MECHANICAL LIFTS / POWERED PLATFORMS

Background:

Use of mechanical lifts and powered platforms is routine at UWM. Staff and students using forklifts, mechanical lifts or powered platforms must receive basic operational and safety training prior to use. Personal protective equipment (PPE) may also be required.

Each operator shall be instructed in the safe and proper operation of the specific aerial device according to the manufacturer's operator's manual, UWM work instructions, and any other appropriate standards and safe work practices.

Please contact University Safety & Assurances (x6339) for additional information.

Some Safety Rules for Operating an Aerial Lift:

Ensure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.

Maintain and operate elevating work platforms in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Know the capacity of the lift you will be using and do not overload. Allow for the combined weight of the worker, tools and materials.

Inspect the lift before each use.

Check the area of travel for trip hazards and hazards from above and below.

Maintain a safe distance from power lines (minimum clearance of at least 10 feet).

Always treat powerlines, wires and other conductors as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated.

Ensure that others are at a safe distance from the lift.

Never modify the equipment without the manufacturer's approval.

If the lift is unattended, lower the platform, shut off the engine, engage the parking brake and remove the key.

Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.

Never move the equipment with workers in an elevated platform unless this is permitted by the manufacturer.

Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Movement of the lift could crush the worker(s).

Use a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket to prevent the worker(s) from being ejected or pulled from the basket.

Set the brakes and use wheel chocks when on an incline.

Use outriggers, if provided. Use common sense.

Workforce Safety & Insurancewww.WorkforceSafety.com_____________________________________________________________________________________________June 2003AERIAL PLATFORMS AND MANLIFT SAFETY1. Only authorized, properly trained, qualified persons shall use or operate this equipment.2. The operating and maintenance instruction manuals issued by the manufacturer must be followed.3. Load limits of the boom and basket will not be exceeded. Shock loading (sudden stops or starts) of theequipment shall be averted.4. Aerial lifts shall not be “field modified” unless the modifications are certified by the manufacturer. Theinsulated portion must not be altered in any manner that might reduce its insulating value.5. Prior to use, the equipment shall be given a warm up period. The hydraulic system and the lift controls shall

be checked and tested daily before use to positively determine that such features is in safe operable workingcondition. Malfunctions or unsafe operational conditions will be reported. Equipment, which is not inproper operational condition, will not be used.6. Lower level controls will not be operated unless permission has been obtained from the employee in the lift,except in the case of an emergency only. Ground controls shall be positive override.7. The truck shall not be moved unless the boom is lowered, the basket cradled and secured, and the outriggersretracted.8. Employees shall not ride in the bucket while the truck is traveling.9. When employees are in the bucket of an aerial lift, the emergency brake of the vehicle must be set. Wheelchocks or outriggers shall be used to provide added protection. When the vehicle is on an incline, wheelchocks shall be used regardless of whether or not outriggers are used. The truck should sit approximatelylevel when viewed from the rear.10. When outriggers are used, they must be set on a solid surface, or on pads.11. Employees shall not belt to an adjacent pole or structure. When working from an aerial lift, a harness or abody belt will be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom. A body belt can only be used for fall restraint,not fall arrest.12. Safety rules governing the use of hot-one tools, rubber goods, personal protective equipment, and generalsafe practices shall also apply to work done from aerial baskets. (Exception: Performing “live-line barehand”work.)13. When a boom must be maneuvered on a street or highway, all of the necessary precautions shall be taken toeliminate accidents with traffic and pedestrians.14. The operator must always face in the direction in which the basket is moving and he must be able to see thatthe path of the boom or basket is clear when it is being moved.15. Employees shall not stand or sit on top of the edge of the basket or on ladders placed in the basket.Employees’ feet shall be on the floor the entire time that he/she is in the basket.16. Employees shall not wear climbers while in the basket.17. When two workers are in the basket(s), one of them shall be designated to operate the controls. Oneemployee shall give all signals, which shall be thoroughly understood by all persons concerned.18. When two line workers are working from the basket, care shall be taken to eliminate one man contactingpoles, crossarms, or other grounded or live equipment while the second line worker is working on equipmentat a different potential.19. In no case shall more than one energized conductor or phase be worked at on time.20. Clearances. The aerial lift, together with the workers in the basket, and all tools and equipment mustmaintain proper clearances from unprotected energized conductors.21. When using hydraulic or pneumatic tools in a bucket, the operator shall be sure that hoses or lines do notbecome entangled in the operational controls.22. All aerial devices shall be equipped with suitable flashing warning lights.23. All controls must have protective guards to prevent accidental operation of the controls.

