Introduction

Introduction
Insulated Aerial Lift Device Defined
Boom Contact Accident Defined

Aerial Lift Device Designs
Articulated Lift Devices
Telescopic Lift Devices
Digger Derrick

MADDDC
Defined
Purpose

Accident Studies
Industry Study
NIOSH

Lawyer Profile

Results From Cases Handled

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Insulated aerial lift devices are primarily used in the telecommunications, utility and tree trimming industries. They are often referred to as bucket trucks. Insulated aerial lift devices replaced earlier all steel man lift devices. They are manufactured pursuant to ANSI A92.2 standards and come in a variety of design platforms. 

Boom contact accidents:  

A boom contact accident is a term understood by the bucket truck industry as an incident where the aerial device becomes a conduit of electricity, resulting in electrical injury or death to operators. It occurs when there is inadvertent contact between a portion of the aerial lift and an energized conductor while the operator is in contact with a ground source. The contact usually occurs on some metal componentry in the upper boom area which causes all other metal in the upper boom area to become energized on those trucks so designed. In most of these accidents the operator has his hand on the control handle which has become energized due to the inadvertent contact. Most workers are unaware that the control handle may become energized in the event of boom contact with an energized conductor.

Generally speaking, "contact" accidents can result in serious injuries or death from either flash fire injuries or electrical burn injuries that occur when a worker or operator actually becomes a part of a high voltage circuit.   For purposes of our discussion here, "boom contact" accident refers to injuries or death resulting when the "insulated" aerial lift device control surfaces and the operator become a part of the circuit.  The result is usually catastrophic, as the list of cases handled by our firm reflects.