Aerial Lift Safety Tests

Aerial lifts and the work performed on them must conform to guidelines for electrical, burst pressure, and welding standards set forth in a number of standards:

Electrical. All electrical tests must conform to the requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969, section 5. However, equivalent direct current (DC) voltage tests may be used in lieu of the alternating current (AC) voltage specified in A92.2-1969; DC voltage tests which are approved by the equipment manufacturer or equivalent entity must be considered an equivalent test.

Bursting Safety Factor. The provisions of the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standard A92.2-1969, Section 4.9, Bursting Safety Factor, must apply to all critical hydraulic and pneumatic components. Critical components are those in which a failure would result in a free fall or free rotation of the boom. All noncritical components must have a bursting safety factor of at least 2 to 1.

Welding. All welding done while on an aerial lift must conform to the following standards, as applicable:

• Standard Qualification Procedure, AWS B3.0-41
• Recommended Practices for Automotive Welding Design, AWS D8.4-61
• Standard Qualification of Welding Procedures and Welders for Piping and Tubing, AWS D10.9-69
• Specifications for Welding Highway and Railway Bridges, AWS D2.0-69

Please note that non-mandatory Appendix C for 29 CFR 1926, Subpart L, "Scaffolds," lists examples of standards considered to provide employee protection equivalent to that provided through the application of ANSI A92.2-1969, where appropriate. Consult Appendix C for 29 CFR 1926, Subpart L for details.

To learn more about Scaffolding Safety visit our Construction Scaffolding Safety Online Training web page.