ANSI Standards for Aerial Lifts

The American National Standards Institute develops safety standards for aerial lifts. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration uses the standards to ensure the occupational safety of workers while on the job. ANSI standard A92.2 is specific to the operation of aerial lifts, boom platforms and other combinations of such equipment.

Positioning

• Aerial standards from ANSI specify that equipment shall only be moved or adjusted when the aerial lift is in the retracted or grounded position. Moving and adjusting an aerial lift while the lift is fully extended is dangerous and can cause the worker on the lift to fall. Additionally, brakes must always be set to lock the equipment into place when workers are lifted.

Worker Safety

• Workers who are elevated by aerial lifts must adhere to safety standards outlined by ANSI and OSHA. Workers are not to sit, stand or climb on the edges of aerial lifts because this poses a severe fall hazard. It is critical for workers to be equipped with a personal fall arrest system, such as a body harness, as a means of extra precaution.

Inspection

• ANSI requires that aerial lifts be inspected before they are employed. Inspections are required for making sure all of the controls operate and that the equipment is free of defects.