24. Periodic electrical tests shall be made of the boom insulation and aerial basket liners.25. Equipment or material shall not be passed between a pole or structure and an aerial lift while an employeeworking from the basket is within reaching distance of unprotected, energized conductors or equipment.26. When used near energized conductors or equipment, vehicles shall be properly grounded or barricaded.Ground crews must not touch the vehicle until it is safely clear of energized conductors.__________________________________________Date

Aerial Lift SafetyHazard AlertAbout 26 construction workers die each year from using aerial lifts. More than half of the deaths involveboom-supported lifts, such as bucket trucks and cherry pickers; most of the other deaths involve scissorlifts. Electrocutions, falls, and tipovers cause most of the deaths. Other causes include being caughtbetween the lift bucket or guardrail and object (such as steel beams or joists) and being struck by fallingobjects. (A worker can also be catapulted out of a bucket, if the boom or bucket is struck by something.)Most of the workers killed are electrical workers, laborers, painters, ironworkers, or carpenters.

Before Operating an Aerial LiftCheck operating and emergency controls, safety devices (such as, outriggers and guardrails), personal fallprotectiongear, wheels and tires, and other items specified by the manufacturer. Look for possible leaks(air, hydraulic fluid, and fuel-system) and loose or missing parts.Check where the lift will be used. Look for a level surface that won’t shift. Check the slope of the groundor floor; do not work on steep slopes that exceed slope limits listed by the manufacturer. Look forhazards, such as, holes, drop-offs, bumps, and debris, and overhead power lines and other obstructions.Set outriggers, brakes, and wheel chocks – even if you’re working on a level slope.Your employer should:• Provide required manuals to operators and maintenance mechanics.• Be sure operators and mechanics are trained by a qualified person experienced with the model of aeriallift.*Using An Aerial Lift• Always close lift platform chains or doors.• Stand on the floor of the bucket or lift platform. Do not climb on or lean over guardrails.• Do not exceed manufacturer’s load-capacity limits (including the weight of such things as bucket linersand tools).• If working near traffic, set up work-zone warnings, like cones and signs.To prevent electrocutions:• Non-electrical workers must stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines.• Electrical workers must de-energize/insulate power lines or use proper personal protective equipmentand tools.• Insulated buckets protect from electrocution due to electric current passing through you and the boomto ground. An insulated bucket does not protect if there’s another path to ground – for instance, if youtouch another wire.To prevent falls:To help keep workers inside guardrails or in buckets, OSHA requires either a full-body harness or apositioning device on bucket trucks or boom-supported lifts. OSHA accepts a positioning device (belt) witha short lanyard, if there is an anchorage inside the bucket.**––––––*OSHA says a qualified person...by extensive knowledge, training, and experience can...solve...problems related to the subjectmatter.... A competent person is...capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards...and has authorization to take promptmeasures to eliminate them.To prevent tipovers:Check the manufacturer’s instructions.

