Boom Supported Aerial Work Platforms
We conduct operator safety training for all brands and models of boom supported aerial work platforms including straight boom and articulated boom machines. Our trainer has been certified by:
- JLG Industries through their Train-the-Trainer program, and
- IPAF - International Powered Access Federation
Fall protection in fhe form of a full body harness and tether is required for all persons on the platform of a boom supported AWP due to the "bounce" factor that exists and the possibility of a person being ejected from the platform.
Operators of aerial work platforms of all types are required to be trained prior to being authorized to operate the equipment.
The following regulations cover the training requirement for aerial work platforms:
- OSHA 1910.67 (c)(2)(ii) - Vehicle-mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms - Only trained persons shall operate an aerial lift.
- ANSI/SIA A92.3 - Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms - 7.6 Whenever a user directs or authorizes an individual to operate an aerial platform, the user shall ensure that the person has been trained before being assigned to operate the aerial platform.
- ANSI/SIA A92.5 - Boom-Supported Elevating Work Platforms - 7.6 Whenever a user directs or authorizes an individual to operate an aerial platform, the user shall ensure that the person has been trained before being assigned to operate the aerial platform.
- ANSI/SIA A92.6 - Self-Propelled Elevating Work Platforms (Vertical Lift Platforms) - 7.6 Whenever a user directs or authorizes an individual to operate an aerial platform, the user shall ensure that the person has been trained before being assigned to operate the aerial platform.
Note that regulations and procedures that are prescribed in the ANSI Standards are incorporated into the OSHA Standards by reference per the following OSHA Standard:
1910.6 - Incorporation by Reference
1910.6(a)(1) The standards of agencies of the U.S. Government, and organizations which are not agencies of the U.S. Government which are incorporated by reference in this part, have the same force and effect as other standards in this part. Only the mandatory provisions (i.e., provisions containing the word "shall" or other mandatory language) of standards incorporated by reference are adopted as standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Fall protection in fhe form of a full body harness and tether is required for all persons on the platform of a boom supported aerial work platform (AWP) due to the "bounce" factor that exists and the possibility of a person being ejected (catapulted) from the platform, per ANSI / SIA A92.5 - 2006, paragraph 8.10 (1).
- Use only a short lanyard or tether anchored near the bottom of the platform so as to restrict the operator to the confines within the guardrail system and, so as to prevent the operator's body from going over the guardrails and outside the confines of the platform.
- Note that this is fall protection and not fall arrest, i.e., the purpose of the harness and lanyard is not to arrest a fall but rather to prevent a fall.
"Click It" decals are available for purchase at www.awpt.org.
Aerial work platforms are not insulated to protect the operator from electric shock or electrocution.
Therefore, extreme caution must be exercised whenever an aerial work platform is positioned or moved into close proximity to energized conductors; wires, cables, bus bars, etc.
First, the operator must observe the consesus rules for minimum safe approach distances from electrically energized components:
- The minimum safe approach distance from conductors carrying 300 volts to 50,000 volts is ten (10) feet.
Second, if it is necessary to position the operator's platform closer than ten feet to an energized conductor, the following protective measures must be taken to eliminate the possibility of the operator being shocked or electrocuted should the work platform come into contact with the conductor or should the work platform come into close proximity such that electric current could arc through the air from the conductor to the work platform:
- Use lockout/tagout procedures and equipment to de-energize the conductor(s) while the work platform is in use, or
- If the operator must work on or near the electrical conductor while it is energized ("hot"), use electrical insulating blankets on the aerial work platform and/or on the conductor(s) to shield the work platform from the conductor(s).
Electrical insulating blankets are available for purchase from Specialized Products Company, 800-866-5353, or online at www.specialized.net, then use the Search field and search for "Insulating Rubber Blanket".
The owner of a boom supported aerial work platform is required to maintain three manuals which must be stored on the AWP and available for the operator to reference.
American National Standards Institute - Scaffold Industry Association (ANSI / SIA) Standard A92.5 - 2006, paragraphs 8.2.1 and 8.2.2 stipulates that these manuals shall be provided and stored in the weather resistant storage compartment on the machine.
- Operator's Manual for the specific make and model of the AWP.
- ANSI / SIA Manual of Responsibilities A92.5
- AEM Safety Manual (not specifically required by ANSI / SIA but recommended)
Call John Jordan @ 216-587-0400 or e-mail to johnj@neonmaterialhandling.com for assistance in procuring these manuals.
We maintain a supply of ANSI / SIA Manuals of Responsibilities and AEM Safety Manuals and can supply manufacturers' operator's manuals for all makes and models.