How to Ensure Safety at Any Height

A guide to keep contractors safe when working with aerial work platforms.

The American construction industry leads the world in the use of aerial work platforms, with higher per-worker utilization rates than any other country. Designed to improve productivity and safety, aerial lifts have played a key role in combating fall hazards, the construction industry’s deadliest hazard.  

The latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in 2010) shows that construction accounted for more than half of all fall-related fatalities in 2009, and more than 600 workers lost their lives this way.

The aerial lift industry started from the need to work more safely at great heights. However, while aerial lifts help save lives, they are not a magic bullet solution. Choosing the wrong equipment for the terrain, operating machinery in the wrong conditions or failing to check for potential hazards before use could lead to serious or fatal accidents.

To keep contractors safe and still get the best benefits from aerial lifts, use this as your guide. (But always remember to first follow OSHA regulations and the manufacturers’ instructions.)

Lift Specifications

With tight contract margins, it can be tempting to make do with an in-house machine instead of renting or buying another lift that is properly suited for the job. But the most appropriate lift will almost always be the safest, most productive and efficient option.

Ask yourself these basic safety questions when specifying a lift:

• Is the job indoors, outdoors or both?
• What maximum working height do I need?
• What lift capacity is required and how many people do I want working in the lift at once?
• Will the machine be static and working on a small area or be moved around?
• Are there any floor or ground weight restrictions at the jobsite?
• Do I need up-and-over capabilities to reach the work area?

Training

It is vital for operators to receive the correct training before using an aerial lift, but training should not start and end at the platform. Excellent training courses are available specifically for construction managers to help them minimize the risks to their employees and colleagues. You should also train ground personnel on safely rescuing any co-workers who get trapped in the platform.

Safety Equipment

Boom lift operators, in particular, are vulnerable to a catapult effect (see ANSI standard A92.5 and Canadian standard CSA B354.4). If the machine is involved in an impact collision while elevated or when a sudden drop in the terrain occurs (such as driving over a drain that subsequently collapses), the boom will likely whiplash and throw the occupants from the platform. OSHA regulation CFR 1926.453 requires the boom lift occupants to wear personal fall protection equipment while in the platform. In line with the International Powered Access Federation’s (IPAF) guidance, we strongly recommend a full body harness with an adjustable lanyard tied as short as possible.

In general, the industry does not recommend using personal fall protection equipment in scissor lifts or vertical lifts (see ANSI standards A92.6 and A92.3 and the CSA standard B354.2) because these will unlikely catapult an occupant. In fact, a harness can limit an operator’s capabilities to take action if a scissor lift falls over. Always check the manufacturer’s instructions.

Risk Assessment

After selecting the right lift for the job, it is crucial to check the jobsite for potential hazards, and conduct a thorough risk assessment.

When working outdoors, the top of the checklist should include nearby power or telecom cables and the terrain. Is the ground firm, and are there any drains, curbs or potholes that could imbalance the lift?

Boom lifts are most vulnerable when fully elevated. If your operators drive an elevated boom over a curb or a drain collapses under a wheel, they are at risk of being thrown from the platform and the lift could potentially fall over, crushing any people or property below it.

Also, your operators should check the wind speed before operating any aerial lift. Each lift has a specific tolerance, and the machine should be operated within these limits. Review the operator’s manual for details. And especially pay attention to lifts that are primarily for indoor use, such as electric vertical lifts and slab scissors. They can only be used in relatively light winds, and the lift capacity may be substantially reduced for outdoor operation for example, two people with tools (equaling 500 pounds) indoors could be reduced to one person (250 pounds) outdoors.

One of the main dangers when working indoors is overhead obstructions, such as girders and ceilings. When working in industrial or warehouse facilities, operators must always be sure other mobile plant equipment stays out of the work area, bad accidents have occurred when an overhead crane wiped out a scissor lift.

Interior work usually means a smooth floor, but you should still check for floor loadings and weak points. Look for steps and other ground-level obstacles. Also, all lifts have a gradeability rating for working on slopes, the machine should not be pushed past this limit, or it can fall over. Finally, your operators should check the wind speed if they pass by open shutter doors or work near them because they will be vulnerable to the wind just as if they were working outdoors.

Equipment Checks

In line with ANSI A92 standards, at the beginning of each shift, each machine should be visually inspected and functional tests should be conducted. This includes an inspection and test of the following:

• Stabilizers/outriggers (if the machine has them)
• Operating and emergency controls
• Safety devices
• Tires and wheels
• Guardrail system

Also, make sure there are no air, hydraulic and fuel system leaks; loose or missing parts; and placards and warning signs out of place.

Top 5 Tips for Safe Use of Aerials

1.    Select the right platform for the job—take professional advice.

2.    Ensure operators, managers and co-workers are properly trained.

3.    Follow OSHA regulations and manufacturer’s guidance on harnesses and other safety equipment.

4.    Conduct a thorough risk assessment of the jobsite.

5.    Carry out thorough machine inspections at the start of every shift.

Construction Business Owner, September 2011