Office of Risk Management and Environmental Health and Safety
May 2015

Contents ........................................................................................................................................ 1
Program Summary ........................................................................................................................ 2
Purpose .......................................................................................................................................... 2
Scope ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Roles and Responsibilities ............................................................................................................ 3
Training Requirements .................................................................................................................. 4
Operation and Use Requirements ............................................................................................. 5
Recordkeeping ............................................................................................................................. 7
Appendix A: Daily Inspection checklist ..................................................................................... 8
Appendix B: Work Area Inspection Checklist ........................................................................... 9
Appendix C: Aerial Lift Operation Agreement ...................................................................... 10
Appendix D: Aerial Lift Key Log ................................................................................................ 11
Appendix E: University-Owned Aerial Lift Equipment Inventory ........................................... 12
Aerial Lift Program | American University 1

All departments with aerial lifts shall ensure that each operator is trained in safe operation of the specific lift(s) that they will be using. All training must be in accordance with this program, manufacturer’s recommendations, OSHA regulations, and ANSI best practices.
Students shall operate or use aerial lift equipment only under the direct and continuous supervision of a competent American University faculty or staff member.
Lift equipment shall be maintained according to the manufacturer’s recommendations and shall at minimum undergo annual inspection of all safety, motorized, hydraulic, and electric systems.
Use of aerial lifts shall be suspended according to inclement weather conditions, lack of specific training, unsatisfactory condition of the equipment, or by the decision of a designated Lift Safety Contact.
American University personnel shall not ride on the lift’s platform while the equipment is in motion.
Operators shall observe all of the manufacturer’s recommended safety practices and national and local safety regulations while operating or using aerial lifts.
American University has developed this program to minimize the likelihood of injury and/or death related to aerial lift use.
This program sets forth policies that must be followed by all community members involved in the maintenance and/or use of University-owned or operated aerial lift equipment. It is predicated on the following standards and regulations:
 OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910 Subpart L
 OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1926 Subpart N
 ANSI A92, B56, A10
In addition to the provisions set forth in this program, all applicable national and District of Columbia regulations must be followed at all times.
This policy applies to all departments and individuals who use University-owned or operated aerial lift equipment.
Aerial lifts covered in this program include any device, vehicle mounted or manually propelled, telescoping or articulating, or both, which is used to position personnel above six feet in height. Examples of aerial lift devices include, but may not be limited
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to: vehicle mounted aerial lifts/bucket trucks, articulating boom lifts, man lifts/cherry pickers, scissor lifts, and extendable/telescoping aerial lifts.
 Maintain the Aerial Lift Program
 Approve Aerial Lift Training
 Approve Competent Person Status
 Receive and store records from Lift Safety Contacts
 Attend a Lift Safety Train the Trainer course approved by Risk Management
 Attend Lift Safety Trainer refresher training at least every five years
 Train operators in the safe use of lifts
 Schedule lift equipment inspections and maintenance with applicable vendors
 Oversee safe operation of all lift equipment associated with the department
 Oversee equipment security
 Determine when lifts can be safely operated
 Enforce all safety protocols
 Serve as resource to whom the community can report lift-related safety concerns
 Act as a liaison between Risk Management and his/her department
 Help operators monitor real-time weather data
 Ensure initial and annual safety training is given to all operators within their department who use the lift
 Attend lift equipment training for the specific lift he/she is authorized to use by the department’s Lift Safety Contact
 Operate all assigned lift equipment safely
 Maintain security of lift equipment and keys
 Observe all safety precautions set forth by the department safety contact or Risk
Management
 Monitor real-time weather data
 Oversee student use of lift equipment, if applicable
 Obtain approval to use lift equipment from a department supervisor
 Attend aerial lift training for the specific lift the student will be authorized to use
 Use lift equipment only under the guidance of American University Staff
Operators
 Abide by all safe use practices required for the specific lift
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To be designated a Lift Safety Contact, one must have attended a Lift Safety Train-the-
Trainer course approved by Risk Management.
Topics covered in this course minimally include:
 Inspection of potential work areas for hazards
 Operator training
 Operator familiarization
 Equipment pre-start inspection
 Safe operating procedures
 Operator, user, and owner responsibilities
 Lift Safety Contact responsibilities under American University’s Aerial Lift Program
Training of operators must be performed by either their department’s designated Lift
Safety Contact or by the equipment manufacturer/external safety contractor knowledgeable about American University’s aerial lift program and policies.
