Aerial Lift General Requirements

In Virginia, manufacturer's specifications and limitations applicable to the operation, training, use, installation, inspection, testing, repair, and maintenance of all machinery, vehicles, tools, materials, and equipment must be followed. This machine-specific information is contained in the Operator's Manual, and is critical to complying with this law.

Operators must review operating instructions and safety guidelines specified by the manufacturer in the operator's manual for the lift being operated as part of the training and certification process. 

Servicing and maintenance should be in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations, and may require a qualified technician for certain maintenance or repairs. Operator's manuals must be available to operators in a weather-proof container on the lift.

Modifications to aerial lifts are not permitted without the expressed written permission of the manufacturer.

Lifts must be inspected prior to use each day for general damage and defects which may affect the integrity or operation of the equipment. This should be performed before the lift is taken to the work location in order to identify potential issues prior to use. Report any defect to your supervisor, tag the lift "Out of Service" at the controls, and do not use the lift until repairs have been completed by a qualified technician. Inspection criteria for the lift is found in the operator's manual, and generally includes looking for:

• Damaged, loose, or missing parts, including the guardrail system;
• Check the tire inflation, if applicable;
• Check the fuel level or charge of the battery;
• Look for air, hydraulic, or fuel system leaks;
• Loose hoses or wires; 
• Steering and brakes functioning properly; 
• Ensure the operating controls are working properly;
• Ensure the auxiliary (ground) controls are working properly; and
• Check the battery fluid, hydraulic reservoir, and coolant levels, if applicable.

Operators must be familiar with the maximum lifting capacity of their lift. It should be indicated on the lift itself, and may be expressed as the maximum weight to be applied to a platform, and/or the maximum number of people permitted on the platform.

Refer to the Operator's Manual for maximum capacity if it is not indicated directly on the lift.  Always be familiar with the limitations of the lift you will be operating.

Do not exceed the maximum capacity. When determining the load being applied to the lift, estimate 250 pounds per person on the platform, plus the weight of any tools, materials, and equipment that will also be on the platform to ensure limits are not exceeded. If additional personnel and tools/materials are necessary for the task, a larger lift may be necessary, and departments should make arrangements to have one available. Do not put materials on the platform that are larger than the platform.

All lifts designed to the required ANSI standard have fall protection systems incorporated into their design - either an appropriate guardrail system, sufficient basket height, and/or designated anchor points. Some types of lifts (i.e. articulating lifts, boom trucks, and most telescoping lifts - unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer) require the use of personal fall arrest/positioning systems in addtion to the protective system of the platform or basket. Operators must attend Fall Protection User level training where the use of personal fall arrest or postitioning systems are required.

In general:

• Movable chains or bars provided at access points must be attached or properly placed in order to maintain the protective system when the lift is in use. 
• The operator should always be within the protective system (i.e. feet on the floor and not over-reaching beyond the guardrail system). 
• Do not connect (tie-off) to adjacent structures or poles. Always use the designated anchor point provided on the lift.
• Do not exit the platform onto another structure while in an elevated position. Contact Environmental Health & Safety for review if there are extenuating circumstances where this may be necessary.

Fueling or battery charging of the lift should be conducted according to the manufacturer's recommendations and the requirements of the Fire and Life Safety Program. In general, no sparks or open flames in the area, and adequate ventilation must be available.

The working height of a lift should never be extended by standing on makeshift devices or mid-rails, sitting on the top rail of the platform or bucket, or using ladders. The guardrail system or bucket can only protect personnel if they are within the boundaries of the system. If a lift with a greater reach is necessary, departments should make arrangements to have one available.

When the lift will be operated on construction sites, or in areas where there are overhead structures, class "G" or "E" hard hats must be worn. Where overhead, high voltage, electrical hazards are present, class "E" hard hats must be worn. Hard hats must comply with requirements specified in the Personal Protective Equipment Program.