Today, we’re going to talk about aerial lifts, which are vehicle-mounted devices designed to lift workers to new heights. These versatile machines come in various forms such as extendable boom platforms, aerial ladders, articulating boom platforms, vertical towers, and many combinations of these.
Aerial lifts have become the go-to solution on job sites, replacing traditional ladders and scaffolding thanks to their mobility and flexibility. These lifts can be made from metal, fiberglass-reinforced plastic, or other materials and can be either powered or manually operated. They’re considered aerial lifts regardless of whether they can rotate around a primarily vertical axis or not.
Unfortunately, many workers suffer injuries or even lose their lives each year while using aerial lifts. That’s why it’s crucial to understand and follow safety guidelines provided by OSHA. This information aims to help employers and workers recognize and avoid the hazards they may encounter while using aerial lifts. So, let’s get started and ensure everyone stays safe out there!
Hazards You Might Encounter
Some hazards that could lead to injury or death while using aerial lifts include falls from elevated levels, objects falling from lifts, tip-overs, ejections, structural failures, electric shocks, entanglements, and contact with objects or ceilings.
When using aerial lifts, it’s important to be aware of the hazards that could cause injury or even death. Here’s a list of potential dangers you need to watch out for:
- Falling from an elevated level
- Objects falling from the lift
- Lifts tipping over
- Workers being ejected from the lift platform
- Structural failures, like collapses
- Electric shocks or electrocutions
- Entanglement hazards with equipment or surroundings
- Contact with nearby objects, and
- Collisions with ceilings or other overhead structures
By being mindful of these hazards, you’ll be better prepared to keep yourself and your fellow workers safe while operating aerial lifts.
Training for Aerial Lift Operations
Only trained and authorized people should operate aerial lifts. Training should cover various topics, such as electrical, fall, and falling object hazards, dealing with hazards, recognizing unsafe conditions, correct lift operation, inspection procedures, and the manufacturer’s requirements.
Remember, only those who are properly trained and authorized should be using this equipment. A solid training program should cover the following:
- Understanding the risks, such as electrical, fall, and falling object hazards
- Learning how to handle and mitigate these hazards
- Recognizing and avoiding unsafe conditions in your work environment
- Being taught the correct operation of the lift, including maximum intended load and load capacity
- Demonstrating the necessary skills and knowledge to operate an aerial lift before using it on the job
- Knowing when and how to perform inspections, and
- Familiarizing yourself with the manufacturer’s requirements for operation and maintenance
Make sure you’ve got the proper training under your belt before you hop onto that aerial lift.
Retraining for Aerial Lift Operations
Sometimes, you might need a refresher course, and that’s perfectly okay. Retraining is crucial in the following situations:
- If there’s been an accident while using an aerial lift,
- When new workplace hazards involving an aerial lift are identified, or
- When you need to operate a different type of aerial lift than you’re used to.
Additionally, employers must ensure that workers who are seen operating an aerial lift improperly receive retraining. Safety always comes first, so don’t be afraid to brush up on your knowledge and skills when needed.
Pre-Start Inspection – Getting Ready for Aerial Lift Operations
Always conduct a pre-start inspection before each work shift to make sure the equipment and all its components are in tip-top shape. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and check the following:
Vehicle components:
- Proper fluid levels (oil, hydraulic, fuel, and coolant)
- Fluid leaks
- Wheels and tires
- Battery and charger
- Lower-level controls
- Horn, gauges, lights, and backup alarms
- Steering and brakes
Lift components:
- Operating and emergency controls
- Personal protective devices
- Hydraulic, air, pneumatic, fuel, and electrical systems
- Fiberglass and other insulating components
- Missing or unreadable placards, warnings, or operational, instructional, and control markings
- Mechanical fasteners and locking pins
- Cable and wiring harnesses
- Outriggers, stabilizers, and other structures
- Loose or missing parts
- Guardrail systems
If you find any defective components, don’t operate the aerial lift until a qualified person repairs it. Take defective aerial lifts out of service (tag out) until they’re fixed.
