General Safety Guidelines - Safe Use of Bucket Trucks,
Aerial Lifts)
(Per OSHA Standard 1910.67, 1926.453)
• Definitions
• An aerial device, by definition, includes any vehicle-mounted device,
telescoping or articulating, or both, which is used to position personnel.
• An articulating boom platform, by definition, is an aerial device with
two or more hinged boom sections.
• An extensible boom platform, by definition, is an aerial device (except
ladders) with a telescopic or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel
platform attachments are considered to be extensible boom platforms when used
with a personnel platform.
• A mobile unit, by definition, is a combination of an aerial device, its
vehicle, and related equipment.
• A platform, or elevated platform, by definition, is any personnel-carrying
device (basket or bucket) which is a component of an aerial device.
• A vehicle, by definition, is any carrier that is not manually propelled.
• A vertical tower, by definition, is an aerial device designed to elevate
a platform in a substantially vertical axis.
• General Use Requirements
• ANSI/SIA A92.5-1992 (Boom Supported Elevating Work Platforms), including
Appendix items, specify the design and construction requirements for aerial lift
devices.
• Aerial lift devices are used to elevate personnel to job sites above the
ground. These include extensible boom platforms, aerial ladders, aerial ladder
trucks, articulating boom platforms, vertical towers, and any combination of
these devices.
• Aerial lift devices may be constructed of metal, wood, fiberglass, reinforced
plastic (RFP), or other materials.
• Aerial lift devices may be "field modified" for use other than
those intended by the manufacturer, provided the modification has been approved,
in writing, by the manufacturer or by an equivalent authority, such as a nationally
recognized testing laboratory, to be in conformity with ANSI/SIA A92.5-1992 requirements,
to be at least as safe as the
equipment prior to modification.
• Aerial lift devices and personnel working near electrical power lines
must meet the requirements contained in the OSHA Standard 1910.333 (c) (3), Subpart
S-Electrical, Selection and Use of Work Practices (e.g. de-energizing procedures;
grounding overhead lines; required work distances relative to overhead electrical
power lines; unqualified and qualified employees working in the vicinity of overhead
electrical power lines; and vehicular and mechanical equipment in the vicinity
of overhead power lines). Consult with New River Light and Power Company officials
prior to performing work near energized power lines. See OSHA Standard 1910.333
(c) (3) for details.
• General Aerial Lift Device Use Practices Include:
• On ladder trucks and tower trucks, secure aerial ladders in the lower
traveling position by locking the device on top of the truck cab, and the manually
operated device at the base of the ladder prior to moving the truck. Insure outrigger
devices (if equipped) are properly stored prior to moving.
• Set the brakes and position the outrigger devices (if equipped) on pads
or similar solid surfaces and install the wheel chocks before using aerial lift
equipment (especially on inclines).
• Do not move aerial lift trucks with employees located in the elevated
work boom position, except for equipment specifically designed or certified as "field
modified" for this type of operation.
• Insure that aerial lift devices equipped with working elevated platforms
contain both elevated platform (upper) and lower controls. Upper controls are
located in or beside the elevated platform, within easy reach of the operator.
Lower controls are designed to override the upper controls.
• Check to be sure that controls are plainly marked as to their function.
• Test lift controls each day prior to use to insure safe working conditions.
• Insure loads and distribution on working platforms and platform extensions
are in accordance with manufacturer's rated capacity and do not exceed rated
load limits. Affix stickers to vehicle that indicate manufacturer's rated load
capacity of the working elevated platform and/or elevated platform extensions.
• Insure all personnel in the working elevated platform are wearing appropriate
personal protective devices at all times (e.g. hard hats to protect from overhead
falling objects, being struck with nearby objects, struck by flying objects;
safety shoes/boots; goggles/safety glasses with side shields/hard hat with shield;
gloves; other protective clothing).
• Insure that each employee uses an appropriate body belt/harness and lanyard
device attached to the boom or basket or other appropriate passenger device as
fall protection when working from an aerial lift device.
• Insure that only trained and authorized employees operate aerial lift
devices.
• Keep feet firmly on the floor of the basket or elevated platform at all
times.
• Do not sit, climb or position yourself on the edge of the basket or elevated
platform.
• Do not use planks, ladders or other devices as substitute work positions.
• Do not operate lower controls unless permission has been obtained from
the employee(s) in the elevated platform, except in case of an emergency.
• Do not position the aerial lift device against another object to steady
the elevated platform.
• Do not use aerial lift devices as a crane or other lifting device.
