08.08.2012
When is an overload a Death Wish?
A reader from the Middle East has sent us a contribution for the Death Wish series but is it?
Our correspondent says: “I have been following your death wish series for quite a while now and thought of sending you a picture which is in today’s news. This is from a site which is considered one of the role models when it comes to safety standards. Does this qualify for a death wish?”
“All the booms on site are certified for two people only in the basket. I have seen this happening on quite a few occasions in the UAE.”
Well this unit clearly has a maximum capacity of 227kg and based on CE regulations you should allow 80kg a person plus around 40kg for tools and accessories. Based on that three people need a capacity of 280kg.
Please register to see all images
Three men in the platform - is it an overload and is it a Death Wish?
While none of those in the platform look to be overweight with all their equipment on such as hard hats and harnesses they are likely to be very close to the 75kg that comes from dividing 227 by three.
But a Death Wish??? We think not quite but do agree that it’s odd that such a safe site has all three fully equipped with hats, boots coveralls and harnesses yet has not considered the platform capacity.
Tell us what you think
CanuckRigger
The basket capacity is just one problem. Float did well but has missed a couple also, look how close the wheels are to a unstable drop off at the back. Also appears the lift is being operated on a loose gravel fill ramp. The worker in the front of the basket is using two seperate lanyards in one D ring on his Miller ultra flex harness. I would disagree with the articles author, yes this is a death wish picture.
Homer
Well i have to agree with Float your load, So near yet so very far away from getting it right. All the gear and no idea !!!!!
Surely, if the platform capacity is exceeded, the machine, which looks like a Z80/60 would not elevate??
You can argue that it looks a safe site, and they all have PPE and harnesses, but look at the use of the platform hand rails as the harness connection points. A genie boom has 2 harness points and they are where the 45degree triangular connection points on the mid rail of the basket either side of the control console, you can clearly see one of thse connection points on the picture and it's not being used. Its one thing having the right harness and lanyard, knowing a safe point to connect it to is just as important !