Powered Platform Safety

Session Objectives

• You will be able to:

Identify powered platform components

Recognize platform safety features

Understand inspection requirements

Use personal fall arrest systems properly

Follow safe work practices

Act effectively in an emergency

Building Owner Certification

– Equipment must

meet OSHA design

safety criteria

– Equipment must be

tested, inspected,

and maintained

– Equipment must be

certified by owner

Suspension Systems

– Transportable

outriggers

– Davits, ground-

or roof-rigged

systems

– Carriages for

horizontal

movement

Stabilization Systems

– Continuous

– Intermittent

– Button guided

– Angled roping

– Alternative

Hoisting Machines

• Hoisting machines must:

– Have a primary brake

– Have a secondary or emergency brake

– Be able to handle 125% of rated load

– Be able to stop overspeed descent

– Have moving parts and pinch points guarded

Platform Installation

• Requirements:

– Safe access for equipment maintenance

– Protective perimeter guardrail

– Dedicated, separate electrical power

– Lockable power disconnect switch

Load Capacity Design

– Capable of 4 times maximum load

– Hold 250 pounds per platform occupant

– Withstand 50 mph winds

– Connections able to handle vibration

– Load rating plate visible

Platform Safety Features

– 2 feet wide

– Slip-resistant floors

– Fire extinguisher

– Tool and material

storage

Platform Safety Features (cont.)

– Operating controls

on platform

– Maximum rated

speeds

– Safety access ways

– Vertical lifelines

for each occupant

Guardrails

– Working platforms

– Roofs and

access ways

– Top rails

– Midrails

– Toe board

• 1. What information is on

the load rating plate?

• 2. Where are the

emergency stops located?

• 3. How many vertical

lifelines must be

provided on a platform?

a. Manufacturer information

b. Load limit

c. Type of fuel used

b. Floor of platform

c. On the rails

a. At either end of the platform

a. Maximum of four

b. One for each workeron the platform

c. At least two

Safety Features: Multiple Choice

Safety Features

• Do you understand:

– Suspension and

stabilization systems?

– Hoisting machines?

– Platform installations?

– Load capacity and

design?

– Platform safety

features?

Equipment Inspections

– Inspection by a competent person

• Daily visual inspection

• Monthly maintenance and wire rope inspection

• Thorough annual inspection

• Inspection of system after any incident

– Certified records

Annual Inspections

– Building support

structures

– All platform

components

– Hoist control systems

– Parts subject to wear

Wire Suspension Rope Inspections

– Distortion,

such as kinks

– Evidence of

heat damage

– Deterioration

from corrosion

– Noticeable

rusting or pitting

– More than one

broken wire

Daily Inspections

– Learn to identify key

safety elements

– Report any damage

– Inspect governors and

secondary brakes

– Perform a hoist test

– Test controls and

emergency stops

– Look for visible defects

Personal Fall Arrest Systems

– Wear when on or

around powered

platforms

– Attach lanyard to

center of back

– Use one lifeline

per worker

– Properly tie off

– Check potential fall

path

Personal Fall Arrest Systems (cont.)

– Protect lanyards

from damage

– Inspect daily

– Do not use

defective

equipment

– Know how to use

your personal fall

arrest system

– Understand rescue

procedures

• Overload platforms

• Work on platform

with a slippery floor

• Carry flammable

liquids on platforms

• Operate platform

in bad weather

DON’T DO

Protect platforms from

corrosives or heat-

producing processes

Safe Work Practices

Safe Work Practices (cont.)

– Mount a wind-measuring anemometer

to platform

– Don’t let tools, materials, debris accumulate

– Keep stabilizer ties untangled

– Maintain voice communication

– Lock power disconnect “on”

Emergency Plans

– Written plan and

employee training

– Emergency

electrical operating

device

– Rescue operations

– Communications

Emergency Plans (cont.)

– Emergency alarms

– Emergency

escape routes

Safety Procedures:

True or False?

• Platforms need only be inspected

once a year.

• You shouldn’t work on a platform with

a slippery floor.

• It’s safe to carry flammable liquids on

platforms if there’s a fire extinguisher.

• You should maintain voice communication

with someone in the building while working

on a powered platform.

Safety Procedures

• Do you understand:

– Inspection requirements

and procedures?

– Proper use of personal

fall arrest systems?

– Safe work practices?

– Emergency procedures?

• Learn about powered platform hazards

and safety features

• Inspect equipment before each use

• Follow safe work practices

• Use the personal fall arrest system

• Learn emergency procedures

Questions

Acknowledgement

I ___________________________________, have completed the Powered Platform Safety training.

(Print Name)

Date: ________________

Please print the acknowledgement sheet, fill in requested information and deliver to Facilities

administrative office.