About the Authors: Jim Olson is senior product engineer for Terex Utilities. He has a mechanical engineering background and has been working in design and engineering for aerial devices and digger derricks since 1986.
Craig Ries is a product safety engineer for Terex Utilities. He has a mechanical engineering background and has been working in design and engineering for aerial devices and digger derricks since 2005.
Hydraulic oil, when confined within the hydraulic system and properly maintained, is nonconductive. However, failure of a hose creates numerous hazards that have the potential to harm personnel and damage equipment. Personnel may suffer burns from contact with hot oil. If the hydraulic line failure creates a mist of oil, it can easily be ignited […]