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AERIAL AND SCISSOR LIFT

  1. Purpose
    1. The purpose of the Aerial and Scissor Lift program is to ensure that all tasks requiring the use of aerial or scissor lifts are conducted in a safe manner to reduce or minimize personnel injury and/or property damage.
  2. Scope
    1. Using aerial and scissor lifts on the job can make the completion of a task at elevations safer and more efficient. Unsafe use while operating an aerial lift may result in property damage, serious injury and even death. This program outlines the general use and requirements of aerial lift use. The ESCO Group Aerial and Scissor Lift program applies to all employees that use aerial or scissor lifts to complete their work.
  3. Responsibilities
    1. Make sure that the Operator’s manual and the ANSI manual are in the storage container in the operator’s compartment. Contact the ESCO Group Safety Department if either of these are missing.
    2. Operators must take time to review the operating instructions and safety guidelines of each piece of equipment.
    3. Operators shall have communication means established prior to beginning elevated work.
    4. No modifications are to be made to equipment without prior approval from the manufacturer.
    5. Operators must be trained and knowledgeable in the selection of the proper lift for the work to be completed.
      1. Operators shall not use an indoor use rated lifts outdoors
      2. Lifts shall be of adequate reaching height
      3. Intrinsically safe locations shall have the properly designated mobile equipment approved prior to admittance.
    6. Operators shall use three points of contact and face the lift when entering and exiting.
    7. Operator’s department gate or gate chain shall be secured when lift is in use.
    8. No operator is permitted to stand on the mid-rail or top rail of the lift.
    9. The use of a ladder or any other foreign object within the operator’s compartment to increase the reaching height is strictly prohibited, a lift with a greater lifting height shall be required.
    10. Personnel platform shall be clear of tripping hazards and debris, regular housekeeping practices shall be followed.
    11. The factory safety prop bar shall be utilized when accessing a scissor lift between the chassis and personnel platform.
    12. Equipment combustion engines shall be monitored for use indoor due to exhaust accumulation.
    13. Operators must know the maximum lifting capacity of the lift; this shall be posted on the lift. The maximum lifting capacity includes the employees, their tools and any material they may have on the lift. The maximum capacity must not be exceeded at any time.
    14. Employees working in an articulating boom lift must wear a full body harness and a lanyard attached to the attachment point in the lift at all times. If working on a site that requires fall protection to be worn in a scissors lift, you must comply with the site specific requirements. There must be an approved attachment point on the scissor lift when securing a lanyard. Do not attach a lanyard to the mid-rail or top rail of any lift.
    15. Work Zone Safety – If a lift is used above or in the proximity of pedestrians or others workers, employees shall take the necessary precautions to isolate the work area and provide an alternate route. Danger signs and tape or caution signs and tape may be used to create the barrier. A trained attendant can be used in lieu of barricades and signs. The attendant shall wear Class II high visibility apparel. Signs must be used to state the alternate path.
    16. All equipment shall be provided with an operational back-up alarm or have a spotter when operating in reverse mode.
    17. Lift tip-over may occur:
      1. When operating a lift on uneven or soft ground
      2. Exceeding the lift capacity
      3. Lift being struck by another vehicle
      4. Do not use the lift as a crane or a wire/cable pulling device
      5. We must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for allowable wind speed while using a lift. Check the manufacturer’s serial number plate on the lift or operator’s manual for allowable wind speed. Typically the maximum allowable wind speed while using a lift is 28 mph.
    18. When operating a lift never position yourself or another person between overhead hazards such as roof joists or other structural members. Accidental movement may create a crushing hazard. The Emergency Stop shall be utilized once the work area is reached to prevent accidental movement.
    19. Operators must also be aware of other hazards or obstacles:
      1. Other vehicles/equipment
      2. Drop offs
      3. Trenches and excavations
      4. Overhead power lines (minimum clearance between equipment and overhead electrical lines that are 50k or less is at a minimum 10’)
      5. Overhead cranes
    20. Operators shall be familiar with the auxiliary controls so that the platform or basket can be safely lowered to the ground in the event that the platform controls fail or the operator is unable to use the controls.
    21. Never attempt to crawl out of the lift or down the boom in the event of mechanical failure.
    22. Ground controls shall only be used by an authorized operator only in the case of an emergency and with the permission of the operator in the basket or on the platform unless he/she is unconscious.
    23. Operators working outside that encounter inclement weather (i.e. lightning) shall stop work and safety proceed to appropriate shelter. Work shall not be permitted for 30 minutes after the last recorded lightning strike or sound of thunder.
    24. ESCO Group or client rail safety program shall be utilized when working within 8 feet of the rail track centerline or within 25 feet above the track surface.
    25. Lifts shall be properly stored in a designated area when not in use.
    26. Lifts shall not be left unattended while in the “On”/”Running” position. Unattended is line of sight or the maximum of 25ft away even with line of sight.
  4. Equipment Inspection
    1. Prior to operating an aerial or scissor lift an inspections must be completed. Follow the pre-use inspection sheet outline located in the storage container in the operator’s compartment. Record the inspection on the sheet and note any defects. Tag and remove lift from service if any defects are found and report any defects to your supervisor. Do not use the lift until repairs have been made.
  5. Job Site Inspection
    1. Inspect the work area prior to operating a lift. If working in an area where there will be pedestrian traffic or other vehicles, precautions must be put in place to protect the pedestrians or protect the lift form being struck by other vehicles. Employees shall address the following items while completing a job site inspection:
      1. Driving surfaces.
      2. Pedestrian traffic.
      3. Forklift traffic.
      4. Vehicle Traffic.
      5. Trenches and pits.
      6. Ramps and drop-offs.
      7. Drains.
      8. Hole covers.
      9. Overhead power lines.
      10. Deck extension clearance.
  6. Training
    1. Only trained and authorized employees are permitted to operate aerial or scissor lifts.
    2. All employees that operate lifts must attend and successfully complete an operator training program.
    3. Training should be conducted in a classroom setting and include a written test and operator proficiency on aerial lift or scissors lift.
    4. Refresher training will be conducted every three years, if deficiencies are found or changes in equipment through a proficiency test while operating the equipment.
  7. Rescue
    1. In the case of emergencies, where the lifts mechanically break down and/or people fall and/or a medical emergency arises we have implemented self-rescue plans and/or assisted/aided rescue plans.
    2. In scenarios where suspension trauma straps are feasible, they will be attached to harnesses at all times.
    3. If an employee has fallen out of an aerial lift, self-rescue will be the first act for employees to perform.
    4. If self-rescue is not feasible, then assisted rescue with ladder, additional lift or aided rescue plans should be implemented by the supervisor and employees prior to the employees performing work.
    5. In the event of aerial lift failure, employees should utilize the systems that are available for manually lowering/descending the lift.

DAILY EQUIPMENT INSPECTION SERVICE LOG