15.05.2012

Lucky escape for boom lift operator

A 21 year old man operating a boom lift at a site in near Oslo airport in Norway yesterday, was thrown from the platform, but escaped with minor injuries.

The boom lift had, we understand become stuck on soft ground on the edge of an excavation at the site of the new 8,000 square metre Saga Senter project in Jessheim, Norway.
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The ambulance crew took the man to hospital but he was released following treatment

The operator was trying to get the machine ‘unstuck’ and had slewed the platform over the side with the counterweight pointing in the direction of the excavation, the platform was actually close to the ground, when one side of the lift slipped and dropped into the excavation causing a massive catapult effect in the platform.

The man was clearly not wearing a harness and lanyard and was ejected. He apparently landed on a fence, which may well have saved his life, he escaped with an injury to his left leg and a damaged right knee.

The contractor Øyvind Ødemark i ØM Fjeld said that the Labour Inspectorate has been notified of the incident and that the company has instigated an investigation into exactly what happened.

Vertikal Comment

After all the warnings and publicity it is ridiculous that operators on large commercial projects persist in operating boom lifts without using a harness and short lanyard. This man was exceptionally lucky and obviously in good health, otherwise the story could have been completely different.

Rental companies and distributors need to remain vigilant on this subject and keep reminding users that harness and lanyards should always be worn.