Work Zone Inspections:
it’s essential to inspect work zones for hazards before and during aerial lift operation. Employers need to take corrective actions to eliminate any potential dangers. Keep an eye out for:
- Drop-offs, holes, or unstable surfaces like loose dirt
- Inadequate ceiling heights
- Slopes, ditches, or bumps
- Debris and floor obstructions
- Overhead electric power lines and communication cables
- Other overhead obstructions
- Hazardous locations and atmospheres
- High winds or severe weather conditions, such as ice
- The presence of others in close proximity to the work area
Aerial Lift 101 – What to do When Operating an Aerial Lift
Fall Protection:
When you’re using an aerial lift, it’s critical to prioritize fall protection. Follow these steps to keep yourself safe and secure up there:
- Always close access gates or openings.
- Stand firmly on the bucket or lift platform floor.
- Avoid climbing on or leaning over guardrails and handrails.
- Steer clear of using planks, ladders, or other makeshift devices as a work position.
- Wear a body harness or restraining belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or bucket.
- Remember, don’t belt-off to adjacent structures or poles while in the bucket.
Operation/Traveling/Loading:
- First things first, don’t bite off more than your lift can chew. Keep an eye on the combined weight of your workers, tools, and materials – don’t go past the load-capacity limits.
- Remember, an aerial lift is not a crane. Don’t try to use it as one.
- If it’s bigger than the platform, it doesn’t belong up there. Keep objects within the size limits.
- Driving with the lift platform raised? No can do, unless the manufacturer specifically says it’s okay.
- When it comes to lower level controls, ask permission from the worker(s) up in the lift before you touch ’em, unless it’s an emergency situation.
- Keep within the aerial lift’s vertical and horizontal reach limits – no stretching beyond those boundaries.
- Windy day? Don’t operate the lift if the wind’s stronger than what the manufacturer recommends.
- Lastly, don’t go messing with the hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices. They’re there for a reason.
Overhead Protection:
Overhead protection is a key safety factor when you’re operating an aerial lift. Keep these guidelines in mind to stay clear of potential hazards:
- Always be mindful of overhead clearance and objects, like ceilings.
- Avoid positioning aerial lifts between overhead hazards, if you can help it.
- Consider all overhead power lines and communication cables as live, and maintain a safe distance of at least 10 feet (3 meters).
- Coordinate with power utility or power line workers to de-energize power lines close to your work area.
Stay vigilant and keep your head up (while watching out for overhead hazards)!
Stability in the Work Zone:
- Place outriggers on pads or a level, solid surface for stability.
- Engage brakes when you’re using outriggers.
- On sloped surfaces, use wheel chocks for added safety when appropriate.
- Set up work zone warnings like cones and signs to alert others nearby.
Insulated aerial lifts help protect you from electric shocks and electrocution by isolating you from electrical ground. But remember, if there’s another path to ground (like touching another wire), insulation won’t protect you. To keep the insulating device effective, don’t drill holes in the bucket.
Struck-by, Crushed-by, or Caught-in Dangers:
- Set up a clearly marked danger zone around your aerial lift support vehicle.
- Don’t move the equipment while workers are in the elevated platform unless it’s designed for that purpose.
- Keep workers away from overhead hazards like joists and beams to avoid getting trapped and crushed.
Standards to Follow
Several OSHA and ANSI standards apply to aerial lift operation. Make sure you’re familiar with these guidelines to stay safe on the job:
OSHA Standards: 29 CFR 1910.67, 29 CFR 1910.269(p), 29 CFR 1926.21, 29 CFR 1926.453, 29 CFR 1926.502.
American National Standards Institutes standards: ANSI/SIA A92.2-1969, ANSI/SIA A92.3, ANSI/SIA A92.5, ANSI/SIA A92.6.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground today discussing aerial lifts, their versatility, and the importance of safety guidelines provided by OSHA. Aerial lifts have revolutionized job sites with their mobility and flexibility, making it easier than ever to reach new heights. But with great power comes great responsibility. That’s why it’s crucial to follow safety protocols, obtain proper training, and always be aware of potential hazards.
Let’s work together to make aerial lift operation as safe as possible, so everyone goes home in one piece at the end of the day. Remember, safety is a team effort, and being informed is the first step in preventing accidents. Stay safe up there, folks, and happy lifting!
References:
