Genie Introduces Lanyard Alert to Encourage Operators to Use Fall Protection
Genie announces a new secondary guarding system designed to encourage boom lift operators to utilize fall protection equipment. Available in two configurations, Lift Guard Lanyard Alert and Lanyard Alert Advanced provide visual and audible alarms when the fall system lanyard is not attached to the anchor point inside the platform. The Advanced configuration additionally enables function cut-off, preventing operation until the lanyard is attached.
“In some markets, such as in the U.K., many contractors are requiring a lanyard warning device in order to bring boom lifts onto jobsites,” said Dominik Damm, director of product management, booms portfolio. “In addition, standards are changing, and we anticipate these devices will soon be included in global industry standards.”
Intuitive, easy-to-use lanyard reminder
“Lanyard Alert is similar to automotive seatbelt warnings people are familiar with in their cars, which have been widely successful in increasing the use of seatbelts by drivers,” said Damm. If the lanyard is not clipped in, a red warning light will flash. If the footswitch is enabled and the lanyard is still not attached, a targeted noise will start beeping."
On the standard version, the visual and audible warning will continue but machine functions will not be interrupted. The Advanced version will additionally disable machine functions until the lanyard is engaged. If the lanyard is unclipped after operation begins, only ground controls and boom-lowering functions will be active.
Genie has rigorously assessed other systems on the market to develop a simpler solution that delivers the least disruption to operator productivity. The anchor point is located to the right of the control box where it takes up no additional space in the platform, and the device is compatible with most carabiner clips.
“Keeping the system simple, cost-effective, and easy-to-install was critical for reducing barriers to the adoption of this important reminder to utilize your fall protection harness,” said Damm.
Lanyard Alert and Lanyard Alert Advanced can both be installed in less than 15 minutes and no calibration is required. An IP67-rated single enclosure ensures the systems will stand up to the harshest weather conditions. To help keep maintenance costs low, sensors can be individually swapped out rather than requiring a full board replacement, if needed.
Lanyard Alert can be ordered as a factory-fit option or retrofitted to all Genie boom models manufactured as of 2003. Both Lanyard Alert and Advanced Lanyard Alert are compliant with ANSI, CSA, CE, UKCA and AS standards.
About the Author
Michael Roth
Editor
Michael Roth has covered the equipment rental industry full time for RER since 1989 and has served as the magazine’s editor in chief since 1994. He has nearly 30 years experience as a professional journalist. Roth has visited hundreds of rental centers and industry manufacturers, written hundreds of feature stories for RER and thousands of news stories for the magazine and its electronic newsletter RER Reports. Roth has interviewed leading executives for most of the industry’s largest rental companies and manufacturers as well as hundreds of smaller independent companies. He has visited with and reported on rental companies and manufacturers in Europe, Central America and Asia as well as Mexico, Canada and the United States. Roth was co-founder of RER Reports, the industry’s first weekly newsletter, which began as a fax newsletter in 1996, and later became an online newsletter. Roth has spoken at conventions sponsored by the American Rental Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, California Rental Association and other industry events and has spoken before industry groups in several countries. He lives and works in Los Angeles when he’s not traveling to cover industry events.