A new safety campaign to encourage all users of boom type platforms to wear a full body harness with a short lanyard attached to a suitable anchor point has been launched by American Work Platform Training (AWPT) in North America called "Click It!". The campaign has received the approval of the Scaffold industry Association (SIA) and is similar to successful promotional campaigns encouraging people to wear their seatbelts when riding in a car.

 

The new program's initiative came from companies frustrated with the fact that people are injured in boom type lifts because they are not wearing a harness that would keep them from being thrown or catapulted from the platform. To remind and encourage people to wear a harness, AWPT had that advice printed on stickers that can be placed on the boom lift where they can be seen by all occupants in the platform. In addition, AWPT has made available a document titled "Technical Guidance Note AWPT H1" that provides information on their recommendation for the proper use of harnesses and lanyards on different types of aerial platforms.

 

Called "Clunk Click!" in the UK where it was first introduced, the campaing is being promoted worldwide by the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF), AWPT's parent organization. To date, thousands of stickers have been printed and distributed throughout the UK and the program has spread rapidly.

 

Skyjack, has committed to placing the "Click It!" stickers on all new boom lifts that leave their factory.