Elevated work platforms play a major role in working at height. They have become one of the most effective solutions for accessing hard-to-reach areas in recent years. To achieve this, they must be operated with care. For operators, each boarding should come with responsibilities. Beyond mere usage, a pre-use inspection is essential. But why is this step so crucial for the operator themselves?
The Operator and Safety
The pre-use inspection directly protects the operator. Indeed, spotting a defect can help prevent an imminent risk. Detecting an anomaly in the limiting system, for example, can save the operator from a fall. The National Institute for Research and Safety (INRS) encourages this prevention as essential for the user's safety. A reliable platform ensures that the operator can work at height safely. Components that may appear lightly worn may seem operational but, in degraded conditions, can fail and lead to accidents that unfortunately are all too common. Furthermore, these checks must be systematic to avoid workplace accidents, unexpected shutdowns, disputes, and compensation claims for the employer whose liability is at stake.
The Consequences of Neglect
When the operator neglects the inspection, they expose themselves to potentially catastrophic consequences for their health, and even their life, as well as for the equipment. A worn safety harness, for instance, might not properly restrain the operator in the event that the platform is stuck. As the Professional Building and Public Works Prevention Organization (OPPBTP) indicates, many injuries could be avoided with more frequent pre-use inspections. For the elevated work platform operator, the pre-use inspection is not just an administrative task; it is a guarantee, a mark of safety, and confidence in their equipment. The recommendations of INRS, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and OPPBTP all converge on this central point: for the operator, it is always better to check than to regret.
