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Safety Precautions With Hydraulic Lifts

Hydraulic lift safety is paramount on any worksite where they are used. Machines with hydraulic components are used to do the heavy work in a variety of settings and businesses. The auto mechanic, warehouseman, farmer and industrial construction worker all use hydraulic lifts. Forklifts, cranes and pumps are operated with hydraulic systems. According to the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, the most common type of accident involving an aerial lift has historically been the tip-over. But there are other safety concerns with hydraulic lifts.

  1. Maintenance Precautions

    • Hydraulic lifts must be maintained meticulously to keep them safe. If not, components may fail. For maintenance, the lift must be lowered to the ground or supported on blocks, engine off and locked, hydraulic pressure released. Check for worn hoses and oil leaks. Check all components for tight fit and to find any signs of wearing. Replace dirty filters and check oil. The cylinder rods will rust if you do not apply protective lubricants to them. Test and clean the valves. Check all hoses and coupling for pinhole leaks.

    Systems Safety

    • P.D. Ayers, of the Colorado State University Extension, says that because hydraulic systems can be under as much as 2,000 lbs. or more of pressure per square inch, the proper coupling of components' valves is a must. The fluid under pressure is hot. The danger of worker injury is great. For safety you should not connect high-pressure pumps to a low-pressure system. Don't add a low-pressure component to a high-pressure system. This could cause ruptures in the connections.

    Health Protection

    • In addition to the danger of hydraulic machinery tipping over, burns from the hot pressurized fluid can occur. Hydraulic hoses, unleashed, can whip around, causing cuts and bruises. There is also danger of injection of the fluid into the skin. This happens because you may not notice a small hole in a hose. When you touch it the pressurized fluid shooting through the pinhole can pierce the skin. Immediate medical care is an absolute must in this situation. You may not feel the prick, but it can quickly cause poisoning, and a finger or hand could be lost.

    Operational Safety

    • The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety lists safety precautions for operation of hydraulic equipment: Only certified and trained workers may operate hydraulic lifts. Don't leave the machine without lowering it to the ground. If you are moving the machine on a truck, lock the cylinder stops. Don't use the lift for tasks other than those it was designed to perform. Keep debris, tools and supplies away from the machine work area.

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