What The New OSHA Rules Mean For Scissor Lift Usage

Many use aerial lifts to perform a variety of tasks. Tasks may include everything from construction, to building maintenance and allowing workers to assemble a product. They are safer to use than a ladder, or a basket on the forks of a lift truck. Common varieties of aerial lifts include boom and scissor lifts.

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) are currently making their final revisions for a joint ANSI/CSA Aerial lift standard. They are expected to be released the 2nd quarter of 2017. The revisions will be meaningful for the safety of workers. The new name for aerial lifts will be Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP).  The standards will address equipment design, work plan, and training improvements.

Equipment improvements may include:

• Platform Load Sensing. Machines will be required to monitor the weight in the platform.
• Dynamic terrain Sensing. Functions like travel and boom actions, will be disabled when the machine is on a slope.
• Indoor-only Machines. These machines can be made smaller and lighter due to level floors and lack of wind.
• Toe-boards at entrances.
• Prohibited use of chain gates.

Work Plan Improvements may include:

• Machine selection for task.
• Site hazard assessment.
• Floor/Ground for sufficient support.
• MEWP maintenance inspections.
• Supervisor trained to monitor worker safety performance.
• Prevention of un-authorized operators.
• Worker rescue from heights and safety harness falls.

Training:

Supervisor Training Includes:

• Proper Selection of MEWP.
• Hazards for using MEWP for the task.
• Rules and regulations.
• Operator Manual is part of machine.

Occupant Training topics Include:

• Required fall protection and how to use it.
• Factors that affect MEWP stability.
• Site work procedures for MEWP use.
• Manufactures warnings and instructions.
• Unique Hazards related to the current task.
• The operator needs additional training.

Maintenance Personnel Training.

• Maintenance personnel must be trained by a qualified person.

Following the new ANSI/CSA rules will improve worker safety. We look forward to their release. Workers are important!

If there are questions, please Contact Us.