A cherry picker is a piece of work equipment that uses a hydraulic lifting system to raise a platform or bucket to a variable height so that workers can access something that is beyond their reach and is not practically or safely reached by a ladder. Often cherry pickers are mounted on the back of a large truck or other type of vehicle, or sometimes they operate from their own self-moving platform. The bucket is large enough for a person to stand and work within, and the worker is often able to manipulate the controls of the machine from within the bucket in order to specifically position themselves. The lifting arm can telescope up and down to reach the desired height.
Cherry pickers can be dangerous if not used correctly, so it is very important to be knowledgeable about the proper safety procedures before using one. According to the Health and Safety Commission, the most common cause of death at work, and the second most common cause of serious injury, is a fall from a height.
Know what you are doing
Cherry pickers and other hydraulic lifts such as spider lifts should be used by trained operators. Make sure you know the correct procedures yourself, or you are working with someone who does. If you need a cherry picker for your own personal use and you don't have the correct training, it is a good idea to hire a trained operator to do it for you rather than do it yourself. Improper use due to ignorance of how to operate the machinery makes an accident much more likely.
Secure Yourself Well
Wear a full body harness, which attaches to the cherry picker via a lanyard with a shock absorber. If for some unfortunate reason you end up falling out of the bucket, this might save your life.
Check the Area
Always survey the area in which you are operating the equipment for hazards before you begin. Watch out for uneven ground conditions, obstacles, other vehicles, or anything that could put your safety at risk.
Go Slow and Carefully
A harness and lanyard still won't save you if your cherry picker tips over due to crashing, so use caution and move at very slow speeds when the bucket arm is extended. Be extra careful when turning and watch out for obstacles and other vehicles.
Know the Safety Features
Cherry pickers have many safety features to decrease the risk of injury resulting from their use. The safety features include outriggers, which are extendable supports to improve stability. Safety arms extending from the base of the platform prevent the machine from tipping. A warning light or alarm will let you know if you are off balance, and some will even shut off automatically if they sense unsafe conditions such as high winds or unsafe ground. All cherry pickers also have an emergency descent valve in the event that the picker loses power while the bucket is extended and you need to manually lower yourself down.
If you keep these safety tips in mind, you should have no problem operating your cherry picker for whatever purpose it is needed.
Cherrypickers from ranger-group.co.uk