All employees and students approved to operate aerial lifts shall be trained on the specific lifts that they will use.
Students may not operate lifts without direct and continuous oversight by a faculty/staff operator that has been specifically trained to operate the device in use by the student.
For each specific lift, training will minimally include:
 Inspection of potential work areas for hazards
 Operator training
 Operator familiarization
 Equipment pre-start inspection
 Safe operating procedures
 Operator responsibilities
 Faculty/Staff Operator responsibilities under American University’s Aerial Lift
Program
The trainer will provide documentation to the employee’s supervisor verifying that the employee has successfully completed the training. The employee will also sign the Safe
Lift Operation and Safe Platform Work Practice Agreements. These documents are to be sent to and maintained by the Risk Management office.
Student operators will be provided with safety training pertinent to the student’s activities. Student operators will be provided with the same operator training that employees receive. Student lift operators will sign the portions of the safe operation and safe platform work practice agreement that apply to their activities. The
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department chair or designee will receive copies of student training records. These documents will be maintained by the Risk Management office.
Lift Safety Contacts must attend refresher training approved by Risk Management at least once every five years.
Operator refresher training is required whenever directed by (and at the discretion of) the Lift Safety Contact or Risk Management Environmental Health & Safety.
Inclement weather conditions pose potentially fatal risks to aerial lift operators. If any of the following weather conditions are observed before or while operating a lift outdoors, the use of the lift shall be immediately suspended for at least 30 minutes following the most recent observation of these conditions:
 Wind speeds exceeding 28 mph, or the maximum wind speed listed on the manufacturer’s instructions, whichever is less
 Evidence of lightning in the area, as indicated by a lightning meter or the sound of thunder
 Issuance of severe weather warnings or alerts for the immediate area by the U.S.
National Weather Service
A functioning anemometer must be located on each outdoor lift at all times during use.
Use of a lightning meter is highly recommended.
Purchase and maintenance of weather monitoring devices are the responsibility of the department that owns the lift.
The keys for aerial lifts shall be secured by the Lift Safety Contact(s) responsible for the equipment. Keys may not be left with the devices while not in use.
Trained operators may sign out the key from the Lift Safety Contact, but keys shall not be signed out by students or any untrained individuals. Each time a key is borrowed/returned, the Aerial Lift Key Log must be updated accordingly.
The department’s Lift Safety Contact shall ensure that all devices are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Lift maintenance and inspection records shall be maintained by the department responsible for the lift.
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Each lift will be inspected annually unless the manufacturer recommends more frequent inspections. The annual inspection shall address the equipment’s motorized, hydraulic, electric and safety systems. Inspectors shall affix a signed and dated inspection sticker to the equipment and provide a copy of the inspection findings to the department supervisor or director. These records must be maintained for the life of the equipment. Any aerial lift with an expired inspection or with operational deficiencies shall be removed from service. The device may be placed into service only after the necessary repairs have been made and/or the annual inspection has been completed.
The operator shall conduct a daily inspection of the device for appropriate operational response and platform lift and return prior to engaging in work with the device. If operational or safety deficiencies are discovered in the course of the daily inspections, the operator shall remove the device from use and notify the department supervisor or director. Daily inspection checklists are available in Appendices of this document.
The operator shall conduct a work area inspection of the intended location where the device will be operated to verify that it is free of foreseeable hazards such as debris, floor or overhead obstructions, or the presence of unauthorized personnel.
The work area inspection checklist and the manufacturer’s operating and maintenance manuals for each aerial lift owned by American University are included in the Appendices of this program. Each device will also have a copy of the manufacturer’s manual on the equipment.
Use of aerial lifts shall be suspended immediately when:
 A competent operator is not available
 The lift’s inspection is expired
 The lift has been deemed to be nonoperational or unsafe by a competent operator
 The intended location for work is unsuitable for safe lift operation
 Weather conditions are not conducive to safe outdoor lift operation
Rental equipment vendors shall provide hands-on operation and safety training to operators for each piece of equipment being rented. Only university recognized Lift
Safety Contacts and Faculty/Staff Operators may use rental equipment.
