In high-altitude construction, municipal, and power engineering scenarios, complex weather conditions pose severe challenges to equipment stability and operational safety. This article integrates the Safety Rules for Aerial Work Machinery (JG 5099) and engineering mechanics principles to analyze key technical points from three dimensions: risk identification, operation protocols, and equipment adaptation, facilitating safe and efficient operations.
I. Windy Environments: Wind Speed Control as a Precondition, Equipment Type Adaptation as Core
(1) Risk Early Warning and Operation Thresholds
Basic Safety Guidelines: The wind resistance rating of equipment must adhere to specifications in the instruction manual; operation beyond the design threshold is strictly prohibited.
Dynamic Monitoring Requirements: Professional anemometers should be used to monitor environmental wind speed in real time. Avoid areas prone to the venturi effect (e.g., gaps between buildings, mountain passes). In environments with frequent gusts, reduce the safety threshold by 20% as a buffer.
(2) Operation Protocols by Equipment Type
Scissor Lift Platforms
Stability Control: Limit working height to 70% of maximum stroke to lower the center of gravity. Fully extend outriggers and ensure rigid contact with the ground; use load-bearing pads (thickness ≥20mm) on soft ground to enhance support.
Risk Warning: Unbalanced outrigger loading may cause lateral tilting due to crosswind loads. Immediately stop operation and lower the platform if the tilt angle exceeds 3°.
Boom Lifts (Straight Arm/Curved Arm/Truck-Mounted)
Posture Management: Limit horizontal extension to 80% of maximum capacity. Prioritize "vertical lifting + small-angle luffing" to minimize wind load torque on the boom.
Structural Locking: Activate both parking brakes and wheel chocks for truck-mounted platforms. Regularly inspect boom connection bolts; replace immediately if torque decay exceeds 15%.
Aluminum Mast Platforms
Usage Limitations: Require two-person operation when wind speed reaches Level 4 (8.3m/s) or higher. Prohibit rapid lateral movement by single operators (recommended speed ≤0.3m/s).
Center of Gravity Control: Distribute loads evenly within the platform’s central area (deviation ≤50cm). Overloading is strictly prohibited.
II. Extreme Climates: Dual Safeguards of Hardware Protection and Operational Strategies
(1) Rain, Snow, and Freezing Conditions
Equipment Protection Essentials
Mechanical Systems: Regularly clear snow/ice from scissor mechanisms to prevent jamming. Apply low-temperature lubricating grease (-30°C–150°C operating range) to critical articulation points for smooth movement.
Electrical Systems: Electric equipment must have IP54-rated motors and double-insulated battery interfaces. Preheat hydraulic systems for 5–10 minutes at low temperatures to reduce component wear.
Operation Risk Warnings
Wet platform surfaces increase fall risks by 300%. Always use five-point harnesses with high-low anchoring.
On slopes steeper than 5°, scissor lifts face higher longitudinal slippage risks. Adopt a "zigzag" movement pattern to avoid straight-line 失控 (loss of control).
(2) High Temperature and Strong Ultraviolet (UV) Environments
Equipment Cooling Solutions
Diesel Engines: Regularly inspect cooling systems to ensure coolant levels are ≥1.5x the minimum mark. Idle turbocharged engines for 5 minutes before shutdown to prevent overheating.
Lithium Battery Platforms: Monitor cell temperatures in real time. Activate current-limiting protection at 60°C and forced power-off at 65°C to prevent thermal runaway.
Personnel Operation Protocols
Operators should not work continuously for more than 2 hours and must replenish 500ml of electrolyte water every 30 minutes to avoid dehydration.
Regularly inspect UV-exposed plastic components (e.g., control panel covers) for cracks or brittleness, replacing them promptly.
(3) Lightning and Heavy Rain Emergencies
Absolute Prohibitions: Cease all operations immediately if lightning is detected within 5km or rainfall exceeds 30mm/h.
Evacuation Procedures: Follow the sequence: "lower platform → retract boom → power off → relocate to open areas." Park equipment away from objects taller than twice the platform height (e.g., trees, overhead lines) to avoid lightning strikes.
III. Equipment Selection and Risk Matching: Key Parameter Analysis
(1) Performance Boundaries of Core Equipment Types
Different aerial work platforms have distinct design capabilities for targeted environments:
Scissor Lifts: Suitable for large-scale flat-surface operations, with wind resistance ≤12.5m/s, temperature range -20°C–45°C, and minimum ground bearing capacity ≥150kPa.
Straight Arm Booms: Ideal for long-distance high-altitude tasks (e.g., wind turbine maintenance, bridge inspection), with wind resistance ≤10.8m/s, temperature range -30°C–50°C, and ground bearing ≥200kPa.
Telescopic Lifts: Used for precise vertical lifting (e.g., factory equipment installation, venue lighting adjustment), with wind resistance ≤11.4m/s, temperature range -15°C–40°C, and ground bearing ≥120kPa.
Aluminum Mast Platforms: Suited for light-duty indoor/outdoor tasks (e.g., mall renovations, billboard maintenance), with wind resistance ≤9.8m/s, temperature range -10°C–35°C, and ground bearing ≥100kPa.
(2) Selection Risk Warnings
For boom lifts near high-voltage power lines, maintain a safety distance ≥6m from 10kV lines. Consider installing proximity sensors for early warning.
During telescopic lift operation, ensure verticality deviation ≤1.5°. Immediate shutdown is required for calibration if this threshold is exceeded to avoid jamming or abnormal noise.
IV. Pre-Operation Checklist: 10 Core Risk Control Points
Weather Forecast: Confirm the 2-hour forecast, focusing on wind speed, precipitation, and lightning.
Equipment Status: Test emergency stop buttons, limit switches, and anti-tip devices.
Ground Conditions: Check flatness (slope ≤3°) and bearing capacity (use a probe if necessary).
Load Verification: Ensure actual load ≤90% of rated capacity, evenly distributed.
Safety Gear: Operators must wear full-body harnesses, non-slip shoes, and helmets; tools require anti-drop lanyards.
Communication Test: Synchronize walkie-talkie channels and clarify emergency stop signals (audio-visual/gestural).
Filter Inspection: For diesel models, check fuel and hydraulic filters; replace if pressure difference exceeds 0.35MPa.
Tires/Outriggers: Verify tire pressure (deviation ±0.2bar) and inspect outrigger seals for damage/leaks.
Software Version: Update intelligent control system firmware monthly.
Emergency Plan: Predefine evacuation routes and ensure ground supervisors are always on-site.
V. Industry Safety Consensus: Risks Cannot Be Eliminated, but Can Be Controlled
Data from the International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) shows that strict adherence to operation protocols reduces adverse weather risks by 75%. Enterprises should establish a "three-level training system": 8-hour specialized hands-on training for new employees, annual refresher courses with extreme weather simulations, and IoT-based real-time equipment monitoring for management.
Key Takeaway: The core safety principle for adverse weather operations is to maintain respect for risks. Only by strictly following protocols and optimizing equipment adaptation can safety and efficiency be balanced.