try to perform these jobs when traffic is at its lightest and be set up as close to the work and as far from the road as possible,” he says. “Make sure you have your site adequately demarcated to ensure it is clear of traffic, bystanders, passers-by, and the like. Use cones, conspicuity decals, signal men, and/or lighting to maximize the visibility of the machine to oncoming traffic.” If signage is being installed on sloped areas, ensure that the vehicle is set up level and on a firm foundation. Wilkerson says to always use pads or cribbage to level the boom truck or AWP with the outriggers. “If the equipment is not equipped with outriggers, you may have to use blocks or ramps to level the truck to avoid an over-the-center gravity situation, which can cause a roll over or an unsafe situation,” he advises. “Also be sure that the wheels are properly chocked to prevent vehicle movement.” In today’s COVID-19 world, Wilkerson says it is important to follow CDC guidelines and use appropriate precautions, such as wearing a mask when interacting with clients on the job site. “Make sure you have hand sanitizer on the truck since there may not be a place readily available on the job site to wash your hands,” he says. “I know of some companies that have gone to one occupant per vehicle in all company vehicles to encourage social distancing. “Most of the time, the aerial equipment operator is working alone, and if you are up in the air, you cannot get much more socially distant than that.” Wilkerson says it’s always a good idea to check with local municipalities ahead of time to see if there are any additional considerations to keep in mind. “I have heard of a couple of municipalities that were requiring mask and or face shields to any workers that are working,” he says. As far as news and trends, Glazer states that, in the interest of the “environment and safety,” certain localities in New York and California are implementing regulations that will require users to retire machines once they reach a specified age. Finally Wilkerson points out that OSHA is scheduled to ramp up inspections of aerial equipment in the coming months and that owners and operators need to be prepared for this. 30
Sign Builder Illustrated
December 2020
signshop.com
