Aerial Lifts

in
Construction
Aerial lifts for Construction

This material was produced under

grant number SH-05073-SH8 from
the Occupational Safety and Health
Disclaim Administration, U.S.
Department of Labor.
er It does not necessarily reflect the views or
policies of the U.S. Department of Labor, nor
does mention of trade names, commercial
products, or organizations imply
endorsement by the U.S. Government.
Aerial lifts for Construction

• Types of Lifts
Welcome
• Care / Inspections

• Safe Operation
Aerial lifts for Construction

• Types of Lifts
Module-
• Care / Inspections
1
• Safe Operation
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Aerial lifts for Construction -
Types
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Aerial lifts for Construction –
Man Lifts
Man Lifts
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Aerial lifts for Construction –
Scissor Lifts
Scissor Lifts
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Aerial lifts for Construction –
Boom Lifts
Boom Lifts
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Selection of Aerial lifts for
Selection
Construction
When deciding which Aerial Lift to choose for your specific job, the
height and the reach requirements, outdoor or indoor working
environments, and the weight capacity you’ll need for your
particular job will tell you which type of equipment you need.

You will need to train your employees on how to

operate specific types of aerial lifts properly and
safely.
Aerial lifts for Construction

• Types of Lifts
Module-
• Care / Inspections
2
• Safe Operation
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Care & Inspections
Care &
Inspections
ALWAYS Follow
the
Manufacturer's
Instructions for
operations.

Located in the
compartment
you should also
find a list of
items to be
inspected.
 Pre-start Inspection
Pre-start Inspection
Prior to each work shift, conduct a
Aerial lifts for Construction
pre-start inspection to verify that the
equipment and all its components are
in safe operating condition. Follow the
manufacturer's recommendations and
include a check of:

• Operating and Emergency Controls

• The Boom
• Guardrails
• Hydraulic System
• Outriggers
• Emergency Stop Buttons
• Tires
• Safety Guards and Sensors
• Emergency Descent System
 Pre-start Inspection – Part 2 Aerial lifts for Construction
Ensure that the lift is always FULLY CHARGED before each use.
Do you drain the batteries?
Nothing ruins batteries more than running them dead..

Approximately 50%
of premature
battery failures
is caused by the
loss of water for
normal recharging
charging due to the
lack of
maintenance,
evaporation from
high under hood
heat,
Pre-start Inspection – Part 3 Aerial lifts for Construction

Inspect for Hydraulic oil leaks.

DO assess a leak as soon as it is

noticeable.

A minor leak could be a sign of a more

severe problem within your hydraulic
system. Resolving the issue as soon as
possible can help prevent further
performance issues and inefficiencies.
Time is of the essence regarding
hydraulic leaks!
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Pre-start Inspection – Part 4
CAUTION!
DON’T ever use your hand to
check for a hydraulic leak!

Hydraulic fluid can reach

temperatures of 300 degrees
Fahrenheit or higher which would
result in a severe burn if it were to
ever meet your skin.
These leaks can have a velocity of
more than 600 feet per second and
have been known to inject fluid
through the skin, including that
which is covered with thick leather
gloves. Burns such as these would
require immediate medical attention,
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Pre-start Inspection – Part 5

You should routinely inspect all

tires for

Cuts, tears, or missing chunks to the

tread area and sidewalls. Additionally,
solid rubber tires should be frequently
checked to ensure they are completely
bonded to the rim.
Aerial lifts for Construction

• Types of Lifts
Module-
• Care / Inspections
3
• Safe Operation
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation
Start with a Worksite inspection

It is necessary to inspect the work site also. Items to inspect

include:

• The surface on which the lift will be used,

• Hazards that might create dangerous driving conditions,
• Above hazards that may effect personal while the lift is
extended,
• Weather conditions

(Additional inspections may be required by the lift manufacturer.)

 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation - Part 2
Failure to cordon off:

• Aerial lifts have been struck by other

construction equipment or oncoming
traffic when the work
area is not properly marked or
cordoned off.

• Workers can be injured if they

inadvertently
enter an unmarked area and are struck
by falling
material, tools, or debris.

• In unmarked areas, workers can be

injured
by swinging booms and pinched by
scissor
mechanisms
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 3
Make sure that you have received proper
training (both general training and hands-on
practical training)

Thoroughly read the operator’s

manual and safety signs on the
machine, and understand the
function and location of all safety
devices and controls before
beginning operation.

Fatalities caused by falls from

elevation continue to be a leading
cause of death for construction
workers. Please ensure that platform
gates close and or chains are
attached.
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 4

When you have reached your

work area, Push the
Emergency Stop Button, to
be sure the lift does not
move.

Pushing in the Red

Emergency Stop button to
the off position will stop all
functions and turns the
engine off.

Pull out the red Emergency

Stop button to the on
position to run the machine
again.
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 5
 Always watch out for
pedestrian.

 Be sure to beep horn and

clearly communicate your
moves.

 Never allow anyone to climb

the sides of lift.

Ladders must NEVER be used on the platform.

Just one step on the ladder, makes the guard
rails lower and ineffective.
 Trained and Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 6
Authorized
Operators
• Only operate Aerial Lifts if trained and Authorized

• Understand Operating Instructions and Safety rules.

