Scaffold & Elevated Work
Aerial Lifts &
Scissor Lifts
Scissor Lifts
OSHA 1926.453 · ANSI/SIA A92 · NYC BC §3314 · Authorized Operator + Full-Body Harness Required
Aerial lifts — boom lifts, scissor lifts, and telescoping platforms — give NYC construction workers reach and flexibility that no other equipment matches. But they demand respect: tip-overs, electrocutions, and ejections from platforms are the primary causes of aerial lift fatalities. Every operator must be trained, authorized, and wearing a full-body harness before the platform leaves the ground.
Pre-Operation Inspection — Every Shift
- Walk around: check tires/tracks, hydraulic lines, outriggers, and structural welds for cracks or damage
- Controls: test all platform and ground controls before elevating — ensure emergency lowering function works
- Fuel/charge level: do not start a shift with low fuel or low battery that could strand you at height
- Safety devices: check tilt alarm, overload sensor, and fall arrest anchor points in the platform
- Ground conditions: firm, level surface required — soft ground requires mats or cribbing under outriggers
Operating Rules — No Exceptions
- Full-body harness with SRL attached to the manufacturer's designated anchor point — not the guardrail
- Never exceed the rated platform capacity — includes tools, materials, and the operator
- Never use the platform as a crane or hoist — no lifting from the guardrail or platform floor
- Drive only with platform lowered (scissor lifts: below 25 feet; boom lifts: fully retracted)
- 10-foot minimum clearance from all overhead power lines — plan your approach before you move
- Wind limit: stop operations at sustained winds > 28 mph or per manufacturer's manual
NYC Authorization Requirements
- Every operator must hold site-specific authorization from the GC — verbal "go ahead" is not authorization
- ANSI A92.22 (2019) requires documented training covering equipment inspection, safe operation, and hazard recognition
- Scissor lifts on decks or ramps: ensure the deck can support the equipment load — verify with the GC's structural engineer
Discussion Questions
- Where must you attach your lanyard or SRL when working in a boom lift or scissor lift platform?
- The ground near the building perimeter is soft from recent rain. You need to position the lift there. What do you do?
- Can you move a scissor lift with the platform elevated to 30 feet? Why or why not?
- What is the wind speed limit for aerial lift operations on this site?
Sign-Off
Project Address
Date
Time
Foreman / Supervisor
SSM / SSC Name & License No.
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