The new secondary guarding system is designed to maximise operators’ safety.

The Manitou Safe Man System is designed to provide additional protection to workers operating on access platforms. The system helps to minimise risks of crushing and give safety and peace of mind to workers operating every day on platforms. 

The company stated that the Safe Man System is fully compliant with the EN 280 standards, therefore respecting Australia’s requirements for safety devices on aerial work platforms. 

A sensitive bar is fitted at the front of the control panel without interfering with the operator’s visibility on the control panel. When the platform is active and pressure is made on the sensitive bar for more than three seconds, all of the functions of the aerial platform become inactive. An audible alarm is activated and a blue beacon flashes and all movements immediately stop. The boom then automatically retracts. The operator can free themselves by the use of a bypass button which allows them to take control and disengage.

The company said that this system has been especially requested for the mining industry. The Manitou Safe Man System is now available on all Manitou aerial work platforms as an option or as a kit.