FHM TRAINING TOOLS

This training presentation is part of FHMs

commitment to creating and keeping safe
workplaces.

Be sure to check out all the training programs

that are specific to your industry.
Aerial Lift Safety
 Learning Objectives

Objectives:

Learn standard operating

procedures applicable to aerial
lifts

OSHA regulations pertaining to

aerial lifts
 Agenda

Agenda:

Standard Operating Procedures

for Aerial Lifts

OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts

 Section 1

Standard Operating
Procedures for
Aerial Lifts
 Aerial Lifts

ANSI standard definition includes:

Extensible boom platforms

Aerial ladders

Articulating boom platforms

Vertical towers

A combination of any of the above

Scissor lifts do not fall within

any of these categories
 Characteristics of Aerial Lifts

Aerial equipment may be:

Made of metal, wood, fiberglass

reinforced plastic (FRP), or other
material

Powered or manually operated

Deemed to be aerial lifts

 Modifications

Aerial lifts may be "field modified" for other uses if:

Modification has been certified in writing by the

manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity

Conforms with all applicable provisions of ANSI

A92.2-1969

Modification is to be at least as
safe as the equipment was
before modification
 Ladder and Tower Trucks

Requirement for ladder trucks and

tower trucks:

Aerial ladders shall be secured in

the lower traveling position by the
locking device on top of the truck
cab and the manually operated
device at the base of the ladder
before the truck is moved for
highway travel
 Standard Operating Procedures

Standard operating procedures for

extensible and articulating boom
platforms:

Be familiar with the specific unit

you are going to use

Familiarize yourself with the

operating controls on each piece
of equipment before putting it into
use
 Authorized Operators

Only authorized persons shall

operate an aerial lift:

Lift controls shall be tested each

day prior to use to determine that
such controls are in safe working
condition
 Fall Protection

Employees shall stand firmly on the

floor of the basket:

Shall not sit or climb on the edge

of the basket

Shall not use planks, ladders, or

other devices for a work position

While working in a bucket or

basket, workers must wear fall
protection equipment with the
lanyard connected to an anchor
point on the boom or
bucket/basket
 Load Capacity

Boom and basket load limits:

Shall not exceed manufacturer

specified limits
 Positioning

The brakes shall be set and when

outriggers are used:

Outriggers shall be positioned on

pads or a solid surface

Wheel chocks shall be installed

before using an aerial lift on an
incline, provided they can be
safely installed
 Movement

An aerial lift truck:

Shall not be moved when boom is

elevated with men in the basket

Unless specifically designed for

such operation
 Controls

Articulating boom and extensible boom platforms

shall have both platform (upper) and lower
controls:
Upper controls shall be in or beside the platform
within easy reach of the operator
Lower controls shall provide for overriding the
upper control
Controls shall be plainly marked as to their
function
Lower level controls shall not be operated unless
permission has been obtained from the employee
in the lift, except in case of emergency
 Overhead Line Work

Requirements for aerial lift equipment commonly

used in overhead line work:

When operating near energized lines or

equipment, aerial lift equipment must maintain the
minimum approach distance unless the insulated
portion of the aerial lift is operated by a qualified
employee

If necessary, another worker must be a spotter for

the operator to ensure the minimum approach
distance is maintained
 Energized Lines

If the aerial lift could contact energized lines:

Energized lines exposed to contact must be
covered with insulating protective material that
will withstand the type of contact
Aerial lift must be insulated, and uninsulated
portions of the lifts must maintain the minimum
approach distance from live parts
Aerial lift must also be positioned so that
uninsulated portions of the lift cannot come within
the minimum approach distance from the live
parts
Workers must be protected
 Worker Protection

Workers must be protected:

Each piece of equipment must be grounded

Equipment must be bonded together

Ground mats must be used around equipment to

extend the equipotential zone

Insulating protective equipment or barricades

must be used around the equipotential zone

An equipotential zone is a work zone in which the

worker is protected from electric shock
Section 2

The OSHA
Fact Sheet for
Aerial Lifts
 OSHA Fact Sheet

The major causes of

injuries/fatalities involving aerial
lifts:

Falls

Electrocutions

Collapses or tip-overs
 Proper Training and Inspection

Ensure that workers who operate

aerial lifts are properly trained:

Test the controls and inspect the

aerial lift before use each day

Make sure that all controls are

clearly marked as to their function
 Operate According to Instructions

Always stand firmly on the basket floor:

Do not sit or climb on the edge or rails of the

basket

Never use planks, boxes, or other items inside

the basket to extend your reach

Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical

safety devices

Maintain and operate aerial lifts according to the

manufacturer's instructions
 Positioning

Ensure that all wheels of an elevated

lift are on a solid base:

Use outriggers, if provided

Set the brakes and use wheel

chocks when on an incline

Do not exceed the load limits of

the equipment

Allow for the combined weight of

the worker(s), tools, and materials
 Lockout/Tagout

De-energize and lockout/tagout aerial

lifts before performing any
maintenance or repairs.
 Working Near Power Lines

Any conductive object that can be contacted must

be maintained at least 10 feet from overhead lines:

Conductive objects could be wires, transformers,

ducts, pipes, or other equipment

Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet

away from the nearest overhead line

Always treat overhead lines as energized, even if

they are down or appear to be insulated

Never lose awareness of the

overhead hazard
 Struck-by, Crushed-by, or Caught-in Hazards

Establish and clearly mark a danger

zone:

Never move the equipment with

workers in the elevated platform

Do not allow workers to position

themselves between overhead
hazards, and the rails of the
basket
 Fall Protection

Do not allow workers to belt off to an

adjacent pole, structure, or
equipment while working from an
aerial lift:

Use a body harness or positioning

device with a lanyard attached to
the boom or basket to prevent the
worker from being ejected or
pulled from the basket
 Additional Information

Sources of more information:

OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurr
icane_Facts/aerial_lifts.pdf

OSHA Quick Card for Aerial Lifts

http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_Hurr
icane_Facts/aerial_lifts_safety.pdf