Aerial Lifts Retraining and Recordkeeping

Aerial boom lifts should be operated only on a stable surface. This means that the material underneath the lift should be compacted and hard enough to bear the weight of the aerial boom lift plus any occupants and equipment without compressing, shifting, or collapsing.

Placement of an aerial lift can also affect its safety. You should be aware of the slope of the surface. The term slope refers to the slant, incline, or degree angle of the base underneath the aerial boom lift. Aerial boom lifts should not be used on a sloped surface that exceeds the manufacturer's recommendations for the lift. Check the operator's manual for the maximum slope limits. This is typically five percent or less. If your working area is not level, check to make sure that the recommended slope limits are not exceeded.

Do not disable an aerial boom lift's tilt sensor! Some aerial boom lifts will sound an alarm and automatically lower the platform when the recommended degree of slope is exceeded. This sensor should not be tampered with or disconnected.

To learn more about Aerial Lifts visit our OSHA Aerial Boom Lift Safety Online Training web page.