JLG Industries last week announced it is giving away a LiftPod portable aerial work platform to raise awareness of safety in the workplace, particularly as it relates to maintenance and facility management. The Summer of Safety LiftPod Giveaway, which will begin on July 1, and run through August 31, is open to those who require elevation platforms or ladders to do their jobs. Entry rules and guidelines are available at www.liftpod.com.

According to a study done by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries, more than 800 people died in 2007 as a result of falls in the workplace. This was the highest number of reported fatal falls in a single year and an increase of 39 percent since the census was started in 1992. More than 90 percent of the reported falls involved falls to lower levels, which include falls from ladders, roofs or scaffolding. JLG hopes that by raising awareness of products available to reduce risk, workplace safety will improve for facility maintenance personnel who regularly work at heights on the job.

“The LiftPod is designed to replace the ladder and can help facility managers avoid potentially deadly falls from height while on the job,” said Chris Mellott, JLG Industries vice president sales and market development, the Americas. “In fact, in developing the LiftPod, increasing safety in the workplace for facility maintenance staff was one of the key drivers. More than 90 percent of facility managers and building owners said safety was ‘very important’ when selecting facility maintenance equipment. Safety also was the most important criteria decision makers used to evaluate new equipment.”

The JLG LiftPod meets the requirements for ANSI standard A92.3 2006, which calls for elevated work platforms to meet specific strength and stability requirements, including passing specific horizontal and vertical load tests. To meet the ANSI standard, the LiftPod is equipped with redundant ropes and a descent brake to protect against free descent in the event of a rope failure. By complying with the ANSI standard for aerial work platforms, the LiftPod also meets the applicable requirements of OSHA 1910.67 for vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms, and OSHA 1926.453 for aerial lifts.

McConnellsburg, Pa.-based JLG Industries, an Oshkosh Corp. company, is a global designer, manufacturer and marketer of access equipment. The company’s product portfolio includes leading brands such as JLG aerial work platforms; JLG, SkyTrak and Lull telehandlers; and an array of complementary accessories designed to increase the versatility and efficiency of these products.