• Do not operate aerial lift devices from trucks, scaffolds, or similar
equipment unless approved in writing by the manufacturer.
• Limit travel speeds of aerial lift devices according the conditions of
the ground surface, congestion, visibility, slope, location of personnel and
other factors that may cause hazards to other nearby personnel.
• Shut down the aerial life device engine prior to fueling. Fuel engines
or charge fuel cylinders in well ventilated areas free of flames, sparks or other
hazards which may cause fires or explosions.
• Charge batteries in well ventilated areas free of flames, sparks or other
hazards which may cause fires or explosions.
• Be sure to maintain a clear view of the path of travel, maintain a safe
distance from other obstacles, debris, drop offs, holes, depressions, slopes
and other hazards. Maintain a safe distance from overhead obstacles (including
overhead electrical power lines).
• Stunt driving and horseplay are prohibited.
• Do not position booms and elevated platform devices in an attempt to jack
the wheels off the ground.
• Do not operate aerial lift devices on grades, side slopes or ramps that
exceed the manufacturer's recommendations.
• If elevated platforms or elevated work areas become caught, snagged or
otherwise do not operate properly, remove personnel from the platform prior to
freeing the elevated platform using ground controls.
• Do not alter the insulated portion of an aerial lift device in any manner
that might reduce its insulating effectiveness.
• Insure the area surrounding the elevated platform is clear of personnel
and equipment prior to lowering the elevated platform.
• Perform inspections of aerial life devices per manufacturer's, ANSI/SIA
and other regulatory agency schedules. Make repairs immediately.
• Do not operate aerial lift devices with noted, reported deficiencies until
repairs are made and equipment is authorized for use.
• Perform electrical system safety tests on aerial lift devices per ANSI/SIA
A92.5-1992 requirements.
• Inspect hydraulic and pneumatic system components (Bursting Safety Factor)
on aerial lift devices per ANSI/SIA A92.5-1992 requirements.
• Conduct welding operations on aerial lift devices per Automotive Welding
Society (AWS) Standards.
• Training - Employees Using Aerial Lift Devices will be trained in:
• Employees authorized to use aerial lift devices will receive training
in accordance with manufacturer's operating instructions and routine maintenance
requirements (as appropriate) prior to actual operation.
• Employees authorized to use aerial lift devices will receive hands on
training on the actual aerial lift device (or duplicate model) he/she will be
expected to operate prior to actual use.
• Training will be under the direction of a qualified, competent individual
capable of determining an employee's proficiency in knowledge and actual operation
of the aerial lift device.
• Only properly trained and authorized employees are permitted to
operate aerial lift devices. Employees will be given and display, when requested,
cards, certificates or other form of identification that denotes successful
completion and authorization to operate specific aerial lift devices.
• Records Retention
• Departments will retain initial employee training records for individuals
authorized to operate specific aerial lift devices for a minimum of 3 years.
Subsequent refresher and other specialized training records will be maintained
for a similar period. Previous employee training records may be replaced with
copies of subsequent and other specialized training records.
• Departments will retain written records of initial and subsequent inspections
performed on each aerial lift device for a minimum of 3 years. Subsequent inspection
records will be maintained for a similar period. Previous inspection records
may be replaced with copies of subsequent inspection records.
• Departments will retain written records of repairs performed on each aerial
lift device for a minimum of 3 years. Records will include the date of repair,
a description of the work accomplished and identification of persons performing
the repair. Previous repair records may be replaced with copies of subsequent
repair records.
• Departments will retain written records of all paperwork in connection
with authorized "field modifications" made with respect to specific
aerial lift devices.
(Revised 10/22/2001)
>Attachment
OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.333 (c) (3) - Subpart S - Electrical, Selection
and Use of Work Practices:
(c)(3)
"Overhead lines." if work is to be performed near overhead lines, the
lines shall be de- energized and grounded, or other protective measures shall
be provided before work is started. If the lines are to be de-energized, arrangements
shall be made with the person or organization that operates or controls the electric
circuits involved to de-energize and ground them. If protective measures, such
as guarding, isolating, or insulating, are provided, these precautions shall
prevent employees from
contacting such lines directly with any part of their body or indirectly
through
conductive materials, tools, or equipment.
Note: The work practices used by qualified persons installing insulating
devices on overhead power transmission or distribution lines are covered by
1910.269 of this Part, not by 1910.332 through 1910.335 of this Part. Under
paragraph (c)(2) of this section, unqualified persons are prohibited from
performing this type of work.
(c)(3)(i)
"Unqualified persons."
