How safe is AWP?

Highlighting safety features and tips to operate AWP for maintenance

India is investing more on developing infrastructure; the more investment the more is needed to maintain the same. Be it airports, huge vertical structures, corporate parks etc, they all need high level of maintenance and to ensure its maintenance Aerial Work Platform (AWP) is used on larger basis. It is considered as one of the safest mode to work at heights. AWP is an essential equipment to provide access for people to inaccessible areas. It is also designed to lift limited weight. AWP is majorly used for window-cleaning and other maintenance and operations of glass doors and windows.

Apart from its features and use, it is important to know how safe is it while operating AWP for maintening huge structures. On this note, experts will share their opinion on safety tips to operate AWP.

Intelligent safety features in AWP
Nido Machineries Pvt. Ltd has wide range of AWPs for work at height. Products sold under Nido brand are manufactured in partnership with reputed OEMs that follow stringent quality specifications and use branded core components as a standard. All Nido aerial work platforms are CE certified.

Briefing on the safety features about Nidos AWP Nirav Doshi, Managing Director, Nido Machineries Pvt. Ltd says, Our AWPs are the safest equipment for work at height. Safety is our priority and we always try to put our best effort to make the workplace safer. We deploy lots of safety stickers to alarm the operator during any kind of emergency situation. We also conduct regular training programs to make the operators aware about the safe operation of the machine.

Some of the intelligent features Nidos AWPs are, it has battery charge indicator, levelling indicator, safety brackets. The equipment also has extended stop button, emergency lowering system. To provide more safety to the operator Nidos AWPs also has removable fence system, pulling device (Battery Operated Pedestrian controlled)etc.
Following are some additional features which Nidos AWPs have:



• Most rigid aluminium alloy profile



• Auxiliary platform lowering



• Multi-guide pulley on mast



• Durable base system



• Chassis with level gauge



• Easily rolls through a narrow space



• Over load protection



• Built-in pressure release valve



• Dual activated up/down switch



• Locking key switch



• Optional extended platform



• Entry ladder.

Below are the set of standard safety features that one would find on Haulotte India Pvt Ltds machine which conform to the CE EN280 standards for safety requirements for AWPs.








 Once the operator brings the machine to the normal operating environment all these features reset themselves as per design.

Informing on additional safety Souma Ray, Director, Haulotte India Pvt Ltd says, Anti Entrapment System from operators on platform know as Active Shield Bar (ASB), patented by us. This is a secondary guarding system for the machines which activates when the operator is trapped in a crushing situation. Once activated the machine will stop upward and forward movement, thus allowing the operator to retrieve himself from the entrapped situation by lowering and reversing the machine. Once the situation has been averted the system can easily be reset from the platform itself by pressing a button and it is ready for use again.

Safety tips on operating AWP for maintenance
AWPs are used extensively across the world for working safely at heights. Unfortunately, in India the safety standards and awareness related to working at heights is lacking far behind the world standards. However, over the past few years the awareness has been growing steadily which is a very encouraging sign for the AWP Industry. Good quality machines which incorporate the best safety systems, proper operator training towards operation and maintenance of machines will go a long way in giving better productivity. Although India has been lagging behind the developed world where use of AWPs is mandatory when working at heights, I am sure we shall have similar legislations in India too in the near future. With the pace at which the Indian Economy is growing, that day is not far away. This shall certainly be the turning point for the AWP industry in India as there would be a major upswing in requirements of AWP across the country, briefs Ray.

According to Doshi following are some of the safety tips on operating AWP for maintenance;
Platform height and horizontal reach: Access equipment with proper height and reach will help you to reach the work area without any sort of hassle. Battery powered telescoping booms are the ideal choice for construction applications where maximum height and outreach are required.

Quality of the equipment: A good quality machine can help you to get optimum result with virtually eliminating all types of accidental injuries. Make sure that the platform has adequate working area to accommodate the weight of the operator as well as other supplies.

Working conditions: Buyers should always consider whether they will be using the access equipment for indoor or outdoor activities. Slopes, obstructions, poor ground condition, traffic and noise can determine the choice of equipment.

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