• Receive Hands-on Training from a Qualified Person.

• Know how to Inspect Equipment and Work Area.

• Demonstrate How to Safely Operate Equipment.

• Keep at Least 10 feet Away from Power Lines.

• Never disable a safety or warning device.

 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 7

 Use the Aerial lift

outside only when
weather conditions
are good.

 Scissor lifts rated for

outdoor use are
generally limited to
wind speeds below 28
miles per hour.
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 8
 Weather Factors and Aerial Work Platforms

Weather conditions can adversely affect Aerial Work Platform lifting

activities. They need to be thoroughly considered both during the
planning and execution of a Boom lift or Scissor Lift. Special efforts
may be required to ensure adequate warning is provided to avoid a
sudden storm disrupting a lift in progress.

 WIND
Note: In the absence of manufacturers’ specific written advice, seriously
consider postponing use of the lift if the wind speed/gust is in the range of
15-28 mph. Above 28 mph use of the lift must be canceled.
Is Fall Protection Needed?
Safe Operation – Part 9
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 10
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Safe Operation – Part 11
 In almost every industry, there are areas where
workers are subjected to fall hazards.
When selecting fall protection equipment, three components make up a
complete fall protection system. These are the ABC’s of fall protection:
Anchorage... Body support… Means of
Connection

Each one must be in place and properly used to provide maximum

worker protection.

The connecting device is the most critical link in assembling a

safe fall protection system since it bears the greatest force during a
fall.
 Aerial lifts for Construction

OSHA Standard 1926.503(a)

(1)
Fall The employer shall provide a
Protection training program for each
employee who might
be exposed to fall hazards.
The program shall enable each
employee to recognize the
hazards of falling and shall
train each employee in the
 HIERARCHY OF FALL PROTECTION
HIERARCHY OF FALL PROTECTION

Elimination or Substitution Most Effective

Passive Fall Protection

Active Fall Restraint System
Active Fall Arrest System
Administrative Controls Least Effective
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Personal Fall Arrest
Systems (PFAS)
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
 A PFAS(PFAS)
consists of the following components:

Anchorage Point

Body Harness

Connector
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Personal Fall Arrest
Systems (PFAS) – Part 2
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
 A PFAS(PFAS)
consists of the following components:

Anchorage Point

Body Harness 1926.502(d)(15)

Anchorages used for attachment of personal fall
arrest equipment shall be independent of any
anchorage being used to support or suspend
Connector platforms and capable of supporting at least 5,000
pounds (22.2 kN) per employee attached.
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
(PFAS) – Part 3
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
 A PFAS (PFAS)
consists of the following components:

Anchorage Point

Body Harness OSHA defines a Body Harness as:

“… straps which may be secured about the
employee in a manner that will distribute the fall
arrest forces over at least the thighs, pelvis, waist,
Connector chest and shoulders with means for attaching it to
other components of a personal fall arrest system”
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Personal Fall Arrest
Systems (PFAS) – Part 4
Personal Fall Arrest Systems
 (PFAS)
A PFAS consists of the following components:

Anchorage Point
Connector
The connecting subsystem is the critical link
Body Harness which joins the body wear to the
anchorage/anchorage connector. It can be an
energy-absorbing lanyard, fall limiter, self-
retracting lanyard, rope grab, or retrieval
Connector system. Connecting means will vary depending
on whether the worker is equipped for personal
 Aerial lifts for Construction
Review
 Knowledge
Check
1. What are the three basic types of
lifts used in Construction?
 Knowledge Check –
Part 2
1. What are the three basic types of
lifts used in Construction?

a. Man Lifts
b. Scissor lifts
c. Boom Lifts (articulating
lifts)
 Knowledge Check –
Part 3
2. A Pre-Start inspection should
include….
 Knowledge Check –
Part 4
2. A Pre-Start inspection should include….

a. Operating and Emergency Controls

b. Guardrails
c. Hydraulic System
d. Outriggers
e. Emergency Stop Buttons
f. Tires
g. Safety Guards and Sensors
h. Emergency Descent System
 Knowledge Check – Part
5
When inspecting the work site,
3.
you must also look for what?
 Knowledge Check –
Part 6
When inspecting the work site,
3.
you must also look for what?
a) The surface on which the lift will be used.

b) Hazards that might create dangerous driving

conditions.

c) Above hazards that may effect personal while

the lift is extended.

d) Weather conditions.
 Knowledge Check –
Part 7
4. Is fall protection needed in a
scissor lift?
 Knowledge Check –
Part 8
4. Is fall protection needed in a
scissor lift?

When working at heights,

employees need to be protected
from falling.
On a scissor lift, a fall
protection harness is not required,
provided that the guardrails on
the scissor lift meet the requirements
of the fall protection standard.
 Additional Resources
 OSHA website: http://www.osha.gov and OSHA offices: Call
or Write (800-321-OSHA)

 Compliance Assistance Specialists in the area offices

 National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

(NIOSH) – OSHA’s sister agency

 OSHA Training Institute Education Centers

Standards that Apply 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.