Boom Lift Safety: OSHA Regulations & Inspection Checklist

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) sets safety regulations for boom lifts. Booms lifts are a type of aerial platform used in the construction industry to elevate workers to high places. Fatal or severe injuries can be avoided by following boom lift safety standards outlined by OSHA.

Inspection

• According to OSHA, boom lifts must be inspected daily to ensure the machinery is safe to operate. Specifically, the safety controls must be tested. If any defects are found in the lift controls, the machinery is deemed unsafe to use and shall be pulled back from the job.

Insulation

• The insulation on a boom lift must not be tampered with. Altering the insulation exposes the worker and operator of the boom lift to safety hazards, such as electrocution or electric shock.

Communication

• The worker and the operator of the boom lift must remain in constant communication. Any time the operator is going to extend or retract the platform, the worker must know so that he can stand with both feet flat on the platform.

Position

• Once the boom lift is in extended position, it must not be moved or repositioned. According to OSHA, boom lifts should only be moved once the platform is back in retracted position and locked into place.