The difference between a boring 20-minute mechanical delay and a fatal incident is simple: . Know your secondary lowering system. Know your site’s rescue contact. And never elevate alone without a ground spotter who knows how to call for help.
"Hanging" safely means staying connected from the moment you enter the basket until you’re back on solid ground. ewp hang
When an EWP is "hung" on a structure, the risks escalate rapidly: The difference between a boring 20-minute mechanical delay
This safety alert was issued specifically for Haulotte boom type EWPs manufactured in 2008, but the principle applies to all equipment. If you are operating or responsible for an elevating work platform, you must treat any unexpected behavior as a major fault. The Hong Kong Labour Department's systemic safety alert lists common failures leading to EWP accidents, including: And never elevate alone without a ground spotter
Block the operator’s view of the target structure. A spotter on the ground uses hand signals to guide the hang. This simulates working around opaque facades or ductwork.
Over time, the components responsible for keeping the basket level endure immense stress. Undetected micro-cracks in cast steel components can expand due to age, weather exposure, and repetitive load-bearing cycles. If pre-operation checks are rushed, these cracks remain invisible until the metal completely fractures under load. 2. Overloading and Over-Stacking Materials