Safety Tips for Using Boom, Bucket, Crane, and Digger Derrick Trucks

Boom trucks, bucket trucks, crane trucks, and digger derrick trucks are utilized in a multitude of businesses and can be found on the side of our streets all the time.  If you have ever driven down the street and stopped to watch as the electric company or telephone companies utilize one of these trucks, you would see a worker being airlifted up into the sky in the bucket.  This truck is a bucket truck.  Many individuals are not aware that this is what the vehicle that they use is.  The main use of a bucket truck is to raise and lower a worker from a place that is way too high for a regular ladder to be used.

These vehicles can be bought in various shapes and sizes and is created to make the work easier for those individuals that use them.  Bucket trucks can be used for various reasons, but the most popular is for use with telephone poles or power lines.  By the workers using this type of vehicle, they are able to finish their work in a more efficient and safe manner.

The creation of this type of vehicle includes a bin for storage that helps to store tools or materials that may be needed by the worker in the bucket.  Some models are also equipped with a double-arm boom or what is called a hydraulic outrigger jack.  This helps to provide an extra degree of stability.  Other models may be equipped with a separate engine that powers the bucket, while others use the engine of the truck to do this.

Any large piece of equipment must be handled by the proper guidelines.  This does not mean that a bucket truck is hard to operate or not made well.  It is just that all vehicles need the respect and care so that accidents are minimized.  When the directions from the manufacturer are followed, a worker can see that they are more secure in knowing they will be safe while utilizing the equipment.  There are also OSHA guidelines that need to be followed when using a bucket truck.  Some of these rules are:

1. The vehicle should be utilized to raise workers to any job location that is above the ground.
2. The truck should be made of fiberglass, wood, metal, or reinforced plastic.
3. The modification of a bucket truck is allowed as long if a modification approval has been received in writing by the manufacturer.
4. This will include a safe distance away and making sure that qualified workers are the only ones to use the truck.
5. Brakes must be set BEFORE a worker can be raised within the bucket.
6. The truck should never be moved while a worker is in the bucket.
7. All controls must be clearly defined by what each one does.
8. Controls must be put to test each day BEFORE the truck is used.
9. The manufacturer’s guidelines must be followed regarding distribution and load.
10. This will include goggles, boots, hard hat, and gloves.
11. The worker must have their feet firm upon the bottom of the bucket at all times.
12. These lower controls are for emergencies only.

There are many more OSHA guidelines that must be followed as well.  When workers are trained in the proper ways to use the vehicle, it can give years of secure support.  Keep in mind that when the rules and regulations are followed correctly, the possibility of injury or death can be minimized greatly.

To make sure that your employees are trained correctly on the use of one of these bucket trucks, crane trucks, digger derrick trucks, or boom trucks, you can contact OSHA or I80 Equipment to get tapes to help train them the right way.  For more information, please visit www.i80equipment.com.

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