Weekly Safety Training Topic No. 2624

Aerial lifts

Lifts are commonly used on jobsites, scissor lifts, bucket trucks, and articulating boom lifts are some of the most common.

Each year, construction workers are killed or injured while using this equipment. Common root causes of these incidents include:

• Operator was not using fall protection equipment.
• Operator failed to inspect the lift before use or failed to report faulty equipment.
• Operator electrocuted when the equipment was used near a power line or electrical wires.

Before operating an aerial lift

1. Check operating and emergency controls.
2. Follow manufacturer’s instructions and set outriggers, brakes, and wheel chocks, even if on a level surface.
3. Look for a level surface that will not shift and never exceed the manufacturer’s slope limits.
4. Look for potential hazards such as potholes, bumps, or debris that could cause the lift to tip over.
5. Avoid working near overhead power lines.
6. Close doors and other devices when accessing the lift to complete the guardrail system.
7. Check personal fall protection equipment. If there are signs of damage, request new equipment, use a short lanyard or SRL to avoid being thrown out of the lift.
8. Look for leaking air, hydraulic fluid, and fuel when inspecting and operating equipment.
9. While operating an aerial lift:
   1. Always close lift-platform chains or doors.
   2. Always wear fall arrest equipment with a lanyard attached to a designated anchor point. Use as short of lanyard as possible to prevent ejection from the lift.
   3. Always stand on the floor of the bucket. Do not climb on or lean over the guardrails.
10. DO NOT exceed the load limits.
11. DO NOT drive an aerial lift with the lift extended, unless designed for that purpose.

Additional resource

www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/aerial-lift

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The information and recommendations contained in this “Weekly safety training topic” have been compiled from various sources believed to be reliable and represent the best current opinion on the subject. The Builders, a chapter of the AGC, in no way guarantees, insures or warrants the absolute correctness or sufficiency of any information contained within. The Builders expressly disclaims all liability and assumes no responsibility therewith. For more information, please call 816.55.4158.