Aerial Lift (Mobile Elevated Work Platforms)
As defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an aerial lift is any vehicle-mounted device used to elevate personnel, including:
- Extendable boom platforms,
- Aerial ladders,
- Articulating boom platforms,
- Vertical towers, and
- Any combination of the above
Although OSHA does not specifically address scissor lifts, they do have similar hazards; therefore, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte includes scissor lifts in the Aerial Lift program.
What you need to know
The University has developed an Aerial Lift program to comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. The program requires the following:
- Aerial lift purchase must be authorized by EHS
- Aerial lift operators must successfully complete training and receive specific authorization from their supervisor prior to operating an aerial lift
- Retraining is required at a minimum of every 3 years
- Aerial lifts must be inspected by the operator prior to use
- Aerial lifts must receive a maintenance inspection on an annual basis
Services
The Environmental Health and Safety Office offers the following services:
- Consultative regulatory review
- Purchase authorization
- Signage
- Limited equipment testing
- Inspections
- Training