Evaluation of Two Proximity Warning Devices on a Mobile Elevating Work Platform

Scott Raszeja

doi:10.51501/jotnafe.v39i2.814

Authors

Scott Raszeja AEI Inc. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6886-8813

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51501/jotnafe.v39i2.814

Keywords:

Powerline, Proximity, Warning, Device, overhead, contact, mobile elevating work platform, lift, OSHA, safety, forensic engineering

Abstract

Contact between a mobile elevating work platform (MEWP) and an energized overhead powerline (OHPL) is a warned-against event that is associated with damage to property as well as injury or death. The objective of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of two different proximity warning devices (PWDs) installed on an MEWP operated near OHPLs. The general procedure used was to rotate the MEWP work platform horizontally away from, then toward, the OHPL from each side of the MEWP (at various platform heights), noting the distance between the MEWP and the OHPL when an alarm occurred. PWD2 allowed violation of the simulated OSHA boundary on 74.3% of the total rotations without initiating a warning alarm and was too sensitive to be practical as a startup alarm system. PWD1 did not allow operation of the MEWP within 20 feet of the actual OSHA minimum approach distance. The results of the startup test for PWD1 were no-where near consistent.

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