Document owner and change code Document Owner Aaron Perronne Title HSSE Manager Mark X Change Code Description X N/A First Issue A Typographical/Grammatical correction; formatting change; text clarification-no action required B Change requiring minor adjustment to process and/or records; users to be informed-no retraining required C Major change to the process and/or records; retraining of involved personnel to be conducted Table of Contents Document Owner and Change Code...1 1. Objective..2 2. Definitions..2 3. Responsibilities..3 4. General Requirements....4 5. Operator Certification and Training.. 6 6. Inspections..6 Page 1 of 6
1 OBJECTIVE This procedure provides guidelines for the safe operation of s. The following section outlines the rules and requirements for the safe operation and for the protection of personnel engaged in operating and using aerial lifts, vehicle-mounted work platforms, or powered platforms. All aerial lifts must be designed and constructed in conformance with applicable requirements of the American National Standard Institute A92.2-1969 for "Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms" and OSHA 1910.67. 2 DEFINITIONS Aerial device - Any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating, or both, which is used to position personnel. Aerial ladder - An aerial device consisting of a single or multiple section extensible ladder. Articulating boom platform - An aerial device with two or more hinged boom sections. Extensible boom platform - An aerial device (except ladders) with a telescopic or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extensible boom platforms when used with a personnel platform. Insulated aerial device - An aerial device designed for work on energized lines and apparatus. Mobile unit - A combination of an aerial device, its vehicle, and related equipment. Platform - Any personnel-carrying device (basket or bucket) which is a component of an aerial device. Vehicle - Any carrier that is not manually propelled. Vertical tower - An aerial device designed to elevate a platform in a substantially vertical axis. 3 RESPONSIBILITIES Qualified Supervisor Ensure that the operator has been trained and certified on the specific aerial lift to be operated. Ensure that modifications are not made to aerial lifts without manufacturer s prior approval. Understand the various types of aerial lifts and the hazards associated with them. Ensure aerial lifting devices are removed from service and tagged when necessary. Page 2 of 6
Operator Perform aerial lift pre-safety check prior to each use. Attend and complete aerial lift safety training. Understand general requirements of the aerial lift program. Conduct a work area inspection prior to using the aerial lift. Report any adverse conditions affecting the safe operation of equipment to supervisor immediately. Equipment needing repairs will be placed out of service. Report damaged or worn personal fall arrest system components to supervisor. Ensure that equipment for protection against accidental vehicle movement (i.e. brakes, wheel chocks, outriggers) is in place prior to operating lift. Perform battery inspections. Inspect LPG cylinders for damaged or worn parts. Understand the various types of aerial lifts and the hazards associated with them. 4 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Only trained and authorized personnel will be allowed to operate aerial lifts for Mechanical Systems, Inc. No employee will be permitted to use or operate lifts or platforms unless he/she has been instructed, trained and certified by a competent person in the use and operation of such equipment. 2. Lift controls should be tested daily prior to use to determine that controls are in safe working conditions (both primary and secondary controls). Tests shall be made at the beginning of each shift during which the equipment is to be used to determine that the brakes, operating systems and power sources (battery, liquid propane, or diesel) are in proper working condition. 3. Controls should be clearly marked as to their function. 4. Prior to operating an aerial lift, the operator must ensure the brakes are set. 5. Wheel chocks provide additional protection against accidental vehicle movement. Wheel chocks must be installed before using an aerial lift in an inclined position. 6. Outriggers must be set correctly before using lift. If done incorrectly, the aerial lift could tip over. The following guidelines should be followed by employees when setting outriggers: Page 3 of 6
