FHM TRAINING TOOLS
This training presentation is part of FHM’s
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