Manitou has developed a secondary guarding system in a bid to minimise crushing incidents on elevating work platforms (EWPs).
The company says the Safe Man System, which is fully compliant with EN 280 standards, works through the use of a sensitive bar fitted at the front of the control panel.
“When the platform is active and pressure is made on the sensitive bar for more than 3 seconds, all of the functions of the aerial platform become inactive,” Manitou says. “An audible alarm is activated and a blue beacon flashes and all movements immediately stop. The boom then automatically retracts.
“The operator can free himself by the use of a bypass button which allows him to take control and disengage.”
As you can see from the photograph, the pressure-sensitive bar does not interfere with the operator’s view of the control panel.
Manitou says the Safe Man System was developed in response to requests from customers, particularly those in the mining sector.
Other safety features of the company’s EWPs include negative braking, dead man’s pedals and control panels in the basket and on the ground.
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