This document is intended to provide basic safety guidelines for the Physical Plant Department at Community College of Allegheny County. The information provided in this guide may vary by site. Version 1.0
Table of Contents I. Purpose II. III. IV. Scope Definitions Objectives V. Responsibilities VI. VII. VIII. IX. Training Lift Operations Shutdown Procedures Additional Inspections X. Fall Protection XI. XII. XIII. XIV. XV. XVI. Lift Information Records Appendix A: Pre-Start Inspection Form Appendix B: Shut Down Check List Appendix C: Preventive Maintenance Check List Training Sign-in Sheet 2
I. PURPOSE Community College of Allegheny County This manual outlines the requirements for the operation of aerial lifts and scissor lifts as required by OSHA standards 29 CFR 1926.451-454 (Refer to 29 CRF 1926 Subpart L Scaffolds). The purpose of this manual is to ensure all lifts are operated in a consistent and safe manner according to manufacture guidelines and the procedures outlined. II. SCOPE Community College of Allegheny County is committed to providing its employees the tools necessary to ensure a safe workplace. This policy applies to all Community College of Allegheny County employees engaging in work on a lift, operating a lift or who are responsible for maintenance or repairs of a lift. III. DEFINITIONS Authorized Employee - An employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use an aerial lift device. Aerial Lift Device - Any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating, or both, which is used to position personnel at an elevated worksite. Aerial Lift - An aerial lift device used to elevate personnel to job sites above ground including extensible boom platforms, aerial ladders, articulating boom platforms and vertical towers. Competent Person - A person who has complete knowledge of lift operations, functions, procedures, rules and regulations. This person is capable of identifying existing and predictable hazards in the use of aerial and scissor lifts which are hazardous and/or dangerous to employees and has authorization to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate the hazards. Guardrail System - A vertical barrier, consisting of, but not limited to, toprails, midrails and posts, erected to prevent employees from falling off a work platform. Personal Fall Arrest System - A system used to arrest an employee's fall. Qualified Trainer - One who, by possession of a recognized degree, certificate or professional standing, or who by extensive knowledge, training and experience, has successfully demonstrated the ability to solve or resolve problems related to aerial lifts and/or scissor lifts and the work being performed. Fall Restraint System - A means of preventing a worker from being exposed to any fall regardless of distance. Scissor Lift - A mobile supported scaffold which can be powered or unpowered, is portable and caster or wheel-mounted. 3
IV. OBJECTIVES The objectives of this manual are: To ensure proper training is provided To ensure lifts are in good, safe operating condition To ensure proper oversight when a lift is in use To ensure all operators know the limitations of the lift in use To ensure operators know how to safely operate the lift To ensure correct procedures are followed V. RESPONSIBILITIES A. Safety Department Responsible for developing a policy on aerial and scissor lift operations. Must review and revise the policy as needed on at least an annual basis. Provides training of competent personnel, operators and users. Maintains training documentation and other information as needed. B. Competent Person This person will generally serve as the worksite supervisor and oversee the lift operation. This person is responsible for ensuring that this policy is followed for the safety of the employees. C. Area Departments Each department that has a lift is responsible for all aspects of usage as outlined in this manual. The department supervisor must ensure proper training is given, lift inspections are properly made (Appendix A and B), lift usage is supervised by a Competent Person and necessary maintenance is performed (Appendix C). Each department must keep accurate records and documentation and provide copies of such documentation to the Safety Department as needed. D. Employees All employees are responsible for operating and working on lifts in a safe and correct manner in accordance with the lift operation's manual, Competent Person s instructions and this manual. Any employee who does not fully understand any part of the lift in use, their training or this manual must notify the worksite supervisor immediately. VI. TRAINING All employees of Community College of Allegheny County will receive training on aerial lifts and scissor lifts from a qualified trainer. Safety Person will provide training via on-site, hands-on training, training videos, classroom meetings, booklets, this policy and any other viable means necessary. Safety Person shall certify that employee training has been accomplished and is being kept up-to-date. The certification shall contain: Names of employees trained, retrained and familiarized Name of the trainer(s) 4
Training, continued Training covered Date of training Written records of all lift inspections and repairs Retraining shall be required when: Employees do not demonstrate the skill or understanding needed for safe operating procedures Changes in the worksite present hazards not previously known to the employee Changes in the type of lift, fall protection, falling object protection or other equipment presents a hazard not previously known to the employee Inadequacies in an employee s work indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite proficiency Operators and users of lifts will be trained in the following: Types of lifts and their uses Operator's manuals for specific lifts Pre-start inspection Worksite inspection Stability factors concerning the lift Safety equipment and devices Safety procedures Operation of the lift Control features of the lift Fall protection Shutdown procedures VII. LIFT OPERATIONS The safety of all employees is top priority at Community College of Allegheny County. It is important that the following guidelines be administered and adhered to at all times. Competent Person (see definitions) must be present to oversee the use of any lift. Each department supervisor must ensure that their department has a properly trained Competent Person available when work is being performed on a lift. Competent Person has many responsibilities and has the authority to take steps necessary to keep all employees safe. This person performs all lift inspections. All lifts must be inspected before use. The inspection of the lift is very important in preventing accidents from damaged or faulty lifts. Competent Person physically supervises the work on and around lifts. This person must be trained in fall protection and ensure that all employees working in the lift basket or on the lift platform are using the appropriate fall protection as stated in the lift operator's manual. The pre-start inspection includes the following items: Operational manual present in lift Operating controls Inspection of the boom for damage or weakness Inspection of the guardrail or bucket for damage or weakness Check hydraulic and fuel systems for leaks and proper fluid levels 5
