Aerial Lift Inclement Weather Hazards

High winds or nearby storms can make working on an aerial boom lift extremely dangerous. If you are operating an aerial boom lift outside, you should have access to accurate, real-time weather data in order to make informed safety decisions.

• Operators shall not increase the surface area of a platform or the load by use of windbreaks or otherwise. Increasing the area exposed to the wind will decrease the stability of the lift. The Beaufort wind force scale is an internationally accepted scale of categorizing wind speed.
• The Beaufort wind force scale is an internationally accepted scale of categorizing wind speed. In consists of numbers 0-12, each representing a certain strength or velocity of wind at 33 feet above ground. When wind reaches a 6, Strong Breeze, which has wind speeds at 22-27 mph, it is recommended to stop aerial lift work.
• If you hear thunder, you should shut off the lift and move indoors out of the storm. If you can hear thunder, you could be struck by lightning.

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