• Do not drive with the lift platform elevated (unless the manufacturer says that’s OK).• Do not exceed vertical or horizontal reach limits or the specified load-capacity of the lift.• On an elevated scissor lift, avoid too much pushing or pulling.TrainingOSHA says a qualified person must train all users. The training must include:• Any electrical, fall, and falling-object hazards.• Procedures for dealing with hazards.• How to operate the lift correctly (including maximum intended load and load capacity). The user mustshow he/she knows how to use the lift.• Manufacturer requirements.If the hazards change, the type of aerial lift changes, or a worker is not operating a lift properly, workersmust be retrained.Maintenance and InspectionsDe-energize and lockout/tagout aerial lifts before any maintenance or repairs (see CPWR’s hazard alertcard, Lockout/Tagout Safety).Each aerial lift must be inspected as the manufacturer requires – every 3 months or after 150 hours of use,whichever comes first. And the owner of a lift must do a detailed yearly inspection, as required by themanufacturer.You Should KnowMany construction contractors rent aerial lifts instead of buying them. So you may not know whichmodel you will be using, even though operator controls and other key features differ on each model.Also, you may not know the maintenance history of the lift.The dealer or company renting out the lift should:• Be sure the lift is properly inspected and serviced before rental.• Provide operator and maintenance manuals and maintenance history.• Make sure the operator controls are easy to reach and properly marked.Your employer should:• Be sure an aerial lift is not modified without written permission of the manufacturer.• Be sure an aerial lift is used only under conditions approved by the manufacturer.• Be sure proper personal fall-protection is provided and used.For more information, call your local union, the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR) (301-578-8500 or www.cpwr.com), NIOSH (1-800-356-4674, or www.cdc.gov/niosh), or OSHA (1-800-321-OSHA or www.osha.gov) or go to www.elcosh.org.––––––**OSHA regulates scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds and does not require personal fall-protection on them, if there are guardrails.© 2004, The Center to Protect Workers’ Rights. All rights reserved. CPWR is a research, development, and training arm of the Building andConstruction Trades Dept., AFL-CIO: CPWR, Suite 1000, 8484 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. (Edward C. Sullivan is president of theBuilding and Construction Trades Dept. and of CPWR and Sean McGarvey is secretary treasurer.) Production of this card was supported by grant1U54OH008307 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and grants U45- ES09764 and U45-ES06185 from the National

Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the officialviews of NIOSH or NIEHS. (8/4/05)

Aerial Lift Safety

 

 

 

 1.0    Purpose

The purpose of this guidance document is to provide standard operating practices and procedures for the safe operation of aerial lifts at the International Paper – Franklin Mill facility.

2.0    Scope

This guidance applies to all International Paper operations that require employees and/or contractors to access elevated  work locations using aerial lifts (aerial work platforms). 

3.0    Responsibilities

3.1 Site contractor managers shall ensure contractor adherence  to the requirements outlined in this procedure.

3.2  Individuals shall not operate aerial lifts unless equipment-specific training has been received and proficiency verified this includes annual refresher training).  Operators shall comply with the requirements of this procedure.

3.3 Supervisors shall enforce adherence to this procedure.

4.0    Definitions

4.1 Aerial Lift – A mobile device with extendable or telescopic boom and/or articulating arm designed to position personnel, tools and/or material in elevated locations, also referred to as aerial work platforms.  Aerial lifts for the purposes of this procedure shall also include scissor and/or other vertical lifts.  

4.2 Articulating boom – An aerial device with two or more hinged boom sections.

4.3 Authorized personnel (person) – Personnel trained as assigned to operate an aerial lift.

Purpose DefinitionsScope ReferencesResponsibilities                               

Procedures                               

4.4 Boom – An elevating member, the lower end of which is attached to a rotating or non rotating base that permits elevation.

4.5 Bucket truck – An aerial lift for the purpose of elevating personnel, that is mounted on a truck

4.6 Chassis – The integral part of the aerial platform that provides mobility and support for the elevating assembly.

4.7 Cherry picker – A term used to describe a class of non telescoping aerial boom lifts.  Cherry pickers usually have solid walled, single man baskets.

