GENIE INTRODUCES NEW GENERATION OF SECONDARY OPERATOR PROTECTION 

Genie’s new Lift guard Contact Alarm is the first in the next generation of innovative accessories designed to provide additional operator protection and safety while working on the jobsite.

Genie’s new Lift Guard Contact Alarm is engineered as an electronic secondary guarding system, designed to immediately activate and alert others that the operator may need help.

The Lift Guard Contact Alarm system features an activation cable fitted above the boom lift’s platform control panel. When pressure is applied to the cable, it automatically disconnects and activates the system, bringing all machine lift and drive functions to a stop to prevent additional movement in the platform. When the contact alarm is activated the systems also sounds an audio alarm and flashing beacons to, notifying everyone near the Genie boom lift that the operator may require assistance.

The system is only functional when the footswitch is depressed – motion does not resume until a human resets the system by simply clicking the activation cable back into place. Once reset, there is no need to restart the engine or cycle e-stop power to resume machine functionality. The machine can be operated from the ground if necessary.

Boasting a robust configuration with simple parts, the Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm design provides excellent visibility of the control panel and aerial jobsite for the operator and does not interfere with machine operation. The system’s design includes an additional free-movement zone between the cable and the control panel to allow for operator mobility once the system is activated and reduces the risk of operators applying unintentional contact pressure on the boom’s control panel.

“Genie protective solutions continue to evolve,” says Marie Engstrom, Genie Product Manager, Terex AWP. “Operator safety is a paramount concern for Genie, and we have developed the new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm, part of the Genie line of Lift Guard secondary operator protection accessories, with this goal in mind. This new configuration is a significantly different design from its predecessor, the Genie Operator Protective Alarm (OPA).”

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

The Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system is configured as a standard accessory on most new Genie Z (articulated) and S (telescopic) boom lifts.

It is also available as an aftermarket kit that can easily be installed in less than 30 minutes with only a few fasteners and electrical harness connectors. Because the system fits on platforms in the Genie Z- and S-boom families, it can be retrofitted on units back to 2003. This accessory is not yet available on Genie Z-33/18 articulated boom lifts, GR-26J or Genie TZ-34 and TZ-50 trailer-mounted booms.

Compatible with Genie’s Operator Protective Structure

In addition to this new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system, Genie continues to offer its Operator Protective Structure (OPS), part of the Genie line of Lift Guard secondary operator protection accessories.

Introduced in 2012, the Genie OPS may be attached to boom lifts with 6-ft to 8-ft platforms. The tubular steel structure is designed to transfer the kinetic energy into surrounding structures while maintaining a protected area for the operator in some circumstances. It weighs 36 lb (16 kg) and is bolted directly on the boom lift’s platform — no modifications are needed. The Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm and OPS systems can be used together.

The Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system is now available in North America. It will be available globally in Q2, 2017. For more information about Genie Lift Guard secondary operator protection accessories, including the new Genie Lift Guard Contact Alarm system, visit www.genielift.com