1. 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.

2. Aerial Lift Safety
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Welcome to your Aerial Lift Safety presentation.
This presentation has been specifically developed for employees who operate aerial lifts as part of their job duties.
Please make sure you are in a comfortable setting and able to concentrate as we work our way through this presentation.

3. Learning Objectives Objectives:
Learn standard operating procedures applicable to aerial lifts
OSHA regulations pertaining to aerial lifts
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
We have very specific learning objectives for you during this presentation.
At the conclusion of this presentation, you will:
Be familiar with standard operating procedures applicable to aerial lifts, and
Understand the OSHA regulations pertaining to aerial lifts. 3

4. Agenda Agenda: Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Lifts
OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Our presentation today will involve the following agenda:
Section One will discuss Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Lifts.
Section Two will review the OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts. 4

5. Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Lifts
Section 1
Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Lifts
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Section 1 will cover the Standard Operating Procedures for Aerial Lifts. 5

6. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
The OSHA standard applicable to aerial lifts used in construction is found at 29 CFR
That standard incorporates by reference the definition of aerial lifts used in the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A standard.
Therefore, the requirements in § apply to equipment identified in that 1969 ANSI consensus standard as aerial lifts.
The ANSI standard definition includes the following vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms: "extensible boom platforms," "aerial ladders," "articulating boom platforms," "vertical towers," and "a combination of any of the above.”
Of note is that scissor lifts, including those with platforms that extend beyond the equipment's wheelbase, do not fall within any of these categories.
Therefore, scissor lifts are not addressed by the aerial lift provisions of 6

7. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Aerial equipment may be:
Made of metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), or other material;
May be powered or manually operated;
And are deemed to be aerial lifts whether or not they are capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis. 7

8. 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 A
Modification is to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Aerial lifts may be "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer provided the modification has been certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory, to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of ANSI A and to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification. 8

9. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
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. 9

10. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
The following slides will cover standard operating procedures for extensible and articulating boom platforms.
The most important issue is to be familiar with the specific unit you are going to use.
It is commonplace for this type of equipment to be rented for a particular job.
This means you may be using a different piece of equipment on each job.
It is vital that you familiarize yourself with the operating controls on that piece of equipment before putting it into use.
Let’s review operating procedures applicable to all types of aerial lifts. 10

11. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
A strict policy should be established that 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. 11

12. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Belting off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift shall not be permitted.
Employees shall always stand firmly on the floor of the basket, and shall not sit or climb on the edge of the basket or 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.
Mechanical failures have resulted in buckets flipping or separating from the boom, causing workers to fall. Incidents also have occurred in which line trucks have been struck by passing vehicles, launching a worker out of the bucket. 12

13. Load Capacity Boom and basket load limits:
Shall not exceed manufacturer specified limits
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Boom and basket load limits specified by the manufacturer shall not be exceeded. 13

14. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
The brakes shall be set and when outriggers are used, they 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. 14

15. Movement An aerial lift truck:
Shall not be moved when boom is elevated with men in the basket
Unless specifically designed for such operation
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
An aerial lift truck shall not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position with men in the basket, except for equipment which is specifically designed for this type of operation. 15

16. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Articulating boom and extensible boom platforms, primarily designed as personnel carriers, 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 controls.
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. 16

17. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
There are specific requirements for aerial lift equipment commonly used in overhead line work.
Among these requirements are:
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. 17

18. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
If the aerial lift could contact energized lines, then at least one of the following must be done:
The energized lines exposed to contact must be covered with insulating protective material that will withstand the type of contact that might be made during the operation; or
The aerial lift must be insulated, and uninsulated portions of the lifts must maintain the minimum approach distance from live parts. The aerial lift must also be positioned so that uninsulated portions of the lift cannot come within the minimum approach distance from the live parts; or
Workers must be protected by implementing the requirements on the next slide. 18

19. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Workers protection for work near energized lines includes implementing all of the following:
Each piece of equipment (trucks, trailers, etc.) must be grounded;
All pieces of equipment must be bonded together;
Ground mats must be used around equipment to extend the equipotential zone; and
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 from differences in electric potential between objects in the work area.
These differences in potential can be caused by induced voltage, line reenergization, or lightning.
The worker in an equipotential zone is protected from electric shock because there is a near identical state of electrical potential between any two points on the body. 19

20. The OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts
Section 2
The OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Welcome to Section Two.
In this section, we will cover the OSHA Fact Sheet on aerial lifts. 20

21. OSHA Fact Sheet
The major causes of injuries/fatalities involving aerial lifts:
Falls
Electrocutions
Collapses or tip-overs
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
In reviewing this fact sheet, we will repeat some of the most significant elements discussed in Section One.
This is important to help ensure you are aware of the major hazards associated with aerial lift operation.
The major causes of injuries and fatalities involving aerial lifts are falls, electrocutions, and collapses or tip-overs. 21

22. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Ensure that workers who operate aerial lifts are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment.
Test the controls and inspect the aerial lift before use each day.
Make sure that all controls are clearly marked as to their function. 22

23. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Never override hydraulic, mechanical, or electrical safety devices.
Maintain and operate aerial lifts according to the manufacturer's 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. 23

24. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
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. 24

25. Lockout/Tagout
De-energize and lockout/tagout aerial lifts before performing any maintenance or repairs.
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
De-energize and lockout/tagout aerial lifts before performing any maintenance or repairs. 25

26. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Maintain a minimum clearance of at least 10 feet away from the nearest overhead line.
In addition, 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.
Always treat overhead lines as energized, even if they are down or appear to be insulated. (Qualified power line and communications workers and qualified line-clearance tree trimmers are trained to work closer than 10 feet to a power line.)
Never lose awareness of the overhead hazard. 26

27. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Establish and clearly mark a danger zone around the aerial lift support vehicle.
Never move the equipment with workers in the elevated platform unless the equipment has been specifically designed for this type of operation.
Do not allow workers to position themselves between overhead hazards, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket.
If the basket moves, the worker(s) could become trapped and crushed between the rails and the overhead object. 27

28. 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
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
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. 28

29. Additional Information
Sources of more information:
OSHA Fact Sheet for Aerial Lifts icane_Facts/aerial_lifts.pdf
OSHA Quick Card for Aerial Lifts icane_Facts/aerial_lifts_safety.pdf
Recommended Facilitator Notes: (read the following text out-loud to participants while showing this slide)
Here are sources of additional information on this topic for your continued learning. 29