When operating a man basket, one can safely be lifted into any elevated area without the use of a lift or a ladder. This can save company time and money, not to mention the worker is far less likely to fall with this piece of equipment. Needless to say, man baskets can be vital to a project and to your personnel safety. At first it may not appear to be a piece of safety equipment that's interesting, but that's merely because you haven't heard these four facts about man baskets.
Rental increases security
When you rent a man basket, you're renting your own safety. Man baskets made available for rental have been inspected before lease to ascertain whether the man basket has been damaged or needs repairs. Also, a rented man basket is tested to five times its capacity to ensure it can bear the weight of its intended worker and his or her tools.
Moreover, man baskets will one day require maintenance, wear out or break down. It's just a matter of when and where. Something to consider would be whether you have the specialized labor or testing equipment you'd need to repair the man basket in the event it is damaged or breaks down completely. Renting affords you the option of reducing liability so you would not be forced to repair a broken man basket yourself.
Meeting OSHA regulations
According to OSHA CFR Part 1926. 1431, any man basket must be designed by a certified engineer, because man baskets need to support the weight of the worker and five times the weight of the maximum intended load. Both of these weight loads must be marked clearly on the basket itself. Man baskets also must be equipped with a guard rail that encompasses the entire rim of the basket. The rail's height should be solid to mid-rail in order to prevent personnel falls and tools from falling on anyone below the basket. The basket's access gates must be open toward the inside of the basket and must have safety latches that will keep the gate from opening. The basket's design should provide enough headroom as well.
Sizes/types
There are over 50 types of man baskets available in various sizes, capacities and features. In fact, there are even more since many man baskets can be custom designed according to your specifications. One company currently manufactures a model known as R-301, for which the working load limit is 300 pounds or equivalent to one person. This model also has a one-half square tube design with sides enclosed with expanded metal to the intermediate rail. There's also the SEC2- 600, which is designed, built and certified in full compliance with OSHA CFR Part 1926. 550(g). It's also patented with easy-on/ easy-off detachable test weight and has fourleg dedicated sling assembly. The reason why there are so many man baskets available on the market is so manufacturers can accompany one or more persons of varying weight, height, tools and equipment, if applicable to the type of job they have.
Safety tips
In order to facilitate successful use of a man basket, OSHA provides some safety tips that should be followed to ensure personnel safety [75 FR 48159, Aug. 9, 2010]:
"The system used to connect the personnel platform to the equipment must allow the platform to remain within 10 degrees of level, regardless of boom angle. Be equipped with a device that prevents accidental opening. Headroom must be sufficient to allow employees to stand upright in the platform. In addition to the use of hard hats, employees must be protected by overhead protection on the personnel platform when employees are exposed to falling objects. The platform overhead protection must not obscure the view of the operator or platform occupants (such as wire mesh that has up to one-inch openings), unless full protection is necessary. All edges exposed to employee contact must be smooth enough to prevent injury. Personnel platforms must be used only for employees, their tools and the materials necessary to do their work. Platforms must not be used to hoist materials or tools when not hoisting personnel."
More information on OSHA rules and regulations regarding man baskets can be found at www.osha.gov.
For more information, visit www.lghusa. com/bic or call (800) 878-7305.
