Guidelines For Exiting a Boom Lift

Guidelines For Exiting a Boom Lift

Meta Description: Learn essential guidelines for exiting a boom lift safely, including maintaining three-point contact and following manufacturer instructions.

Proper procedures are required to exit elevated work platforms safely, preventing accidents and injuries. This article provides an in-depth look at industry best practices, manufacturer guidelines, and training requirements for safely descending aerial lifts and mobile elevating work platforms according to applicable safety standards.

Key areas covered include maintaining three-point contact, inspecting for hazards, following machine-specific instructions, coordinating with coworkers, and addressing common risks.

Key Takeaways

• Always lower the boom platform fully, secure tools, and don fall protection gear before exiting elevated lifts.
• Maintain three contact points and inspect for hazards to ensure stability during descent.
• Refer to manufacturer manuals specific to the lift-specific model for safety features and exiting procedures.
• Communicate exit intentions to coworkers for coordinated, hazard-free fall jobsite movement.
• Complete certified operator training covering inspection, emergency procedures, and manufacturer requirements.

1. Preparing to Exit the Platform

Before exiting the aerial work platform, operators must use appropriate controls to lower the boom lift platform to a stable surface. Tools and equipment should be adequately secured to avoid tripping hazards.

Operators must also don an approved full-body harness and attach the lanyard to a designated tie-off anchor or fall arrest attachment point.

This fall protection equipment enables operators to exit the elevated platform safely, as OSHA and ANSI standards require. A secondary lanyard may be required for mobile elevating work platforms, depending on manufacturer guidelines.

Operators must also visually inspect the surrounding area for obstacles, debris, or other slip/trip/fall risks that could impede a safe exit.

Communicating exit intentions to coworkers ensures team coordination and adherence to safety protocols.

2. Maintaining Stability

To exit elevated work platforms safely, operators must maintain three points of contact with the aerial lift, guardrails, handrails, or other fall protection anchor points at all times according to ANSI A92 standards.

This helps control dynamic loading on the fall arrest attachment point and prevents trips or falls through open gates or railings.

Operators should use fall or travel restraint systems as specific risk assessments required when exiting mobile elevating work platforms or scissor lifts.

Applicable fall protection measures, such as body harnesses and lanyards, must remain attached to the operator’s primary and secondary attachment points, as indicated in the manufacturer’s manual.

3. Inspecting the Surrounding Area

Before exiting the elevated platform, operators must visually inspect the area adjacent to the boom lift for overhead hazards, uneven or slippery surfaces, unprotected floor openings, and other risks that could lead to a fall.

This ensures any fall hazards or obstacles that could impede a safe exit are addressed according to all applicable safety protocols and restrictions outlined in Genie, JLG, or other manufacturer guidance.

4. Following Manufacturer Instructions

It is imperative always to follow the specific exiting instructions and fall protection requirements outlined by the aerial lift manufacturer in the operator’s manual. This ensures exits are performed according to the equipment design limitations, safety features like platform anchor points and fall arrest attachment points, and federal and industry standards.

Referring to the manual for the make and model being used, such as Genie, JLG, or Skyjack equipment, is vital for safe operation and risk assessment.

5. Coordinating with Others

Proper communication and team coordination is essential for job site safety. Operators must notify coworkers when exiting aerial lifts to avoid unintended interactions that could lead to incidents.

Standard procedures, such as verbal notifications or visual signals, help ensure others do not access or interact with the boom or scissor lift during exits and prevent accidental contact that could cause instability, pinching hazards, or dynamic loading of fall protection attachments.

6. Addressing Hazards

Identifying all potential fall hazards before exiting the elevated work platform is essential. Operators must inspect for obstacles, debris, unprotected edges, overhead dangers like power lines, and adverse weather conditions like high winds that could exceed the design limitations of aerial lifts and mobile elevating work platforms.

Following applicable safety protocols, such as tying off with fall protection equipment when working near exposed edges and using fall restraint or travel restraint systems as required, helps prevent accidents. A thorough pre-use inspection and job site risk assessment enable operators to address hazards and comply with requirements.

7. Training Requirements

All personnel working at heights or with aerial work platforms must complete certified operator training by IPAF PAL or ANSI A92 standards.

Training covers safe operation, emergency procedures, inspection protocols, and applicable fall protection measures like body harnesses, lanyards, and tie-off requirements.

It also addresses manufacturer-specific models to ensure an understanding of design limitations, safety features, and existing procedures outlined in equipment manuals.