Lift Operations, continued Outriggers should work properly Emergency control buttons should work correctly Tires must be properly inflated and inspected for damage Safety guards should be checked for malfunctions. Check balance sensors, level sensors/controls, lights, interlock devices, backup alarm and intercom for proper operation Emergency descent system should be checked by raising the platform a couple of feet and then turning the lift off and using the auxiliary power to lower the lift Other items as necessary It is necessary to inspect the worksite also. Items to inspect include: The ground on which the lift will be used needs to be solid and as level as possible. Hazards that may create dangerous driving conditions such as overhead power lines, holes, drop-offs, bumps, lumber, tools and debris must be identified and procedures to avoid any hazards made known to all employees. OSHA requires employees maintain a 10-foot clearance of all power lines with less than 50 kilovolts. Electricians have different guidelines and should consult with their employers concerning this issue. Weather conditions must be considered before using any lift. After the inspections have been conducted, the following procedures must be followed to start using the lift: Ensure all employees on the worksite have been properly trained and authorized to work on the lift or to operate the lift. Set the outriggers, brakes and any other stabilizing mechanisms. Make sure the guardrails are in place. Make sure the load capacity is not exceeded and that the load is balanced. Do not sit or climb on the basket or guardrails. Keep feet on the floor of the lift. Never belt-off to an adjacent pole, structure or equipment while working from the lift. De-energize the controls after the lift has been placed into the work position to prevent accidental movement. Never move the lift while employees are in the basket or on the platform. Hard hats must be worn by all employees. If transferring from the lift to an adjacent structure, 100 percent tie off is required. Never use the lift as a crane to lift loads. Scissor lifts can only be used on solid, level ground. Fall protection must be utilized at all times while working on a lift platform or in a lift basket. VIII. SHUTDOWN PROCEDURES The first step is to ensure that the lift is lowered and safely resting on its supports. If the lift is not on its supports, damage may occur to the lift as well as create a risk for tipping over while being transported. When necessary, secure the lift to its supports to ensure that it does not move while transporting it. Raise the outriggers if the lift has them and shut off the power supply to the lift and outriggers. Remove pads used for outriggers and wheel chocks. Remove the key from the ignition to prevent any unauthorized use of the lift. Check the operator's manual for any additional procedures. 6
IX. ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS If a lift has not been used in over two months, Competent Person should perform a systematic inspection of the lift equivalent to the pre-start inspection. An annual inspection of the lift must be performed by a qualified mechanic authorized to perform maintenance on the lift or by a representative of the lift manufacturer. X. FALL PROTECTION Fall protection is required for all employees that perform work on a lift. Community College of Allegheny County requires each department to follow the fall protection regulations as provided by the lift manufacturer in the operator's manual. XI. LIFT INFORMATION Each lift must have at least the following information displayed on the lift in a place that is easily accessible and easily read: Serial number, make and model Manufacturer's name, number and address Maximum load capacity Maximum number of occupants Maximum lift height XII. RECORDS Training, inspections and maintenance must be documented and kept on file in the appropriate locations. Training records will be kept on file for three years in the Physical Plant Department. Inspections should be kept on file for a period of three years by the department using the lift. Annual and systematic inspections should be kept on file in the department using the lift during the whole time Community College of Allegheny County owns the lift. 7
APPENDIX A: PRE-START INSPECTION FORM The following items must be checked before the start of each work task. Department: Inspector's Name: Date: Lift Serial #: Make: Model: Operating controls Boom Guardrail/Bucket Hydraulic system Fuel system Outriggers Item Pass Fail N/A Emergency control buttons Tires Balance sensors Level sensors Lights Backup alarm Intercom Emergency descent system Safety and warning decals present Structural damage Comments: 8
APPENDIX B: SHUT DOWN CHECK LIST The following items must be checked upon completion of each work task. Item Yes No Lift lowered, resting on supports Lift secured to supports Outriggers raised Power shut off to lift and outriggers Outrigger pads removed Wheel chocks removed Ignition key removed Other: Other: Other: Other: Department: Inspector's Name: Date: Lift Serial #: Make: Model: 9
APPENDIX C: PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE CHECK LIST The following items should be checked during routine maintenance of all aerial and scissor lifts. Additional items may need to be checked depending upon the unit and the manufacturer's guidelines. Oil Power Steering Fluid Coolant Windshield Washer Fluid Batteries Belts and Hoses Hydraulic Fluid Hydraulic Lines Stop Lights Item Pass Fail Comment Tail, Direction, and Head Lights Flashers Tires and Wheels Universal Joints Steering Brakes Exhaust System Clutch Horn Wipers Seatbelt Gauges Decals and Placards Bucket/Platform Boom Coupling Devices Tie-off Point Other: Lift Serial #: Make: Model: Department: Inspector's Name: Date: 10
Training: Safety Instructor: Date Name Department 11