02.02.2017

New secondary guard from Genie

Genie has announced a new secondary guarding system for boom lifts that will be available as standard equipment or for a quick and easy retrofit.

The new ‘Lift Guard’ Contact Alarm system features an activation cable connected to each side of the protection rails around the platform control panel and running above the front edge of the control box. When working normally the operator places his hands/arms under the cable and operates the machine. However if pressure is applied to the cable while the foot pedal and a function are deployed, it will immediately stop all functions and activate an alarm system , which includes an alarm sounding and beacon flashing, notifying those in the proximity of the machine that the operator may require assistance.
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The new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system

The system is only functional when the footswitch is depressed it is reset by simply clicking the activation cable back into place; there is no need to restart the engine or cycle the emergency stop button to resume normal functionality. During an emergency the machine can be operated from the ground, if necessary.
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A closer look

The Lift Guard Contact Alarm system is available as standard from the factory or as an aftermarket kit, which can apparently be installed in less than 30 minutes with only a few fasteners and electrical harness connectors. It fits Genie Z- and S-boom platforms and can be retrofitted on units as far back as 2003. It is not yet available on the Z-33/18 self-propelled, mast booms or trailer mounted lifts.
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The Lift Guard can be retrofitted to most Genie booms under 13 years old in around 30 minutes

Product manager Marie Engstrom said: “Genie protective solutions continue to evolve. Operator safety is a paramount concern for Genie, and we have developed the new Lift Guard Contact Alarm, as part of the Genie line of secondary operator protection accessories, with this goal in mind. This new configuration is a significantly different design from its predecessor, the Genie Operator Protective Alarm .”

“We engineered it to be visible from the ground with its bright yellow colour. In the platform, it is as unobtrusive for the operator as possible. It is simple to use, and includes an additional free-movement zone between the cable and the control panel that may allow for operator mobility once the system is activated. Unlike other devices on the market, the Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system could reduce the risk of operators applying unintentional contact pressure on the boom’s control panel.”

The new system is already available on ANSI machines in North America and on European machines during the second quarter. Retrofit kits are expected mid year.

Vertikal Comment

This new design is actually quite similar to look at as the very first system developed by Blue Sky in 2007 the UK for Balfour Beatty. That particular one was not a success and raised immediate objections all round.
What Genie has done is to take the principle and engineer it into what looks to be a very workable and attractive solution.

It appears to be very simple, easily re-set and activates before crushing begins for many incident types. Obviously in a case where the platform moves up rapidly due to travel over rough ground with boom extended and obstacles overhead it will not help, only physical cages stand any chance in such situations – but this can be combined of course with Genie’s cage type protection - OPS.

We assume this replace the Lavendon Sky Siren system that Genie took a license on in 2014? See Genie licenses SkySiren The big question of course is how adjustable is that cable and how much will it stretch over time? This aside it looks to be a good solution that will help overcome objections in markets where commercial pressures are not present.