(c)(3)(i)(A)
When an unqualified person is working in an elevated position near
overhead lines, the location shall be such that the person and the longest
conductive object he or she may contact cannot come closer to any unguarded,
energized overhead line than the following distances:
(c)(3)(i)(A)(1)
For voltages to ground 50kV or below - 10 feet (305 cm);
(c)(3)(i)(A)(2)
For voltages to ground over 50kV - 10 feet (305 cm) plus 4 inches
(10 cm) for
every 10kV over 50kV.
..1910.333(c)(3)(i)(B)
(c)(3)(i)(B)
When an unqualified person is working on the ground in the vicinity
of overhead lines, the person may not bring any conductive object closer
to unguarded, energized overhead lines than the distances given in paragraph
(c)(3)(i)(A) of this section.
Note: For voltages normally encountered with overhead power line, objects
which do not have an insulating rating for the voltage involved are
considered to be conductive.
(c)(3)(ii)
"Qualified persons." When a qualified person is working in the vicinity
of overhead lines, whether in an elevated position or on the ground, the person
may not approach or take any conductive object without an approved insulating
handle closer to exposed energized parts than shown in Table S-5 unless:
(c)(3)(ii)(A)
The person is insulated from the energized part (gloves, with sleeves
if necessary, rated for the voltage involved are considered to be insulation
of the person from the energized part on which work is performed), or
(c)(3)(ii)(B)
The energized part is insulated both from all other conductive objects
at a
different potential and from the person, or
(c)(3)(ii)(C)
The person is insulated from all conductive objects at a potential
different from that of the energized part.
TABLE S-5 - APPROACH DISTANCES FOR QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES -
ALTERNATING CURRENT
Voltage range (phase to phase) | Minimum approach distance
__________________________________________________________
300V and less ........................... Avoid Contact
Over 300V, not over 750V .........1 ft. 0 in. (30.5 cm).
Over 750V, not over 2kV ...........1 ft. 6 in. (46 cm).
Over 2kV, not over 15kV ...........2 ft. 0 in. (61 cm).
Over 15kV, not over 37kV .........3 ft. 0 in. (91 cm).
Over 37kV, not over 87.5kV ......3 ft. 6 in. (107 cm).
Over 87.5kV, not over 121kV ....4 ft. 0 in. (122 cm).
Over 121kV, not over 140kV .....4 ft. 6 in. (137 cm).
..1910.333(c)(3)(iii)
(c)(3)(iii)
"Vehicular and mechanical equipment."
(c)(3)(iii)(A)
Any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of its
structure elevated near energized overhead lines shall be operated so that
a clearance of 10 ft. (305 cm) is maintained. If the voltage is higher than
50kV, the clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10kV over
that voltage. However, under any of the following conditions, the clearance
may be reduced:
(c)(3)(iii)(A)(1)
If the vehicle is in transit with its structure lowered, the clearance
may be
reduced to 4 ft. (122 cm). If the voltage is higher than 50kV, the
clearance shall be increased 4 in. (10 cm) for every 10 kV over that voltage.
(c)(3)(iii)(A)(2)
If insulating barriers are installed to prevent contact with the
lines, and if the
barriers are rated for the voltage of the line being guarded and
are not a part of or an attachment to the vehicle or its raised structure,
the clearance may be reduced to a distance within the designed working dimensions
of the insulating barrier.
(c)(3)(iii)(A)(3)
If the equipment is an aerial lift insulated for the voltage involved,
and if the work is performed by a qualified person, the clearance (between
the uninsulated portion of the aerial lift and the power line) may be reduced
to the distance given in Table S-5.
(c)(3)(iii)(B)
Employees standing on the ground may not contact the vehicle or mechanical
equipment or any of its attachments, unless:
(c)(3)(iii)(B)(1)
The employee is using protective equipment rated for the voltage;
or
..1910.333(c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)
c)(3)(iii)(B)(2)
The equipment is located so that no uninsulated part of its structure
(that portion of the structure that provides a conductive path to employees
on the ground) can come closer to the line than permitted in paragraph (c)(3)(iii)
of this section.
(c)(3)(iii)(C)
If any vehicle or mechanical equipment capable of having parts of
its structure elevated near energized overhead lines is intentionally grounded,
employees working on the ground near the point of grounding may not stand
at the grounding location whenever there is a possibility of overhead line
contact. Additional precautions, such as the use of barricades or insulation,
shall be taken to protect employees from hazardous ground potentials, depending
on earth resistivity and fault currents, which can develop within the first
few feet or more outward from the grounding point.
(Revised 10/22/2001)
