Aerial Lift Safety
Course Description:
Today we’re going to talk about aerial lift safety. You may know this type of equipment by commonly used names such as “cherry pickers” or “snorkel lifts.” It is any telescoping or articulating device mounted on a vehicle used to elevate or position people. . It includes a platform such as a bucket or basket to carry personnel. Various types of equipment include aerial lifts, and they are often mounted on trucks. Aerial lifts are used in various industries, such as utilities, construction, and tree service. Because aerial lifts can be hazardous, they are regulated by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA. If you work in aerial lifts or near them on the ground, you need to understand the hazards, the basic regulatory requirements, and the safety work practices that must be followed to prevent accidents and injuries.
Why “Aerial Lift Safety” Matters:
- OSHA estimates that there are about 68,000 fall-related injuries in the workplace each year.
- OSHA requires equipment with aerial lifts to be designed and constructed according to certain standards. The primary goal is to protect the worker in the lift by providing fail-safe mechanisms that will prevent a free-fall descent of the work platform.
- One of the primary hazards of working in aerial lifts is falling out of the lift.
- If you work in aerial lifts or near them on the ground, you need to understand the hazards, the basic regulatory requirements, and the safety work practices that must be followed to prevent accidents and injuries.
Key Points:
- Identify aerial lift hazards
- Safely operate equipment
- Inspect equipment
- Take necessary precautions when working in or near an aerial lift to prevent accidents and injuries
