Aerial Lift Essentials: Safety, Ownership, and Common Operator Concerns

Aerial lifts are indispensable tools across construction, maintenance, and industrial projects. They provide safe access to elevated work areas and improve efficiency in tasks that ladders or scaffolding cannot handle. However, operators and business owners often face recurring questions about safety, equipment use, and whether to rent or purchase these machines. Below, we explore five of the most common issues professionals raise when working with aerial lifts.

What Safety Measures Are Essential When Moving a Man Lift

One of the most frequent challenges involves relocating a man lift while in use. Even when the basket is raised only slightly, operators must follow strict safety procedures. Securing a safety harness to the designated anchor point is one of the first steps emphasized during professional training. This precaution ensures that if the lift jerks or encounters uneven ground, the operator remains protected.

Another critical aspect is ensuring the lift is moved only on stable, level surfaces. Operators should avoid moving equipment across slopes, obstacles, or soft ground without lowering the platform. These precautions may seem minor, but they prevent tip-overs and serious accidents.

What General Safety Tips Should Users Follow When Operating Aerial Lifts

Beyond moving the equipment, there are several general rules operators should adopt to maintain a safe work environment. High winds are a particular hazard; most lifts are not rated for use in winds above 28 miles per hour. Pre-operation inspections, including testing all controls and emergency systems, should be carried out at the start of every shift.

Operators should also remain inside the guardrails at all times, never standing on railings or using makeshift platforms to gain extra height. Maintaining awareness of the lift’s full footprint—including outriggers or swing radius—is equally important to prevent collisions or property damage.

Is It Worth Installing Theft-Prevention Devices on Aerial Lifts

Another growing concern is equipment theft. Aerial lifts are valuable assets, and businesses are increasingly asking whether to add security measures. Options range from simple mechanical locks to electronic access controls and GPS tracking systems.

While theft prevention may not always be standard, companies working on unsecured job sites or storing equipment outdoors overnight often find additional protection worthwhile. By preventing unauthorized use, these devices not only safeguard equipment but also reduce liability risks.

Should Small Businesses Buy Lifts or Continue Renting Them

For small and medium-sized contractors, the decision between renting and owning aerial lifts is a major financial consideration. Renting provides predictable costs, eliminates long-term maintenance responsibilities, and allows access to different types of lifts as needed. This flexibility is particularly attractive to companies with varying workloads.

Ownership, however, becomes cost-effective for businesses that use lifts regularly. Owning a lift avoids ongoing rental fees and provides immediate access whenever work arises. The tradeoff is that storage, routine maintenance, certification renewals, and potential repairs become the owner’s responsibility. For many businesses, starting with rentals and moving to ownership as demand grows is the most balanced strategy.

Why Does a Boom Lift Sometimes Show Weight-Limit Errors With Only One Operator

Operators are often puzzled when a boom lift displays a weight-limit warning even with only one person in the basket. This usually occurs when the boom is fully extended. The mechanics of leverage reduce the safe working load as the platform reaches further from its base. Even though the operator may weigh far less than the listed maximum capacity, the extended boom changes the distribution of forces and triggers the safety system.

The solution is to reposition the lift closer to the work area, reducing extension and restoring higher load capacity. This highlights why understanding the lift’s load chart is as important as knowing its maximum rated capacity.

Conclusion

Aerial lifts are powerful tools that greatly improve safety and efficiency, but they require careful handling and informed decision-making. From proper safety measures during movement, to theft prevention, to the financial choice between renting and owning, operators and business owners face multiple considerations. Even technical issues like overload warnings underline the importance of knowing how these machines are designed to function. By staying informed and following best practices, companies can maximize both safety and productivity when working at height.