Training

Here is some general Safety/Operation Tips:

In order to become an authorized operator of the bucket truck, the employee must…

1. Have the necessary training, including actual operation of the aerial device. The training must include at least a 30-minute discussion on the contents of this policy, the location and understanding of the controls, decals and manuals found on the vehicle and a practical demonstration of knowledge actually using the lift.
   • Certification will be provided to the authorized employee and shall be kept on their person at all times, when operating the articulating aerial platform.

» Danger: Use of the articulating aerial truck by unauthorized personnel could result in serious injury or death.

2. Understand the attached, written instructions supplied by the manufacturer, regulatory agencies and employer.
   1. User / Operator Responsibility
      It is the responsibility of the user / operator to read and understand the safety and user’s manual for this vehicle before operating the aerial device. Any questions or concerns can be referred to the Office of Environmental Health and Safety or an authorized representative of Versalift East. Safety policies and procedures protect the individual operator, the employer and the people around you.
   2. User’s Manual
      As required, a copy of the users manual must be kept in the vehicle at all times as a reference guide. The manual shall be placed in the compartment closest to the base controls for the aerial platform, rear compartment at the passenger’s side.
3. Know and follow the established safety rules and regulations for the work environment
   1. Equipment Required:
      2. The articulating aerial truck shall have the following equipment and material on board at all times:
         • User’s Manual (1)
         • Chock blocks    (2)
         • Fire Extinguisher (ABC)  (1)
         • Location must be identified on the exterior of the vehicle
         • Traffic cones w/ stripes   (4)
         • First Aid Kit   (1)
         • Full Body Harness  (1)
         • Lanyard    (1)
           – < 2’ in length
      3. The user / operator of the vehicle shall wear appropriate clothing. Loose fitting clothing, hair and the like must be restrained to prevent accidental introduction into electrical or mechanical equipment.
   2. Safety Check – Daily
      As required, the operator of the vehicle for that particular day shall conduct a safety / “circle check” of the vehicle to determine hazards, identify damage and leaks and report same to the vehicle maintenance supervisor.
      The “daily check” shall include but is not limited to…
      2. a visual inspection of the vehicle exterior, including;
         2. broken, damaged, loose or missing parts
         3. tire bulges, cuts and pressure
         4. oil and hydraulic leaks
         5. weld integrity, such as cracks and rust
         6. lighting (beam, directional and safety)
         7. all required decals and stickers on or around the articulating boom
            • they must be in place, legible and understandable

            A complete vehicle inspection form is attached to this policy as appendix A.

            • The inspection form and the identified deficiencies shall be provided to our Vehicle Maintenance Department as soon as possible for corrective action. If no problems have been identified by the user / operator, a copy of the inspection form does not have to be forwarded to the garage.
   3. Fall Protection

      The use of fall protection shall be required when the user / operator enters the bucket truck and begins to elevate, regardless of height. The minimum level of fall protection for the bucket truck is a full body harness and lanyard, which can not be longer than 2’ in length.
      The fall protection device must be properly fastened and comfortably snug

      1. • Safety Belts are not permitted.

      Additional fall protection and safety requirements include…

      1. Personnel shall not place any item into the bucket for the purpose of increasing work height.
         • the use of ladders, step stools and similar items is improper
      2. When using the articulating aerial boom on a permitted incline, the bucket shall be located on the upgrade side, in a stable position.
      3. If the user / operator is working with their hands above their head, or there is a potential for something to fall from above, the use of head protection (hard hats) is required.
      4. If the user / operator is working in an area where persons shall pass beneath or in close proximity to the truck, then the user / operator shall adequately guard or restrict the area to prevent personal injury in the following ways…
         • Caution tape, barricades or rope shall serve the purpose outlined above
           – traffic cones alone are not permissible
         • Employees working below the articulating boom must be aware of the overhead hazards and shall wear the appropriate head protection, as required.
   4. Additional Safety Equipment
      1. Portable Radio
         • If the user / operator of the bucket truck is operating alone, he/she shall carry a portable radio for emergency situations.
      2. Safety Glasses, Goggles or Face Shields may be required.
         • The Personal Protective Equipment section of the Environmental Health & Safety Manual identifies when these devices are necessary.
      3. Head Protection
      4. Equipment and tools used on the work site must be compatible with the environment
   5. Vehicle Placement and Operation
      1. Prior to starting the vehicle…
         1. Walk around to verify safe operation
         2. Remove cone from the front or rear of the vehicle depending on whether you are backing or heading in a forward direction.
         3. Whenever possible (in accordance with vehicle safety policy) a “spotter” shall be used when the vehicle is being set into reverse.
   6. Work Site Safety
      1. Identify the most level grade from which to operate
         • the slope should not exceed 5 degrees
           • If operation of the bucket must be performed on an incline > 5 degrees, then the bucket shall only be used on the high side of the vehicle.
      2. Set Emergency Brake
         • the aerial platform will not operate until the brake has been engaged
      3. Position both wheel chocks
         • place on both sides of the tire
      4. Engage Power Source
      5. Set barricades and cones around the vehicle
         • If the operator will be working in a pedestrian area…
           then barricades,  “Caution” tape or fencing shall be utilized
           » Cones are not permitted.
      6. Verify proper portable radio operation
      7. Discuss work with personnel on the ground
         • they should be made aware of the potential hazards and the risk of injury caused by falling objects such as tree limbs.
      8. Put on the required Fall Protection Equipment
         • additional Personal Protection may be necessary
      9. Maintain proper distance from electrical power lines
      10. Do not operate the articulating aerial boom if…
          1. 1. wind gusts exceed 30 mph
          2. 2. there is or could be an electrical storm
      11. Verify that the area under and around the work site is free of passers-by.
      12. Check out overhead clearances
          1. building design, fixtures and set-up
          2. equipment
          3. lights
          4. sprinkler heads
          5. tree limbs
   7. Traffic Safety and Cone Placement
       
      1. Special planning for traffic control is necessary on a case by case basis. Maintenance work that takes place either on or near the roadway creates a potentially hazardous situation, which shall require the use of  traffic controls. It is the responsibility of the person in charge or their designee to establish and maintain safe and efficient controls.
      2. All necessary traffic control devices shall be installed before maintenance work begins and must be maintained during the entire work period.
      3. Traffic control devices (i.e. barricades, cones etc.)…
         1. provide drivers with sufficient advanced warning
         2. provide proper protection for the motorists and our employees
         3. advise motorists of proper travel path
      4. When parked, a cone shall be placed…
         1. at the rear of the vehicle when the truck will be backed up or out of spot
         2. at the front of the vehicle when the truck will be driven forward
      5. The Speed Limit on Campus is 15 mph, therefore…
         • a minimum of (2) cones shall be placed behind and in front of the bucket truck when use in the street is required.
         • each cone must be separated by a distance of not less than 10’
   8. Special Hazards

   DANGER

   1. – No aerial platform, insulated or not, provides any electrical protection to the occupant of the platform if there is “phase to phase” or “phase to ground” contact. Such contact will cause serious injury or death.

   

   DANGER – User / Operators are not permitted to use the lift to gain access to another level. Once in the bucket, you are required to remain until the platform is placed firmly back on the ground.

   WARNING – Under no circumstances can modifications be made to the articulating aerial boom portion of the vehicle without the expressed written consent of the manufacturer.

   WARNING – Never attach harnesses or lanyards to an adjacent pole, tree or structure when working in or from an aerial platform.

    

   Click Here to view Proper Cone Placement (PDF)