{"id":1934,"date":"2018-03-14T15:34:23","date_gmt":"2018-03-14T15:34:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.websitepreview.dev\/?p=1934"},"modified":"2021-03-17T11:32:26","modified_gmt":"2021-03-17T16:32:26","slug":"keep-your-department-secure-with-these-aerial-lift-safety-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jonsmidamerica.com\/keep-your-department-secure-with-these-aerial-lift-safety-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"Keep Your Department Secure With These Aerial Lift Safety Tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Aerial fire apparatus<\/span><\/a> are amazing, powerful tools for any fire department. Being able to reach new heights to fight fires or to rescue someone is an incredibly helpful asset. With this ability, however, comes danger if not handled properly. From falling off, electrocutions, falling objects, structural collapses and more, there are countless ways aerial platforms or ladders can cause serious injury or death.<\/span><\/p>\n

This doesn\u2019t have to be the case, though. Proper aerial lift safety ensures no one gets unnecessarily hurt on the job. <\/span><\/p>\n

Let\u2019s go over some ways to keep safe the next time you\u2019re on an aerial. <\/span><\/p>\n

Safety requirements <\/span><\/h2>\n

The National Fire Protection Association has set standards<\/span><\/a> that mandate ladder belts for anyone who is on an aerial. Ladder belts should be tethered to a sturdy part of the aerial any time the aerial is in motion or while entering or exiting a platform. Ladder belts can be no longer than 24 inches in order to prevent a user from falling far out of an aerial. Safety harnesses should also be utilized to keep users safer. <\/span><\/p>\n

Though ladder belts can prevent a catastrophic fall, they can\u2019t keep you safe indefinitely. Dangling from a safety harness for too long can lead to death due to loss of circulation. For this reason, never operate an aerial by yourself. Every time an aerial is in use there should be at least <\/i>two people to allow for proper rescues.<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Post: Fire Truck Pump Safety Precautions<\/a><\/p>\n

Prevention and inspection <\/span><\/p>\n

The famed phrase \u201can ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure\u201d rings incredibly true when it comes to aerial lift safety. Being able to prevent a disaster before it happens should be a goal for every department. <\/span><\/p>\n

In order to be able to detect a problem, anyone who uses an aerial ladder truck or aerial platform should know it inside and out. Departments should share manufacturer safety manuals <\/span><\/a>for aerials freely, and those who use the aerial should always be brushing up. Keep a brief safety manual in the apparatus itself in case of an emergency as well. <\/span><\/p>\n

Inspect your aerial before every use. When it comes to the case of life and death you can\u2019t be too careful. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration suggests<\/span><\/a> checking these components every time: <\/span><\/p>\n