4.8 Directional controls – Controls that initiate functions that affect movement of the platform or the aerial platform.

4.9 Elevating work platform – A device designed to elevate a platform in a vertical axis (vertical tower, scissor lift).

4.10 Extendable boom platform – An aerial device except ladders, with an extendable boom.  Telescopic booms with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extendable booms.

4.11 Genie Lift™ – a Genie Lift refers to this company’s mobile, extensible boom lift (an aerial lift).

4.12 Ground Man – A person designated to monitor conditions to ensure the safety of the mobile elevated work platform.  See Section 6.2 for additional requirements for the ground man.

4.13 Guardrail system – A vertical barrier erected to prevent personnel form falling to lower levels.

4.14 Instability – A condition of an aerial platform in which the sum of the moments that tend to overturn the unit exceeds the sum of the moment tending to resist overturning.

4.15 JLG® – a JLG lift refers to this company’s mobile aerial work platform (an aerial lift).

4.16 Mobile Elevated Work Platform – A general term used for scissor lift, aerial platform or an extendable or articulating boom aerial device, either self propelled or vehicle mounted used for the sole purpose of positioning personnel, their tools and necessary material to elevated work locations to complete a specific task.  Not included in this definition are ladder stands, scaffolds or industrial trucks.

4.17 Outriggers – Devices that increase the stability of the aerial platform and are capable of lifting and leveling the aerial platform.

4.18 Operator – A trained person who controls the movement of the aerial platform.

4.19 Platform – Any personnel carrying device, such as a bucket, basket, cage, stand or tub that is a component of a mobile elevated work platform.                                                              4.20 Pre-use inspection – A thorough equipment and area inspection conducted prior to each shift and before putting a mobile elevated work platform into service.                                 4.21 Qualified mechanic shall be one who has received training, instruction or a certificate from the aerial lift manufacture or manufacturer’s representative to conduct aerial lift mechanical inspections.  Qualified mechanics may include manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative personnel, IP employees or IP contractors.

4.22 Qualified trainer shall be one who has knowledge, training and experience with aerial lifts proficient enough to train others on the safe use and operation of these devices.  Qualified trainers may include the manufacturer or manufacturer’s representative personnel, IP employees, or IP contractors

4.23 Scissor lift – A mobile elevated work platform that only operates in the up and down position but travels in the direction of forward and reverse. 

4.24 Stabilizers – Devices that increase the stability of the aerial platform but are not capable of lifting or leveling the aerial platform.

5.0    References

5.1 International Paper Aerial Lift Safety Guidance Document

5.2 International Paper – Franklin Mill “Mobile Equipment Tagout” procedure

5.3 International Paper – Franklin Mill “Mobile Equipment Operator certification” procedure

5.4 International Paper – Franklin Mill “Incident Investigation” procedure

5.5 OSHA 29 CFR 1926. 452, 453, 550 and 29CFR 1910.67

5.6 OSHA CPL 02-01-023 – CPL 2-1.23 – Inspection Procedures for Enforcing Subpart L, Scaffolds Used in Construction – 29 CFR 1926.450-454. 

[Note: this Directive erroneously states that scissors lifts are addressed under 29 CFR 1926.453 (Aerial lifts).  OSHA corrected this with an Interpretation Letter dated 8/01/2000, which states that scissor lifts are addressed as mobile scaffolds under 29 CFR 1926.452 (w) as such an exemption is provided for fall protection PPE if guardrails are in place.]

5.7 ANSI Standards

A92.2 (R 2001) – Standard Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Lift DevicesA92.3 (R 2006) – Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial PlatformsA92.5 (R 2006) – Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms

A92.6 (R 2006) – Self-propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms  5.8 ISO Standards

ISO 18893:2004 – Mobile elevating work platforms – Safety principles, inspections, maintenance and operationISO 18878:2004 – Mobile elevating work platforms – Operator (driver) training

6.0    Procedure

6.1 General Requirements for Aerial Lifts

6.1.1 Aerial lifts shall be operated in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures.  Operators must read and understand the operator’s manual (operating manual(s) must be located on the aerial lift platform), follow all labels, warnings and instructions displayed on the aerial lift platform, follow all safety rules and comply with any safety-related bulletins received from the manufacturer or supplier.   In addition, any repairs must meet manufacturer’s specifications and any modifications made to equipment must be certified in writing by the manufacturer as acceptable or approved (including the mounting of attachments to hold tools or material).

