Aerial lifts (general industry) - Virginia

Virginia has adopted federal OSHA standards and incorporates them by reference. The Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program has additional requirements for aerial specifically in the arboriculture (tree-trimming) industry at 16 VAC 25-73-60, Section B. 29 CFR 1910.67 is incorporated by reference in this code.

A summary of additional requirements is as follows:

General safety

• Damaged aerial devices and vehicles must be removed from service until they are repaired or replaced.

Fall protection

• Aerial devices must include an approved point of attachment to which workers can attach a full-body harness with an energy-absorbing lanyard when the device is elevated.

Electrical safety

• Aerial devices, including any booms, buckets, and other attached parts, must maintain safe distances from energized power lines and conductive objects. See Table 1 of 16 VAC 25-73-50.
• Minimum approach distances must be followed as outlined in Virginia safety regulations (see reference above).
• Only qualified line-clearance arborists or qualified line-clearance arborist trainees using an insulated device are permitted to work near energized conductors.
• Electric cords (such as from an electric saw or lights) and conductive materials must not be run from the vehicle to the bucket when working near energized lines.
• Workers must be trained on the limitations of insulated buckets, which do not protect against all electrical paths (such as through trees or guy wires).
• Non-qualified workers must maintain minimum approach distances from energized conductors.

Equipment use

• Aerial devices may not be used as cranes or hoists unless specifically designed to do so.
• Devices must not be moved with a worker in the bucket unless the equipment is designed for it.
• Holes may not be drilled in buckets or liners.

Stabilization

• Wheel chocks must be set unless the equipment has no wheels or is designed to operate without chocks.
• Outriggers and stabilizers must be used according to manufacturer instructions. Pads must be placed under outrigger feet when needed to ensure stability.

Operational safety

• Operators must maintain visual awareness of the bucket’s direction of travel and boom position.
• Workers in the area must be warned before outriggers are lowered.
• Adequate clearance from traffic must be maintained, or traffic control that meets the requirements of the Virginia Dept. of Transportation must be implemented.

Hydraulic/pneumatic safety and requirements

• Hydraulic/pneumatic tools must be disconnected before servicing or adjusting unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
• Pressure must be released before disconnecting hoses to prevent hazards from flying particles, except where quick-acting connectors are used. Hoses must not be kinked to stop pressure.
• No part of the body may be used to detect leaks.
• Hoses must meet dielectric and manufacturer specifications.
• Hydraulic fluid must meet the manufacturer’s minimum flash point requirements.

Load limits

• Combined loads must not exceed the rated lift capacity.
• Load ratings must be clearly and permanently posted on the aerial device, as detailed in American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A92.2.
• One-person buckets must not carry more than one worker during operation.

Underground hazards

• Underground hazards such as gas tanks and septic systems must be identified before operating aerial devices off-road.