the try-before-buy method before making such a big purchase. “It’s the same as test-driving a car. You want to know precisely what it is you want and be really confident in your purchase,” he stated. “This is a large, relatively expensive piece of equipment. Know what capital you have to work with and other con- siderations before pulling the trigger on a big-ticket item.”
Terrain Uneven or rough terrain necessitates a li with tracks, stabilizers, or outriggers to maintain balance. Even if a li has these features, though, your crew will still need to set up the equipment properly. “Each individual outrigger footpad has to be level,” Messina noted. So ground is also not ideal for any ae- rial li operations, as the machine can get stuck, sink, or tip over. “Don’t take the machine anywhere without walking your route first,” Messina continued. “If the ground is so, it shouldn’t have an aerial li on it at all.” That said, just because a li does not work for the site one day does not mean you should change equipment just yet. “Even if a li is the correct one for the job, it may not be the correct day to work because the ground is not ready,” he concluded.
20 | ArborTIMES Fall 2024
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