OSHA Rules on Bucket Truck Safety in North Carolina

Each year since 2008, the North Carolina Department of Labor has presented the Annual Lineman's Rodeo to demonstrate the hazards of working with and near electric lines. The "live line" demonstration illustrates how quickly those working around energized power lines can become seriously or fatally injured. This is not only a potential hazard for electric workers, but for anyone working near overhead power lines, including those in bucket trucks or boom lifts. To ensure safety of bucket truck workers, North Carolina refers to the federal standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Bucket Requirements

• OSHA Standard 1910.67 requires aerial lifts, including bucket trucks, be constructed to American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards (see reference 3). According to these standards, the vehicle must have clearly marked upper controls that can be overridden by lower controls in an emergency. The bucket must have a guardrail with a toe board, a load capacity plate, emergency stop devices and a brake to hold the boom in position (see reference 4). The unit must also come with a operator's manual.

  Aerial lifts may be modified for uses other than intended by the manufacturer, as long as the lift remains as safe as before, the insulating properties of the bucket are not compromised, the alterations meet ANSI standards, and the changes are certified in writing by the manufacturer or other qualified party (see reference 3).

  Employers are responsible for purchasing bucket trucks that meet ANSI requirements and for maintenance of the equipment (see reference 4).

Inspection

• Before each shift, and any time upon returning to the vehicle, the operator must perform an inspection and keep the written report on file. Before moving into the work area, and again before beginning work, the operator must inspect the work site for potential hazards. The operator also must also inspect the lift controls to ensure that all bucket workers are wearing the proper protective equipment, including fall protection and insulated gloves. Before the moving the truck, the boom must be cradled and the outriggers properly stowed.

Overhead & Electrical Hazards

• Care must be taken to avoid overhead hazards like trees, poles and electric lines. Always assume all lines are energized. Workers in buckets must keep a safe distance from overhead electrical lines (see reference 4). The safe minimum distance varies with the voltage of the line and the qualifications of the worker. A worker who is unqualified to work on electrical lines must keep a minimum distance of 10 feet for lines carrying 50 kilovolts (KV) or less, or 10 feet plus four inches for every 10 KV over 50 KV (see reference 5). Those qualified to work on electrical lines must keep the minimum safe distances outlined in OSHA Table S-5 in Standard 1910.333(c)(5), unless appropriate insulation measures are followed as outlined in the same standard. The vehicle must also maintain a safe clearance from overhead hazards when moving.

Safe Operation

• The truck should not move while anyone is in the bucket unless specifically designed for this use and is compliant with ANSI standards and the manufacturer's certification (see Reference 3).

  Before beginning work, stabilize the truck on a level surface by setting the brakes and outriggers and chocking the wheels. Use flags or cones to alert surrounding traffic. Always stay within load limits for the boom and the bucket, and stop work immediately if anything malfunctions or gets tangled in the lift (see reference 4).

  Employers are responsible for providing training and ensuring that only trained operators work the lift controls. The rider must control the bucket's movement with the upper controls unless the rider permits the use of lower controls or during an emergency.

  Bucket workers must remain fully in the bucket with both feet on the floor; platforms, or other devices may not be used to reach the work area. A harness attached correctly to the boom or bucket, not to other nearby structures, must be worn for fall protection. If working on electric lines, the worker must wear insulating gloves with sleeves rated for the voltage of the line (see reference 5).