Fall Protection on Aerial Lifts

Fall Protection on Aerial Lifts

See the requirements put in place by OSHA for using fall protection while working on an aerial lift. 

Aerial lifts are commonly used in many different industries, including the construction industry. Any time a worker is on an aerial lift at heights of six feet or more, above a lower level, OSHA standards require that worker to be wearing fall protection in the form of a personal fall arrest system. Explore the fall protection requirement while working on an aerial lift as set forth by OSHA below. 

Fall Protection Requirements on an Aerial Lift 

OSHA requires the use of a fall restraint or arrest system any time a worker is on an aerial lift at heights of six feet or more above a lower level in one of three ways: 

  1. Use of a body belt with a tether anchored to the boom or basket (fall restraint system)
  2. Use of a body harness with a tether (fall restraint system)
  3. Use of a body harness with a lanyard (fall arrest system)

Whichever fall protection system is chosen, it must meet one other requirement with two subparts. The fall protection system must keep a falling worker from free-falling for more than six feet and keep the worker from coming into contact with a lower level. Since aerial lifts are used at several different heights, the fall protection system used must meet this requirement every single time. 

A fall arrest system that allows a worker to fall less than six feet but would not keep that worker from coming into contact with the lower level does not meet both subparts of the requirement and is therefore not compliant. Take careful consideration when choosing a fall protection system to keep the worker safe and to stay in compliance with OSHA standards for working on an aerial lift six feet above a lower level.

Safe Keeper supplies fall protection products and accessories like harnesseslanyards and self-retracting lifelines, anchorage, and more. We carry fall protection products of all sizes and for various industries, allowing you to customize your fall protection system so that it does the job every time.

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