Requirements for the operator of work platforms, certificates of competenceAccident hotspots:Loss of stability of the machine due to inadequate unsafe installationCrushing of persons who are in the work platform at the time of the accidentEjection of persons, falling when getting in or out of the lifted platform Causes of such accidents are, for example, inadequate maintenance, incorrect deployment planning or misconduct by the operator. While the responsibility for the first two causes of accidents lies with the owner/rental company or the employer, the operator is particularly obliged to prevent accidents through his behavior in order to avert damage to himself and others. Although aerial work platforms are basically safe machines, accidents caused by or with the involvement of work platforms cannot be ruled out. Compared to the much more frequent forklift accidents, however, they are often particularly severe. According to the state occupational health and safety authorities, about five fatal accidents at work involving aerial work platforms occur in Germany every year. In general, controlling aerial work platforms is a responsible, dangerous activity that is associated with numerous potential hazards for the operator as well as for uninvolved third parties. For this reason, there is an employment restriction for the operation of aerial work platforms, i.e. not every employee is allowed to operate an aerial work platform or riser. Proof of eligibility/driver's license has been mandatory for several years! Your training centre for construction and logistics Geimer Tel: 0176 41010840, www.sfbl.de