7 Tips for Bucket Truck Operators

Be it any Jobsite — forestry, construction, fruit picking, utility maintenance, or any other — bucket trucks have become an indispensable piece of equipment. 

But they are complex too. Given they are used to provide a platform for operators to reach a particular height, it is critical to ensure safety precautions as well as understand the potential hazards. 

This will ensure the safety of workers. Plus, it also ensures that you have a clear overview of what could go wrong with bucket trucks.

Here are simple tips — or to say simple tasks — that you can use to ensure safe conditions for workers. 

Daily Inspection or Before Every Operation

Your safety advisor would have already suggested this. And for a reason: after an operation, bucket trucks are prone to dents, cracks, breaks, leaks, and damages. 

Of course, the safety manager should inspect these issues after the operation itself. Still, it is critical to cross-verify and ensure that every part of the bucket truck is ready for operation.

Everything means everything. From the underneath, ensure to inspect any fluid leaks. Plus, even check for any headlight defaults. As well as ensure that the hydraulics are working perfectly. 

If there is any kind of anomaly — at any scale —report immediately to the supervisor. And visit the nearest best bucket truck repair promptly.

You will have to understand that by inspecting these issues — you will safeguard the people that will operate the vehicle. At the same time, you will be dealing with the problems that may come later.

Worksite Inspection

Vehicle inspection is one thing, and this is the most important measure. But bucket trucks are regarded as a complex vehicle to operate because of the environment.

There are instances when the worksite has potholes, muddy ground, slopes, debris, and other such issues, which not only makes the operation difficult and troublesome. But also, can be dangerous to the people operating in and on the bucket truck. 

You will also have to ensure the overhead problems like electrical lines, trees, and other obstructions. 

So, ensure to review the area before the work begins. And if there is room for improvement, report to the supervisor. 

Fall Protection

While it is not common for operators to fall out of the bucket, there have been multiple instances where another vehicle hit the truck. And it knocked the workers out. 

And even in the case that doesn’t happen, it is always better to arm yourself against the potential risks. 

So, when it comes to fall protection, supervisors or safety managers should always provide proper safety gear. This will ensure that workers do not injure themselves if some other vehicle runs into the bucket truck. 

There should be at least three points of contact between the worker in the bucket and the ground. And the last one should stand above 2 feet off the ground. This alone will not ensure the proper protection against falling. 

Safety engineering should also provide a helmet, knee guard, and knuckle guard to the bucket operator. Depending on the type of work, you should provide safety glasses and face shields. 

And besides providing the equipment, safety managers should also ensure that gears are in proper condition. 

Emergency Escape

Auxiliary power, backup pump, or even standalone ladders attached to the valve work in situations when the lift falls. 

These protective features ensure that the workers can descend down when working alone. Of course, ensure always to have someone to watch over the operator to ensure anomalies can be addressed immediately. 

But even in the worst-case scenario, it is best to design an emergency escape. 

Bucket Truck Operation Tips

All the above-mentioned points come under the supervision of the safety manager. And they will have to ensure that all these safety protocols have to be met. 

However, there are certain things that the supervisor should inform before every bucket truck operation. And here are some tips that supervisors can ask their bucket truck operators to follow. 

Generally, bucket truck operators are trained professionals. And they know the Dos and Don’ts. Still, it is the responsibility of the safety manager to inform about the instruction and safety guidelines one-to-one before every operation. 

Some important bucket truck operation tips are: 

• Regardless of whether the operator is working on level ground or not, ensure they use the set brakes, outriggers, and wheel chocks.
• Do not move the vehicle when the worker is in the bucket.
• If you are working in a traffic zone or other busy areas, ensure to use proper signs and block traffic accordingly. Of course, you will need prior permission from the local authorities.
• Do not let the operator move the bucket outside of the protective zone. Safety managers should mark the danger zone beforehand. This will allow the bucket truck operator to not move outside the protective zone during operation.
• When it comes to the amount of weight in the bucket, ensure not to add weight more than the manufacturer’s suggested capacity. Retain the tools that you carry within the bucket to complete the job also should be accounted for.
• Operators should be careful while working in the overhead zones. Given a simple swing could be deadly, the bucket operation should be precise.

Conclusion,

Bucket trucks are designed to be safe. And they are indeed safe. But you will have to ensure that everything is in the right order — and proper condition. 

Retain that most accidents with bucket trucks happen because of human negligence. So, ensure to follow all the safety protocols. And use only high-quality protective gears. 

Hopefully, this guide has helped you learn about all the tips to operate bucket trucks. 

But this is just an online guide. And it is best to follow the protocols advised by the manufacturer. Plus, discuss with the supervisor or even the safety consultant to make any changes.

You will have to understand that bucket trucks are not the concern. The worker who will be in the bucket, is all about them. So, following proper safety guidelines becomes important.