Genie Introduces a New Generation of Secondary Operator Protection

Wednesday 12 April 2017 @ 14:07

The first in the next generation of innovative accessories, the new Genie Lift Guard™ Contact Alarm system will launch in Australia next month, and in some circumstances, it will provide additional operator protection.

The Genie Lift Guard™ Contact Alarm system is engineered as an electronic secondary guarding system designed to alert ground personnel when an operator makes contact with the breakaway cable. This new accessory is configured as a standard accessory on most new Genie Z (articulated) and S™ (telescopic) boom lifts. It is active whenever the footswitch on the boom is enabled.

“Genie protective solutions continue to evolve,” says Mitch Ely, Genie National Operations Manager Australia. “Operator safety is a paramount concern for Genie, and we have developed the new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm with this goal in mind. This new configuration is a significantly different design from its predecessor, the Genie Operator Protective Alarm (OPA).”

Advantages of the Genie system

“We engineered the new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system to be visible from the ground with its bright yellow colour. In the platform, it is as unobtrusive for the operator as possible,” says Ely. “It is simple to use, and it is used in conjunction with operator training required by industry standards worldwide that could enhance safe work practices on aerial job sites.”

This new design includes an additional free-movement zone between the cable and the control panel that may allow for operator mobility once the system is activated. “Unlike other devices on the market, the Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system could reduce the risk of operators applying unintentional contact pressure on the boom’s control panel,” adds Ely.

The Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system is available installed standard from the factory or as an aftermarket kit, which can easily be installed in less than 30 minutes with only a few fasteners and electrical harness connectors. It fits on platforms in the Genie Z- and S-boom families and can be retrofitted on units dating back to 2003.

This accessory is not yet available on Genie Z-33/18 articulated boom lifts or Genie TZ ™-34 and TZ-50 trailer-mounted booms.

Enhanced safety

In addition to this new accessory, Genie continues to offer its Operator Protective Structure (OPS). “Genie genuine parts and accessories, including the new standard Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system are specifically designed and tested for our machines. This means these accessories will fit correctly every time and may enhance operators’ safe work at height procedures,” says Ely.

The Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system will be available in June 2017 and will be on display at HIRE17 Conference (10-11 May) in Sydney.

Contact Alarm