New Platform Safety Campaign

A new safety campaign to encourage all users of boom-type platforms to wear a full-body harness with a short lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point has been launched by Aerial Work Platform Training (AWPT) in North America. The "Click It!" campaign has received the approval of the Scaffold Industry Association (SIA) and is similar to successful promotional campaigns encouraging people to wear their seatbelts when riding in a car.

The new program's initiative came from companies frustrated with the number of falling deaths from boom-type lifts simply because the person was not wearing a harness. To remind and encourage people to wear a harness, AWPT had that advice printed on stickers that can be placed on the boom lift, where all occupants in the platform can see it.

In addition, AWPT has made available a document titled "Technical Guidance Note AWPT H1" that provides information on their recommendation for the proper use of harnesses and lanyards on different types of aerial platforms.

Although the "Click It!" program was introduced officially in North America at the Saf-T Conference in Long Beach, Calif., on July 20, the program is already starting to gain momentum. Skyjack, a major aerial work platform manufacturer, has committed to placing the "Click It!" stickers on all boom lifts that leave their factory, and a number of major rental companies have expressed interest in placing this vital message on all boom lifts in their rental fleet.

If your organization is interested in obtaining "Click It!" stickers for your machines or copies of "Technical Guidance Note AWPT H1," visit www.awpt.org. Small quantities of stickers are available free of charge, and larger quantities or custom-printed versions can be ordered for a nominal price. Downloadable artwork also is available online for printing your own stickers.