6.1.2 A pre-job safety hazard assessment shall be conducted prior to each aerial lift use. The pre-job safety hazard assessment must be reviewed with all affected personnel.

6.1.3 Three (3) distinct inspections shall be performed and documented for aerial lifts:

6.1.3.1 Pre-delivery inspection shall be conducted by the manufacturer, lessor or equipment supplier, prior to first use, with a copy of this inspection kept on file by the receiving/owning department.  Existing units on the effective date of this procedure are exempt from this requirement. 

6.1.3.2 Pre-use inspection shall be conducted by the operators or users prior to each use or at the beginning of each shift to include a visual inspection and functional test.  Operators shall report any defects found to their supervisor immediately, and the defective equipment removed from service using the site Mobile Equipment Tagout procedure.  The equipment operator’s supervisor shall ensure the pre-use inspection is complete and any deficiencies identified have been corrected prior to use

6.1.3.3 Annual equipment inspection shall be conducted (full mechanical inspection and operational test) shall be conducted by the manufacturer’s representative, or by a qualified mechanic in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications.  The period between annual inspections is not to exceed 13 months.

6.1.4 Training for all individuals who operate aerial lifts shall be conducted by a qualified trainer.  Training shall be conducted before initial use and retraining shall be conducted every (3) years.   More frequent training may be conducted as required, for example, after an incident, near miss, close call or when an operator has been observed to have been operating the lift in an unsafe manner.  Training shall be

specific for the type, make and model of equipment. Training shall consist of classroom instruction, written examination, as well as hands-on proficiency assessment.

6.1.5 Personal protective equipment (PPE) shall be worn by operators of aerial equipment.  All personnel shall wear an approved hard hat and a fall restraint system which includes a full body harness with a lanyard attached to the manufacturer’s-specified platform anchorage or attachment point when working in the aerial lift.  The lanyard must be of an appropriate length (e.g., 3 feet) to restrain or keep the occupant within the basket, bucket or platform.   In scissor lifts and aerial lifts that telescope vertically and do not articulate, occupants are protected by standard guardrails, but a fall restraint system may also be used if an anchorage or attachment point is specifically provided by the manufacturer.  Under no circumstance is an occupant allowed to tie-off or attach to the guardrail of a scissor lift or other vertical lift.    The occupant must never attach their personal fall protection equipment to any part of a building, structure or other piece of equipment unless approved to transfer to that structure.  During this transfer maneuver 100% tie-off is required. 

6.1.6 Aerial lift operators and ground men may wear “high visibility” vests or jackets, however, the vests/jackets are not required.

6.1.7 All incidents, including near misses, associated with aerial lifts shall be investigated using the standard mill incident investigation form.  The investigation shall include a post-incident mechanical inspection of the device if an equipment malfunction is suspected as a contributing cause to the incident, or if the reason exists to suspect the equipment was damaged during the incident.

6.1.8 All outriggers, extendable axles, or oscillating axles (where provided) shall be used.  These devices shall be fully extended, locked into place and brakes firmly set before personnel are elevated (even if on level ground).  If the task to be performed requires setting up on an incline, chocks shall be installed behind each wheel (provided it is safe to do so).  

6.1.9 Personnel may leave the elevated platform of aerial manlifts as long as the manlift is shut-down and secured.  Double lanyards attached to the harnesses must be utilized while transferring between platform and outside structures.  Personnel may NOT leave an elevated scissorslift .  If personnel need to leave the elevated scissorslift to access the task, then they need an extension ladder, not a scissorslift. The scissorslift is an elevated work platform-not an elevator!

