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Aerial Lift Summary

Applies to:

Information regarding the safe use of telescoping and articulating aerial lifts. The university requires training and certification in aerial lift operation to assure that operators have a basic understanding of related hazards and safe operation of the specific equipment used by the department.

This program applies to all Virginia Tech personnel who operate aerial lifts for work-related purposes. Examples of aerial lifts include:

  • Articulating aerial lifts;
  • Telescoping aerial lifts;
  • Boom trucks; and
  • Scissor lifts (considerd mobile scaffolds by OSHA, but included in Virgnia Tech's Aerial Lift Safety Program).

Requirements

Aerial Lift shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the applicable requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969 or later.

Virginia Tech requires that all aerial lift operators be trained and certified. This includes an online awareness level training on safe use of the lift and operator evaluation. This certification is valid for three years, and each operator will be issued a wallet card. These cards must be available upon request whenever the lift is in use. 

Scope

This program applies to all powered or manually operated personnel lifting devices being operated by Virginia Tech personnel regardless of location, such as:

  • Telescoping (ex. genie lifts): The personnel basket or platform only goes up and down. There are no hinged sections in the boom.
  • Scissor Lifts function similarly to telescoping lifts, but are actually considered mobile scaffolds by OSHA.
  • Articulating (ex. construction-type lifts): The personnel basket or platform can be maneuvered up, down, over, and sideways. There are one or more hinged boom sections. This type is generally used outdoors.
  • Boom Trucks: The personnel basket or platform is located on a large truck. There may or may not be hinged boom sections. This type is used outdoors for painting or overhead power line access. The boom may or may not be insulated.