Aerial Devices Best Practices!

A “bucket truck” is a truck-mounted aerial device used to lift or elevate workers above the ground. This equipment consists of an articulating and/or telescoping boom with an attached platform or bucket. Aerial devices have various names such as man lifts, boom trucks, squirt booms, cherry pickers, personnel carriers ,and material handlers. Only trained personnel should be allowed to operate bucket trucks as there is a high risk of danger when using this equipment.

Use Extreme caution when working in or around an aerial device. When working near live utility lines, only authorized workers should approach the truck, to avoid the risk of electrocution. Falling from the bucket and contacting live lines are potential hazards for bucket truck operators.  Operators must be trained in the safe use of their aerial device and fall protection equipment to avoid serious injuries or even death.

OSHA and ANSI have established guidelines to decrease the risk of injury when using an aerial device; a link to the OSHA site is provided for current updated information. Although not all-inclusive, listed below are some guidelines to avoid harmful risks in the working area:

Training

  • Train your workers. Properly trained workers are safer on the job because they can identify and avoid hazards.

 Energized Power Lines

  • Assume all power lines could cause  electrocution and maintain at least a ten-foot clearance from them.
  • If there is a need to work closer than 10 feet from a power line, call a qualified lineman.
  • Use a spotter to help maintain appropriate clearances from energized components.

Falls

  • Always take precautionary measures to prevent falls.
  • Always use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as lanyards and helmets.
  • Don’t lean over the edge of the bucket or stand on anything within the platform.
  • Always wear the proper PPE.  For fall protection on truck-mounted aerial devices, wear a full-body harness and fall-arrest lanyard, hooked to the designated anchor point.
  • Don’t climb or sit on the bucket’s edge. Keep your feet firmly on the floor of the platform.

Tools

  • Tools for the aerial lift should be connected to non-conductive tool hoses to avoid electrocution.
  • Inspect tool hoses for any wrinkling that could indicate a potential for hose failure. Avoid allowing the wire braid from black tool hoses to come in contact with electrical lines; they are highly conductive and could cause an arc which could create a hole in the hose and allow hydraulic oil to escape causing a potential fire hazard.

Using aerial lifts safely requires owners and operators to understand and follow the aerial device manufacturer’s guidance and applicable federal, state and local regulations. 

Lift safety is essential in preventing different usage-related accidents from occurring. OSHA and ANSI have created regulations to identify potential hazards and minimize accidents. Operators of aerial devices are continually surrounded by potential hazards; therefore, the identification and prevention of these lurking hazards is an essential element of aerial lift safe work practices. Paying attention to these risks is absolutely necessary to avoid accidents!

See how Altec can provide you with the safest equipment possible by calling 800-958-2555 or contact an Altec representative online.