6.1.10 Operators shall set up a proper work zone around aerial lifts using barricades, signs, caution tape, cones, flags, or flashing lights, as needed to protect others in the vicinity of the work or to establish a safe path for the aerial lift to travel.

6.2 Ground Man for Aerial Lift Operations

The ground man is an individual who has received sufficient instructions on the “ground control” operations of an aerial manlift or scissorslift to operate the ground controls to bring the elevated platform down safely, and who can also communicate

with the operator to insure safe use of the lift. The ground man shall be dedicated to this task, during times of aerial equipment operation when the ground man is needed.

Task involving the use of aerial lifts will require a “Toolbox/Tailgate Meeting” to conduct a pre-job safety hazard assessment.  Also during this time, the need for a ground man shall be discussed and agreed upon between the aerial lift operator and his supervisor. 6.2.1 No ground man is needed.

6.2.2 A ground man is needed but does not need to be a licensed operator.  This ground man shall receive sufficient instruction to operate the ground controls to bring the platform down safely in an emergency.  Examples include the following:

 Operator has restricted visibility (eg, cannot see the aerial lift wheels, adjacent hazards, or how to navigate area)

 Aerial Lift is being operated in congested area.  Operator cannot observe hazards in travel path (eg, holes, curbs, docks,

uneven ground)  Aerial lift is being operated in close proximity to facility equipment,

systems, structures.

6.2.3 A licensed ground man is needed.  This ground man is a licensed operator on the platform being used. A licensed ground man shall always be used during the following ‘critical’ tasks:

Opening Dangerous Systems  Unplugging equipment or piping containing hazardous substances  “Hot Tap” work  Working on Energized Electrical Systems requires a “Qualified Electrician”

as a licensed ground man.

6.3 Safety Precautions for Pre-Job Safety Hazard Assessments and/or Operator Training Programs

• NEVER operate an aerial lift unless all decals, labels, instructions, symbols (e.g., up or down arrows) are in clearly visible and understandable.

• No more than two (2) persons shall occupy the platform at any one time, unless the manufacturer approves the additional person(s).

• Under all moving conditions, the operator shall limit speed according to the conditions of the ground surface, congestion, visibility, slope, location of other personnel, equipment and other factors that may cause hazards of collision or injury to personnel.

• NEVER travel (speed other than SLOW or CRAWL) with the boom in the elevated position (it must be in the horizontal position when traveling) or with a scissor lift fully extended.

• Any positioning while the platform is elevated shall be conducted in the SLOW or CRAWL mode. 

• No more than one (1) person shall occupy the platform when traveling at a speed other than in the SLOW or CRAWL mode.

• NEVER travel (speed other than SLOW or CRAWL) near drop-offs, docks, curbs or holes.

• NEVER crawl or move in the slow mode near drop-offs, docks, curbs or holes without a safety spotter present.

• NEVER let workers position themselves between the rails of a basket or scissorlift and overhead hazards, such as joists, beams, or pipes.

• NEVER climb up to or down from an extended platform.

• Aerial lift upper controls must be protected to prevent inadvertent activation (e.g., properly guarded).

• Avoid excessive horizontal forces when working on elevated aerial lifts.

• Ensure the load and its distribution on the platform and any platform extension is in accordance with the manufacture’s rated capacity.

• Ensure that any guardrails are in place and access gates, chains or openings are closed per the manufacturer’s instructions.

• NEVER operate an aerial lift in wind over 25 mph or when thunder can be heard or lightning seen.

• NEVER operate an aerial lift in any manner on grades, slopes or ramps exceeding what it is rated for by the manufacturer.

• NEVER operate the aerial lift in an unsafe or reckless manner.  Stunt driving and Horseplay are prohibited.

If reversing the device does not free the unit all personnel should be safely removed before attempting to free the device using the lower controls.

• NEVER use step ladders or similar aides on the platform to provide additional reach or height.

