Here at The Brothers that just do Gutters, safety is extremely important to us. All operations are conducted to avoid damaging property and/or the environment, as well as, to protect our crew from injuries. Safety regulations are a large part of our training process for our crew. As part of the required training, each of our installers must complete safety training courses to get OSHA 10 certified. As part of the OSHA 10 training, installers are taught how to properly and safely operate and use aerial lifts and safety harnesses, as well as properly use ladders, any machinery, fall protection, vehicle safety, and much more. This training is then strictly enforced in the field during job completion to protect our workers.
Benefits of OSHA 10 Certified
Aerial lifts are used for larger, usually commercial, jobs where ladders are unable to reach. Because of our training we are able to do these types of jobs. When operating an aerial lift, there are strict safety regulations that need to be followed to avoid injury and hazard. These regulations are outlined, demonstrated and taught to all our crew members, who are expected to use aerial lifts, during their OSHA 10 certification training.
Here are some quick pointers provided by OSHA about aerial lift safety:
- Make sure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.
- Maintain and operate elevating work platforms per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
- Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.
- Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Movement of the lift could crush the worker(s).
- Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet, or 3 meters, away from the nearest energized overhead lines.
- Always treat power lines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.
- Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.
- Set the brakes and use wheel chocks when on an incline.
- Use outriggers, if provided.
- Do not exceed the load limits of the equipment. Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools and materials.
Training and education helps to make sure workplace practices are conducted safely and properly with a strong focus on injury and illness prevention programs. This helps to find, and fix workplace hazards before workers get hurt. Our workers’ safety is of large importance to us, and we take OSHA restrictions, and situations that could potentially cause harm to any of our installers as well as other people, and property, very seriously, making sure to conduct each job within these regulations.
