Subpart L
Under 1926.453(a)(1), aerial lifts acquired for use on or after January 22, 1973 must be designed and constructed to conform with the applicable requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969. See the requirement in 1926.453(a)(1).
Under 1926.453(a)(2), yes — a field-modified aerial lift may be used only if the modification is certified in writing by the manufacturer or an equivalent entity (for example, a nationally recognized testing laboratory) as conforming to ANSI A92.2-1969 and this section and being at least as safe as before modification. See 1926.453(a)(2).
Under 1926.453(a)(1), aerial lifts explicitly include extensible boom platforms, aerial ladders, articulating boom platforms, vertical towers, and combinations of these devices. See the list in 1926.453(a)(1).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(i), lift controls must be tested each day prior to use to verify they are in safe working condition. See 1926.453(b)(2)(i).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(ii), only authorized persons may operate an aerial lift. Employers should ensure operators are trained and authorized before operation. See 1926.453(b)(2)(ii).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(iii), belting off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial lift is not permitted. Employers must plan work so workers are secured only to the lift as required by other applicable fall protection rules. See 1926.453(b)(2)(iii).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(iv), employees must always stand firmly on the floor of the basket and must not sit or climb on the basket edge or use planks, ladders, or other devices in the basket for a work position. See 1926.453(b)(2)(iv).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(v), a body belt must be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift; however, because 1926.502(d) of Subpart M states body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system, employers must follow Subpart M when using fall arrest systems. See 1926.453(b)(2)(v) and 1926.502(d).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(v) and 1926.502(e), a body belt is acceptable when used in a tethering or restraint system (not as a personal fall arrest system), and such use is regulated under 1926.502(e). See 1926.453(b)(2)(v).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(vi), no — boom and basket load limits specified by the manufacturer must not be exceeded. Always follow the manufacturer’s load ratings and instructions. See 1926.453(b)(2)(vi).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(vii), brakes must be set and outriggers positioned on pads or solid surfaces; wheel chocks must be installed before using an aerial lift on an incline if they can be safely installed. See 1926.453(b)(2)(vii).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(viii), an aerial lift truck must not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position with men in the basket, except for equipment specifically designed for that operation in accordance with paragraphs (a)(1) and (a)(2). See 1926.453(b)(2)(viii) and 1926.453(a)(1).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(ix), these platforms must have both upper (platform) and lower controls, with upper controls located in or beside the platform within easy reach of the operator; lower controls must be able to override the upper controls, and all controls must be plainly marked as to their function. See 1926.453(b)(2)(ix).
Under 1926.453(b)(3), all electrical tests must conform to ANSI A92.2-1969 section 5, but equivalent DC voltage tests approved by the equipment manufacturer or an equivalent entity are allowed as substitutes. See 1926.453(b)(3) and 1926.453(a)(1).
Under 1926.453(b)(4) and related text, ANSI A92.2-1969 section 4.9 (Bursting Safety Factor) applies to all critical hydraulic and pneumatic components; noncritical components must have a bursting safety factor of at least 2 to 1. See 1926.453(b)(4) and 1926.453(b)(5).
Under 1926.453(b)(5), all welding must conform to applicable AWS standards, including AWS B3.0-41 (Standard Qualification Procedure), AWS D8.4-61 (Recommended Practices for Automotive Welding Design), AWS D10.9-69 (Standard Qualification of Welding Procedures and Welders for Piping and Tubing), and AWS D2.0-69 (Specifications for Welding Highway and Railway Bridges). See 1926.453(b)(5).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(x), lower level controls must not be operated unless the employee in the lift has given permission, except in an emergency. See 1926.453(b)(2)(x).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(x) (same paragraph listing), climbers shall not be worn while performing work from an aerial lift. See 1926.453(b)(2)(x).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(xi), the insulated portion of an aerial lift must not be altered in any manner that might reduce its insulating value. Employers must follow manufacturer guidance and maintain insulation integrity. See 1926.453(b)(2)(xi).
Under 1926.453(b)(2)(xii), before moving an aerial lift for travel the boom(s) must be inspected to ensure they are properly cradled and outriggers are in the stowed position except as allowed in 1926.453(b)(2)(viii). See 1926.453(b)(2)(xii) and 1926.453(b)(2)(viii).
Yes — OSHA may consider conveyances that operate with temporary guides, temporary suspension cables, temporary hoists, or combinations of these devices as suspended scaffolds subject to Subpart L fall protection and overhead/falling object protection requirements; see OSHA's interpretation on suspended scaffolds and the fall protection rules at OSHA's 2023-12-05 letter of interpretation and the general aerial lift rules in 1926.453.