• NEVER stand on railings or planks, lean over railings or climb out of the basket or platform onto another surface or structure (unless 100% tied off).  Two feet on the platform floor at all times.

• NEVER override hydraulic, mechanical or electrical safety devices.

• NEVER lift equipment or material with the aerial lift (never use as a crane or hoist).  Aerial lifts are designed only to lift personnel and their tools.

• Except in a case of an emergency, ground controls shall not be operated on an

occupied lift (lift occupant shall be in full control of the lift at all times).   • When maintenance is performed on aerial lifts they shall be properly locked-out and properly blocked up prior to working underneath it to prevent the platform from falling. 

• NEVER operate aerial lifts near electrical power lines or energized equipment unless the lines have been de-energized or adequate clearance is maintained in accordance with the table below [taken from 29 CFR 1926.550 (Cranes and Derricks) and the ANSI A92 series].  Non-electrical workers must stay at least 10 feet (3.05 meters) from all energized lines; electrical workers must de-energize/insulate energized lines or use proper PPE/tools

Voltage Range(Phase to Phase) Minimum Separation Distance 

Feet   Meters Less than 50 kV  10 3.0550 kV to 200 kV  15 4.60200 kV to 350 kV  20 6.40350 kV to 500 kV  25 7.62500 kV to 750 kV  35 10.67750 kV to 1000 kV  45 13.72

[Note: insulated aerial lift buckets (used near power lines) have special electrical test requirements (see ANSI A92.2)]

• Fueling and battery charging of aerial lifts shall be done in well-ventilated areas free of flame, sparks or other hazards that may cause a fire or explosion.

• All aerial lifts must be secured (e.g., key locked safely away) when not in use to prevent unauthorized use. 

• Only tools, parts or any other materials which can be evenly distributed and that can be safely handled by a person(s) should be brought into the bucket or onto the working platform.  Tools, parts or material shall not be dropped or thrown from the bucket or platform. When using welding or heating equipment from the bucket or platform, the vehicle shall be protected from sparks and slag.  Care shall be taken to prevent rope, electric cords, and hoses from becoming entangled in the aerial lift device.  Keep flammable liquids away from aerial lifts.

• When using an aerial lift above or near an overhead hoist or crane, the overhead hoist or crane must be properly locked out.

• Ensure the platform has been fully lowered at the end of the completed task and de-energized.

• Only devices approved for lifting personnel shall be used as aerial lifts.  Loaders, forklifts or other material lift devices shall NOT be used to transport employees to elevated locations nor used as work platforms.  Forklifts and cranes may ONLY be used with approved personnel baskets.

• Know what to do in the case of an emergency when operating aerial lifts (e.g., how to summon for help).

Hazard Alert - Aerial Lift Safety

CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training

About 26 construction workers die each year from using aerial lifts. More than half of the deaths involve boom-supported lifts, such as bucket trucks and cherry pickers; most of the other deaths involve scissor lifts. Electrocutions, falls, and tipovers cause most of the deaths. Other causes include being caught between the lift bucket or guardrail and object (such as steel beams or joists) and being struck by falling objects. (A worker can also be catapulted out of a bucket, if the boom or bucket is struck by something.) Most of the workers killed are electrical workers, laborers, painters, ironworkers, or carpenters.

Before Operating an Aerial Lift

Check operating and emergency controls, safety devices (such as, outriggers and guardrails), personal fallprotection gear, wheels and tires, and other items specified by the manufacturer. Look for possible leaks (air, hydraulic fluid, and fuel-system) and loose or missing parts.

Check where the lift will be used. Look for a level surface that won’t shift. Check the slope of the ground or floor; do not work on steep slopes that exceed slope limits listed by the manufacturer. Look for hazards, such as, holes, drop-offs, bumps, and debris, and overhead power lines and other obstructions.

Set outriggers, brakes, and wheel chocks – even if you’re working on a level slope.

