Top Powered Access Platform Issues and How to Avoid Them

Scissor lifts, boom lifts and cherry pickers are all types of powered access platforms that are each important tools within the construction and maintenance industries that require you to be working at height.

Our powered access platforms increase productivity levels with safety. However, they do come with their individual challenges. Understanding these common issues with powered access platforms and how these can prevent different factors such as financial issues and accidents as a whole. Throughout this blog, we will look into three issues and how they can be prevented.

Incorrect Load Handling

One of the first and most common issues we will be looking at is overloading the platform and incorrectly distributing weight. Each powered access platform, from scissor lifts to cherry pickers, has a specific load capacity, and if this is reached then it results in the lift tipping, causing equipment failure or potential safety risks for your employees. This issue is mainly common on sites with selected tools and workers on the platform at the same time.

In order for these issues to be prevented in the workplace, the maximum capacity must be checked before initial use to confirm what the total working weight of the lift is and whether this is suitable for your needs. Planning ahead is also another example of how you can prevent incorrect handling of powered access platforms. Knowing the weight of all of the items that will be used and workers who will be working on the platform before starting your workload, ensuring there is an even distribution of weight.

For you to resolve the issues of incorrect load handling of powered access platforms, it will be through the reduction of the load immediately and for you and your workers to inspect and correctly understand the machine you are working on before getting back to work.

Mechanical and Maintenance Neglect

A second common issue that occurs while working with powered access platforms is through mechanical and maintenance neglect. Just like any other piece of machinery, powered access platforms are known to experience mechanical failure if they are not maintained correctly. Common issues experienced by this include the following: hydraulic leaks, engine failure and the malfunction of controls, which can lead to further safety risks if they are not resolved.

In order for the mentioned common issues listed above to be prevented within the workplace, there will need to be regular maintenance checks which follow strict schedules, which can include checking the hydraulic systems, brakes and control systems before they are given out to customers or when machines haven’t been used in a certain period of time.. Another example of how the neglect of maintenance towards powered access platforms can be through taking out pre-use inspections to ensure there have been no visible leaks or further malfunctions.

To resolve the mechanical issues that do occur during use it is important to be aware as soon as possible and for your working to be stopped straight away to allow any damage and faulty parts to be fixed and then rechecked before using again.

Also, read our latest article on the difference between an electric and diesel scissor lift.

Power Supply and Battery Issues

The final common issue of powered access platforms that we will be looking into is the power supply and battery issues. Battery problems and electrical issues are particularly common with electric-powered access platforms. Problems like this are caused by undercharged batteries or faulty connections, which leave the platform to remain stuck in an unsafe position, increasing the duration of your work time.

There are many ways for you to conform and prevent these issues from taking place. This can be from charging batteries completely before use and for them to be inspected before official use in the workplace. Another way in which you can prevent issues from your powered access platforms can be by correctly following the charging guidelines, this can help you to avoid overcharging and undercharging the specific battery from, which especially reduces battery life and performance.

If a power failure occurs for the powered access platforms while in use, it is important to be aware of what a manual lowering system does, which can help you return safely to the ground or a backup power source. Before the next time it is used, it is important to repair the electrical battery to confirm this won’t happen again.

Powered access platforms are valuable tools when working at height, yet it is important to be aware of common access platform issues and how to prevent them in your workplace if needed. Through the correct planning and regular maintenance can help make your experience with powered access platforms a safer work environment.