Back

How to Safely Operate Your Bucket Truck

Jul. 29 2021 Safety By DeBary Truck Sales

Share

Bucket trucks can be very complex to operate, which means that you must be responsible for the safety of yourself and others when using one. Following basic safety practices is necessary to prevent injuries or damage to the equipment or the worksite. While OSHA provides a brief outline about how to operate a bucket truck, there isn’t really a training manual for those who operate these trucks.

That’s why we’re here to help. DeBary Truck Sales in Sanford is your Florida bucket truck dealer, serving Atlanta. Let this guide help you to keep yourself and those around you safe when operating a bucket truck. 

1. Train Operators

Untrained operators are a significant danger to your worksite and OSHA requires training and certification to operate a bucket ruck correctly. Employees should never operate the truck until they’ve been trained and qualified to use it. Trainings will supply workers with the information needed to safely operate the truck, including hazards to avoid, dangers presented by the equipment and handouts and references to study.

2. Inspect Your Truck

Before each use, always give your bucket truck a thorough inspection to make sure everything is operating properly. Areas to inspect include the tires, the engine’s fluid levels, brakes, bucket controls, railings and doors. Keep your bucket truck well-maintained by performing regular upkeep tasks on it and having it serviced regularly by a professional mechanic, such as those here at the DeBary Truck Sales service department.

3. Clear the Work Area

When preparing to use a bucket truck in a workspace, walk around the work area to make sure that there are no bumps, drop-offs, holes or debris that the truck can sink into or impact. Also, check the space overhead for power lines, building awnings and trees that may get in the way of the operation of the bucket itself. Avoid working on steep slopes or very uneven ground.

4. Know the Hazards

A number of issues can befall you when operating a bucket truck and it’s good to know what they are. Typically, people falling from the bucket is a very common hazard, and a fall as short as five feet can still result in broken bones or other serious injuries. The truck can tip over or collapse on uneven ground. Falling objects dislodged by the bucket or person in the bucket can hit people on the ground. The bucket can also catch on various structures and objects. Body parts can be caught in the equipment as well. Electrocution is a risk if working around power lines. Being aware of these hazards can help you to avoid them.

5. Wear Safety Gear

Finally, it’s important to equip your employees with personal protective equipment (PPE) to keep them safe while operating the bucket truck or working around it. Items to wear include:

  • Hard hat.
  • Goggles or face shields.
  • Heavy gloves.
  • Personal fall arrests.
  • Bright orange safety vests.

Ready to shop for a truck? Stop by our dealership located in Sanford, FL, today to view our full stock of new and used bucket trucks for sale. DeBary Truck Sales proudly serves all of our Florida customers as well as those of you coming south from the greater Atlanta, GA, metropolitan region.