Your employer should: Provide required manuals to operators and maintenance mechanics.

Be sure operators and mechanics are trained by a qualified person experienced with the model of aerial lift.*

Using An Aerial Lift Always close lift platform chains or doors. Stand on the floor of the bucket or lift platform. Do not climb on or lean over

guardrails. Do not exceed manufacturer’s load-capacity limits (including the weight of

such things as bucket liners and tools). If working near traffic, set up work-zone warnings, like cones and signs.

To prevent electrocutions: Non-electrical workers must stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power

lines. Electrical workers must de-energize/insulate power lines or use proper

personal protective equipment and tools. Insulated buckets protect from electrocution due to electric current passing

through you and the boom to ground. An insulated bucket does not protect if there’s another path to ground – for instance, if you touch another wire.

To prevent falls:

To help keep workers inside guardrails or in buckets, OSHA requires either a full-body harness or a positioning device on bucket trucks or boom-supported lifts. OSHA accepts a positioning device (belt) with a short lanyard, if there is an anchorage inside the bucket.**

To prevent tipovers:

Check the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not drive with the lift platform elevated (unless the manufacturer says

that’s OK). Do not exceed vertical or horizontal reach limits or the specified load-capacity

of the lift. On an elevated scissor lift, avoid too much pushing or pulling.

Training

OSHA says a qualified person must train all users. The training must include: Any electrical, fall, and falling-object hazards. Procedures for dealing with hazards. How to operate the lift correctly (including maximum intended load and load

capacity). The user must show he/she knows how to use the lift. Manufacturer requirements.

If the hazards change, the type of aerial lift changes, or a worker is not operating a lift properly, workers must be retrained.

Maintenance and Inspections

De-energize and lockout/tagout aerial lifts before any maintenance or repairs (see

CPWR's hazard alert card, Lockout/Tagout Safety ).

Each aerial lift must be inspected as the manufacturer requires – every 3 months or after 150 hours of use, whichever comes first. And the owner of a lift must do a detailed yearly inspection, as required by the manufacturer.

You Should Know

Many construction contractors rent aerial lifts instead of buying them. So you may not know which model you will be using, even though operator controls and other key features differ on each model. Also, you may not know the maintenance history of the lift.

The dealer or company renting out the lift should: Be sure the lift is properly inspected and serviced before rental. Provide operator and maintenance manuals and maintenance history. Make sure the operator controls are easy to reach and properly marked.

Your employer should: Be sure an aerial lift is not modified without written permission of the

manufacturer. Be sure an aerial lift is used only under conditions approved by the

manufacturer. Be sure proper personal fall-protection is provided and used.

For more information, call your local union, CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) (301- 578-8500 or www.cpwr.com), NIOSH (1-800-356-4674, or www.cdc.gov/niosh), or OSHA (1-800- 321-OSHA or www.osha.gov) or go to www.elcosh.org.

*OSHA says a qualified person...by extensive knowledge, training, and experience can...solve...problems related to the subject matter.... A competent person is...capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards...and has authorization to take prompt measures to eliminate them.

**OSHA regulates scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds and does not require personal fall-protection on them, if there are guardrails.

This paper appears in the eLCOSH website with the permission of the author and/or copyright holder and may not be reproduced without their consent. eLCOSH is an information clearinghouse. eLCOSH and its sponsors are not responsible for the accuracy of information provided on this web site, nor for its use or misuse.

© 2004, CPWR – Center for Construction Research and Training. All rights reserved.

CPWR is a research, development, and training arm of the Building and Construction Trades Dept., AFL-CIO: CPWR, Suite 1000, 8484 Georgia Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910. (Edward C. Sullivan is president of the Building and Construction Trades Dept. and of CPWR and Joseph Maloney is secretary treasurer.) Production of this card was supported by grant 1U54OH008307 from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and grants U45- ES09764 and U45-ES06185 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. The contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of NIOSH or NIEHS.