Scissors Lift Aerial Work Platforms

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.

However, employer or jobsite rules may include a requirement for the use of fall protection in the form of a body harness and tether.

Consult the operator's manual for the machine you operate for the manufacturer's instructions for the proper use of fall protection.

When fall protection is required or used, you must insure that the tether is of the proper length and that it is attached to a proper anchor point.

Some manufacturers of scissors lift AWP's do not recommend the use of fall protection in the form of a body harness and tether because if the operator falls over the guard rails and outside of the platform, his body weight may cause the machine to tip over onto him.

The rationale for not requiring fall protection in the form of a body harness and tether or lanyard is that:

• Scissors lift AWP's are intended for use only on solid level surfaces, such as concrete.
• The operator is to be standing on the platform surface at all times and is to avoid reaching or leaning outside the railings.
• Thus, the safety hand railings around the perimeter of the platform serve as the fall protection system for this type of AWP.

However, some job sites and/or some employers require the use of fall protection in the form of a safety harness and tether or lanyard when operating a scissors lift AWP. If this is the case at your job site,

• 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.

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".

• Operator's Manual for the specific make and model of the AWP.
• ANSI / SIA Manual of Responsibilities A92.6
• 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.