How can you work safely with a pipe rail trolley?

Pipe rail trolleys are used regularly for carrying out work at height in greenhouse horticulture, particularly in harvesting and crop care. However, working with a pipe rail trolley does involve risks. That is why it is very important that those who work at height are aware of the safety measures, so that they know how to work safely with a pipe rail trolley. In this article, our specialist lists these measures.
Safety measures before use

• Before using a pipe rail trolley, always read the user manual first and follow its instructions and safety regulations. A pipe rail trolley may only be operated by persons of at least 18 years old who have been properly instructed and are familiar with the user manual, fully understand it and are aware of the dangers.
• Check the pipe rail trolley for defects before use. If you find a defect, then resolve it first or – if you cannot do so yourself – seek help from a mechanic.
• Before driving, make sure nobody is in your path, whether there are no other pipe rail trolleys in the path and whether there are no obstacles or plant remains on the rails.
• Also check in advance whether all guards and protection caps are mounted and closed.

   

  

Safety measures during use

• There may always only be one person on a pipe rail trolley. Never let anyone hitch a ride on the chassis.
• Place any load in the middle of the work platform and secure it. The load may never protrude more than 40 cm above the work platform.
• Close the safety gate before starting to drive and leave it closed while driving.
• Always remain on the work platform. If the height of the pipe rail trolley is insufficient, then never increase the lifting height (such as by placing a stepladder on top of the work platform).
• Most pipe rail trolleys are equipped with a tilt alarm with warning signal that starts beeping when the trolley reaches a tilt of more than 2°. If you hear this signal, stop your work immediately, move the shears down as far as possible, get off and ride the pipe rail trolley back while walking next      to it.
• Only use a pipe rail trolley for harvesting and crop care work.
• Never use a pipe rail trolley as a crane.

Safety measures after use

• Always set the pipe rail trolley to the lowest position before you get off.
• Always switch off a pipe rail trolley with the main switch after use.
• Always set the drive direction switch to the neutral position after use.
• When moving a pipe rail trolley, always wear safety shoes of at least safety category S1.