Bucket Truck Injuries And Accidents: 6 Important Things to Know

A bucket truck is a type of aerial device, usually attached to a crane or hydraulic boom, often used in the construction industry. A controlled descent by means of a pulley system lets workers disengage from the equipment to lower themselves safely to the ground. When operating at height, these trucks are designed with an elevated platform where workers are able to stand or sit.

A bucket truck presents a great deal of risk for its operators and those in the vicinity of the equipment. Accidents occur on a regular basis resulting in serious injuries, some of which require hospitalization. It’s important that you know what you’re up against before working with this kind of machinery. This article will inform you on things you need to know about bucket truck injuries and accidents.

How Common Are Accidents Involving A Bucket Truck?

Thousands of accidents involving bucket trucks happen every year, resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths. Many times the truck was improperly used or maintained. Bucket truck accidents cause more than $15 million in property damage each year, according to OSHA. The average cost of injury for a worker on an aerial lift is $26,000 per incident, not including lost time from work. OSHA recorded at least 31 deaths related to aerial lifts between 2003 and 2013. On average one worker dies every three weeks due to an aerial lift accident in the U.S.

Can You Be Compensated For The Injury?

In order to be compensated, the injury must have been caused by someone else’s wrongful behavior or negligence. If your injury was caused while you were performing a task that you were specifically told not to do, it is difficult for you to sue anyone. If you did not follow safety rules or warning labels on machinery or equipment, you may have no legal recourse. If your employer knew or should have known that there was a serious risk to your health or safety, but they did nothing about it you can sue them.

If you live in Alabama, occupational safety and health in the private sector workplace is governed by the federal OSH Act. So whether you are in Huntsville, Florence, or Birmingham, you’ll definitely be able to hire a  Florence bucket truck injury lawyer to get the settlement that you deserve if you get injured while working or if your employer knows about outdated or defective equipment but does not fix it. Although, there are many different factors that contribute to the final settlement figure in an injury case. The type of injury incurred, the medical treatment required, your daily living expenses, loss of income, and any permanent injuries are all taken into consideration when determining how much money you deserve.

What Are Some Common Accidents?

One of the most common types of bucket truck accidents is when the bucket contacts an overhead wire, resulting in electrocution or shock. Electrocutions happen when power lines contact a bucket, boom, or another part of the truck. Most victims die instantly from cardiac arrest when the electrical current interrupts the heart’s electrical impulses. The other common kind of accident is when the truck tips over, for instance, due to high winds or an overloaded vehicle. If the boom fails, due to a lack of maintenance or age, it could also cause the vehicle to tip. Other accidents include electrocution from poor wiring or malfunctioning electrical components on the truck.

How Can You Prevent Accidents? 

A few ways are through proper training and maintenance of bucket trucks, as well as using them correctly. OSHA has specific guidelines for training and maintenance, such as inspecting trucks before and after use. Training should include what to do in the event of an electrical hazard, as well as how high off the ground employees will be working. The manufacturer’s manual can also provide tips on proper usage. Another tip is to make sure not too much equipment is on the truck, which can lead to tipping. All employees should be trained on how to safely use these trucks and what the dangers are.

OSHA requires employers using aerial lifts, such as bucket trucks, to have their workers receive full training for each type of lift they will use. This must include information on the manufacturer’s lockout/Tagout procedures, what to do when they are in an electrically charged area, how high off the ground they will be when using the lift, and any other safety precautions important. The training must also teach employees the proper way to operate these machines.

Although bucket truck accidents are not common, they can be extremely dangerous to the individual operating the vehicle or working in its vicinity. Because of this, it is important to make sure that everyone working near these trucks has been properly trained and knows how to avoid common accidents. Employers should also make sure that all equipment is up-to-date and in good condition to avoid falling accidents.

Bucket Truck Injuries And Accidents: 6 Important Things to Know

A bucket truck is a type of aerial device, usually attached to a crane or hydraulic boom, often used in the construction industry. A controlled descent by means of a pulley system lets workers disengage from the equipment to lower themselves safely to the ground. When operating at height, these trucks are designed with an elevated platform where workers are able to stand or sit.

A bucket truck presents a great deal of risk for its operators and those in the vicinity of the equipment. Accidents occur on a regular basis resulting in serious injuries, some of which require hospitalization. It’s important that you know what you’re up against before working with this kind of machinery. This article will inform you on things you need to know about bucket truck injuries and accidents.

How Common Are Accidents Involving A Bucket Truck?

Thousands of accidents involving bucket trucks happen every year, resulting in hundreds of injuries and dozens of deaths. Many times the truck was improperly used or maintained. Bucket truck accidents cause more than $15 million in property damage each year, according to OSHA. The average cost of injury for a worker on an aerial lift is $26,000 per incident, not including lost time from work. OSHA recorded at least 31 deaths related to aerial lifts between 2003 and 2013. On average one worker dies every three weeks due to an aerial lift accident in the U.S.

Can You Be Compensated For The Injury?

In order to be compensated, the injury must have been caused by someone else’s wrongful behavior or negligence. If your injury was caused while you were performing a task that you were specifically told not to do, it is difficult for you to sue anyone. If you did not follow safety rules or warning labels on machinery or equipment, you may have no legal recourse. If your employer knew or should have known that there was a serious risk to your health or safety, but they did nothing about it you can sue them.

If you live in Alabama, occupational safety and health in the private sector workplace is governed by the federal OSH Act. So whether you are in Huntsville, Florence, or Birmingham, you’ll definitely be able to hire a Florence bucket truck injury lawyer to get the settlement that you deserve if you get injured while working or if your employer knows about outdated or defective equipment but does not fix it. Although, there are many different factors that contribute to the final settlement figure in an injury case. The type of injury incurred, the medical treatment required, your daily living expenses, loss of income, and any permanent injuries are all taken into consideration when determining how much money you deserve.

What Are Some Common Accidents?

One of the most common types of bucket truck accidents is when the bucket contacts an overhead wire, resulting in electrocution or shock. Electrocutions happen when power lines contact a bucket, boom, or another part of the truck. Most victims die instantly from cardiac arrest when the electrical current interrupts the heart’s electrical impulses. The other common kind of accident is when the truck tips over, for instance, due to high winds or an overloaded vehicle. If the boom fails, due to a lack of maintenance or age, it could also cause the vehicle to tip. Other accidents include electrocution from poor wiring or malfunctioning electrical components on the truck.

How Can You Prevent Accidents?

A few ways are through proper training and maintenance of bucket trucks, as well as using them correctly. OSHA has specific guidelines for training and maintenance, such as inspecting trucks before and after use. Training should include what to do in the event of an electrical hazard, as well as how high off the ground employees will be working. The manufacturer’s manual can also provide tips on proper usage. Another tip is to make sure not too much equipment is on the truck, which can lead to tipping. All employees should be trained on how to safely use these trucks and what the dangers are.

OSHA requires employers using aerial lifts, such as bucket trucks, to have their workers receive full training for each type of lift they will use. This must include information on the manufacturer’s lockout/Tagout procedures, what to do when they are in an electrically charged area, how high off the ground they will be when using the lift, and any other safety precautions important. The training must also teach employees the proper way to operate these machines.

Although bucket truck accidents are not common, they can be extremely dangerous to the individual operating the vehicle or working in its vicinity. Because of this, it is important to make sure that everyone working near these trucks has been properly trained and knows how to avoid common accidents. Employers should also make sure that all equipment is up-to-date and in good condition to avoid falling accidents.