Just in case you don't know what a bucket truck is, I will provide you with an explanation. If you have ever seen the utility company, typically the telephone and electric company, working at the side of the road chances are they were using a bucket truck. Or you may have even seen someone using the same type of truck when removing a large tree from their property. Essentially a bucket truck, also know as a cherry picker, boom lift, man lift, basket crane or hydraladder is a type of arial work platform that usually consits of a bucket at the end of a hyrdalic lifitng arm. Usually this piece of machinery is attached to a truck. Hence a Bucket Truck. It come in various sizes, but their main goal is to make work easier and safer by lifting workers to places too high for traditional ladders. Although in most cases it is safer than a ladder there are still some risks involved if not operated properly.

The following list of safety guidelines should be taken into consideration whenever operating a bucket truck.

A safety inspection should be performed. This includes:
1. checking for oil leaks
2. looking for broken or damaged parts
3. checking for any signs of wear
4. looking for rust or cracks
5. and checking all controls to ensure they are working properly, this includes the Emergency Stop and Lower

Emergency Operation
There may be a time when the lifting arm could malfunction. It is always a good idea to familiarize yourself the emergency procedures. If the lifting arm fails to retract you need to know exactly how to lower the bucket if the power system malfunctions.

Fuel
As the trucks engine can power the hydraulic lifting arm you should ensure that the tank is full of fuel before heading out on a job. If there is an auxiliary motor to power the lifting arm you must also ensure that motor has plenty of fuel.

Parking
It is essential to park on level ground. You will also have to pay attention when it comes to different weather conditions. Parking on the snow or ice is much different then parking on solid ground. Even in the summer months, ground area may be soft, so make sure you are aware of the conditions, as soft ground, such as mud or snow may cause tipping if the truck is not properly parked.

Post-Safety Check
After you have finished for the day you should do another safety check ensuing all the same things as you did on your Pre Safety Check. Also it is a good idea to keep the truck free of debris and cover the bucket when it is not in use.

Following those 5 simple steps, and with proper use, a Bucket Truck is much safer than using a typical ladder to reach high places. Of course one more added concern is that it should never be used in cases of high wind, so make sure you always check your local weather before heading out on a job.

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