18.07.2008

Boom tips near Seattle

A self propelled boom lift tipped over in South Whidbey, near Seattle, USA yesterday when the operators who were around six metres up, drove the lift over a “soft spot” causing at least one wheel to drop and the lift to tip.

The two construction workers in the lift suffered serious injuries from the fall. One man was airlifted to Seattle's Harborview Medical Center, the other to Whidbey General Hospital. Both had multiple traumatic injuries, according Fire District 3 deputy chief Jon Beck who was one of those called out to the accident.

Vertikal Comment

At this stage we do not have a great deal of detail on this accident, but it sounds like a classic case of driving a self propelled boom over ground that has not been checked over before.

Self propelled booms are very forgiving and when used properly are very safe, however like any other vehicle, or for that matter equipment of any kind, they cannot cope if the ground underneath their wheels gives way.

The usual cause of such a tip over is driving over a hidden hole that causes the wheel to drop far enough for the boom to go over. More often than not the boom will in fact remain upright, and even stable, but the resulting catapult effect throws the occupants out of the basket. Unless of course they are wearing a harness and short lanyard as they should.

Hopefully we will discover more details of this accident so that others may learn from the errors that these two men have made.