When possible, position outriggers on a solid surface, such as concrete or asphalt. Position outriggers on level ground. If outriggers are positioned on soil, check the soil density to ensure that the surface is stable and not recently backfilled. Always use cribbing when positioning outriggers on soil. Always bring the outrigger straight down, never at an angle. Never stand behind an outrigger or between an outrigger and another object when it is being retracted. The center of gravity might have shifted during lifting activities and the sudden release of the outrigger could cause the vehicle to lunge. 7. While traveling, the basket must always follow behind the boom and must always be in a down position. 8. When in the basket, approved fall protection must be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift. Employees must remain tied-off until the work is finished and the basket has been safely lowered to the ground. Employees working from an aerial lift may only tie off to the basket or the boom of the lift; tying off to an adjacent pole, structure or equipment is prohibited. Operators should review the aerial lift manufacturer s recommendations for fall arrest systems before using the lift. 9. Employees should always stand firmly on the floor of the basket and not climb or sit on the edge of the basket for a work position. Employees should never attempt to climb outside of the basket or overextend the upper body beyond the railing of the basket. 10. Employees may only perform work in areas which can be reached from inside the basket of the lifting device. Aerial lifts may not be used in combination with other devices such as ladders, planks or scaffolding. 11. The basket is not to rest on a support for stability but instead be selfcontrolled/supported. 12. The Dead Man Control Switch must be operable by the person operating the equipment and not wired in the "on or open" position. 13. Only aerial lifts with insulated buckets may be used for work on overhead power lines. Lifts that are not insulated must maintain at least a 10 foot distance between the boom and energized electrical lines. Page 4 of 6
14. Operators must maintain at least a 10 foot distance from all other dangerous obstacles, including other vehicles, tools and equipment, trenches and pits, pot holes, other aerial lifts, mechanical devices, and cranes. 15. A copy of the operator's manual must be available and read by each operator, before use. 16. Boom and basket load limits specified by the manufacturer must not be exceeded. Load limits for boom and basket must be posted in a visible location on the aerial lift. 17. Equipment will not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position with employees in the basket or on an elevated platform. Manufacturer's specifications and limitations will be observed. 18. No employee will sit or climb on the guardrail of the basket, with the lanyard being attached to the boom or basket. Employees who tamper with controls and/or bypass safety devices, such as deadman switches, etc., are subject to termination. 19. Operators should never position themselves between overhead objects, such as joists and beams, and the rails of the basket. Accidental movement of the lift could result in a crushing hazard. 20. The aerial lift boom basket should never be positioned above other workers. If the lift is going to be used in an area near pedestrians or other workers, operators are required to isolate the work area by establishing a perimeter and safely diverting pedestrian traffic. Danger signs, caution tape and barriers should be used to create the perimeter of the work area. 21. Aerial lifts must be cared for according to the manufacturer s Aerial lifts may be "field modified" for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer provided the modification has been certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any equivalent entity. 22. The vehicle must have a reverse signal alarm audible above the surrounding noise level or the vehicle must only be backed up when an observer signals that it is safe to do so. Page 5 of 6
5 OPERATOR CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING The operator's knowledge of operating and safety procedures and requirements for this equipment must be verified by a manipulative test and by observation of his/her performance during the first month of operation. A qualified person designated at each project by the project manager, will conduct the manipulative test to determine an applicant's operating ability. A manipulative test will be conducted on each type and model of equipment to be operated. Training will be provided to each operator in compliance with Equipment Operator Training. Training topics will include but not be limited to the following: Recognition of, and preventative measures for, the safety hazards associated with individual work tasks. General recognition and prevention of safety hazards associated with the use of working platforms, including the provisions relating to the particular working platform to be operated. Emergency action plan procedures. Written work procedures for the operation, safe use and inspection of working platforms. Personal fall arrest system inspection, care, use and system performance. The operator training record must be completed and retained on file for the duration of the project. Also, the operator is to be issued an operator's card listing all aerial lifts trained to operate. The operator is to retain on the card on his/her person at all times while on the project site. This training is to be reviewed and updated annual or as needed. 6 INSPECTIONS Pre-use inspections using the attached form are required by operators prior to using an aerial lift. In addition, maintenance inspections of aerial lifts will be conducted when any lift is received, and monthly thereafter using the criteria provided by the manufacturer. All inspections will be documented and retained on file. Page 6 of 6