Most of you have seen professionals working on aerial work platforms, scaffolds and lifts. Did you know that you need specific training to be hired at these locations, or to be considered among one of their crews? Canada has a huge demand for workers who can work on different aerial work platforms.
To help prepare for these positions it’s encouraged that they (and others like yourself) take Online Aerial Work Platform Course to get adequate knowledge and expertise before applying for these relevant and in-demand jobs. If you are considering taking this training, or embarking on a career that involves Aerial Platforms here are some of the popular platforms you may find yourself on:
Boom Lift: Boom lift is often known as ‘the Spider’ as it resembles a spider with four legs. Primarily, the boom lift was invented to uplift the person to reach the fruits easily. However, after significant technological improvements it has become a standardized lift platform to work with overhead lines, trees, or handling incidents like fire.
The boom lift includes a basket attached to its end where the crew member stands. The machine then lifts this portion to increasingly higher heights, making workplace tasks safer and more approachable. The vehicle is made to work in uneven terrain, which makes it all-weather ready.
Articulated Boom Lifts: They are also known as ‘Knuckle Lifts’ that include folded arms that extend to take the basket at a height carrying the crew member. The structure of an articulated boom lift is similar to a human arm that extends to reach any item/material and get it back in your hands.
These lifts are commonly used for maintenance purposes like street lights, building repair/maintenance, etc. These lifts are used more often as it makes it easier to reach complex heights which aren’t feasible with other lift platforms. This type of Boom is also used in uneven terrain.
Telescopic Boom Lifts: The telescopic boom lifts have a single arm that sits on a movable turntable. The telescoping arm extends to the maximum reach capacity, giving better reach to the crew worker and completing the task at any height. The best part of telescopic boom lifts is that it doesn’t create obstruction as the arm extends at a single angle.
Curved or bent arm in articulated boom lifts creates complexity in design and covers significant areas for proper lift control. Eclectic repair, window washing, and other maintenance tasks are usually performed using telescopic boom lifts.
Scissor Lifts: Scissor lifts have criss-cross connections that take the basket straight upside. It means these lifts only move vertically. The lift moves upward with exerted pressure on the cross patterns. These lifts include a bigger basket that gives better exposure to the items at height, covering more area.
However, its vertical movement limits it for extended uses. Yet it is highly used for operations like street light repair, banner installation, and window washing where you only require vertical movement.
Aerial Work Platforms are becoming more popular!
Today, technology has covered the entire globe under its blanket, requiring advanced machines to perform repair and maintenance operations daily. Aerial platforms are one of those machines that make it possible to ensure the timely maintenance and repair of items installed at height.
Workers who work at heights and aerial platforms also get added benefit of amazing views few others will see in their lifetime. With increasingly better safety standards it makes these types of environments and careers incredibly fulfilling!