Additionally, the vendor shall provide the American University rental representative with signed and dated records of training as well as a copy of the most recent equipment inspection and maintenance records.
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Contractors using lift equipment under the control of American University (owned or rented) must have pre-approval from the department’s Lift Safety Contact and meet the same training and responsibility requirements as Faculty/Staff operators.
Contractors that bring their own lift equipment on campus shall:
 Perform work activities with accordance to all applicable OSHA and District of
Columbia regulations
 Not permit American University staff or students to operate or use equipment for which specific operational and safety training has not been provided
 Maintain the security of their equipment
 Be responsible for their employees’ personal protective equipment to be used by operators
Contractor use of any lift equipment on American University property, regardless of ownership, is a joint decision between the contracts’ managing department and Risk
Management office. Approval is considered on a case-by-case basis.
All records generated during the course of aerial lift operation will be maintained by the department responsible for the equipment. Inspection and maintenance records shall be held for the life of the equipment.
All training records generated during the course of aerial lift operation shall be forwarded to the Risk Management & Environmental Health & Safety Department.
Training records will be held for a minimum of five years.
All records are subject to review and shall be provided upon request to the department director, supervisor, or Risk Management office.
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The following items must be checked before each shift that the aerial lift is to be used.
Pre-operation Inspection
Operator’s manual is complete, legible and in the storage container located on the platform
All decals are legible and in place
No hydraulic oil leaks and proper oil level
No battery fluid leaks and proper fluid level
Battery cable connections and terminals in good condition (clean if needed)
Structural components, fasteners and pins in place and secure
Side rails are installed and bolts fastened
Chassis trays are in place, latched and properly connected
Electrical components, wiring, and electrical cables in good condition
Hydraulic power unit, tank, hoses, fittings, cylinders and manifolds in good condition
Drive motors in good condition
Wear pads in good condition
Tires and wheels in good condition
Limit switches, alarms and horn operable
Nuts, bolts and other fasteners in good condition
Platform and entry chain in good condition
Platform entry gate in good condition
Beacon and alarms operable
Brake and release components operable
Safety arm functioning
Pothole guards in place
Platform extension in good condition
Aerial pins and retaining fasteners in good condition
Platform control joystick operable
Generator in working condition
Counterweight in good condition
Anemometer present and operable (if outdoors)
Function Tests – Ground Controls
Emergency stop button
Up/Down functions
Auxiliary lowering/manual lowering
Function Tests – Platform Controls
Emergency stop button
Horn
Function enable switch
Up/Down function
Steering
Drive and braking
Limited drive speed
Tilt sensor operation
Pass Fail N/A
Pass Fail N/A
Pass Fail N/A
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Prior to device operation, the workplace must be inspected for hazardous conditions. If any of the following situations are observed, the operator must take measures to them while operating the machine. If the conditions are unavoidable, the machine must not be operated:
 Drop-offs or holes
 Bumps, floor obstructions or debris
 Overhead obstructions or high voltage conductors
 Hazardous locations
 Inadequate surface support to withstand all load forces imposed by the machine
 Wind and weather conditions
 The presence of unauthorized personnel
 Other possible unsafe conditions
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I understand that I am expected to safely operate this lift according to American
University’s policies and procedures, the training I have received, and the manufacturer’s recommendations. I certify that I have received a copy of the operations manual for the aerial lift I have been trained to operator (listed below). I am aware that if, at any time, I have questions or concerns regarding the information found in the user’s manual, I can contact Risk Management, my supervisor, or the manufacturer to obtain answers.
Aerial Lift Make_____________________________ Lift Model____________________________
Name (print)________________________________ Department__________________________
Operator’s Name (sign)___________________________________ Date___________________
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Key ID Name of
Person
Receiving
Key
Company/
Department
Approved
By
Date/Time
Issued
Date/Time
Expected
Return
Date/Time
Returned
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JLG, Model 4069LE (2005) Aerial Lift FM
JLG, Model 01121853 (2002) Electric Ladder FM
JLG, Model 2630ES (2005) Aerial Lift FM
JLG, Model 26583 (2003) Aerial Lift
JLG Model 45A propane gas Articulating Boom Lift FM
Genie AWP-20S Greenberg Theater
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