Boom lift manufacturers offer a great product that lets you move heavy items in the work place. Unfortunately, aerial booms cause plenty of safety problems just because they are capable of lifting such heavy objects into the air. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires safety training for anyone who operates industrial boom lifts.

You can receive aerial boom lift education and training for yourself and your employees from a number of sources. Quite often these business partners offer training:

1. Aerial lift manufacturers. Check to see if they offer a training package when you purchase their machines.

2. Boom lift rentals. The rental agency should offer at least basic safety guidelines, and should be able to offer a local training option to you.

3. Anywhere else you can find industrial boom lifts. Whether you are looking for used boom lifts for sale or new models from a boom lift distributor, the vendor should be able to provide you with a list of local training venues.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Receive online aerial boom lift training

This option is quick and relatively inexpensive. It does not provide hands-on training, however, and this can be a drawback if your workers are new to industrial boom lifts and their operation. By all means participate in on-line training if you just need a refresher course or you need your OSHA certificate renewed.

I recommend: You can get online certification to operate an aerial boom lift from CertifyMeOnline.net. The classes can be set up for individuals or for your entire aerial boom crew. Receive online training in industrial boom lift safety from Distance-Education.org.

Hire on-site aerial boom lift education and training for your crew

If you need to train a large number of workers at one time, this may be the most cost-efficient way to go. Find a company with the proper credentials to come to your place of business to do the training. With on-site training, you can use your own new or used aerial lift trucks, so you know your employees will learn to use the right equipment.

I recommend: The Crane Inspection Certification Bureau offers on-site training for industrial boom lifts. Weise offers on-site training as well.

Choose one of your staff to be the aerial boom lift trainer

Send that employee to specialized training. No matter what aerial lift manufacturers equipment you use, you can find suitable training. Following a train-the-trainer workshop, your employee should be able to train your other employees, as well as any new hires.

I recommend: Crane Tech offers aerial boom lift training at a variety of locations. You can purchase the aerial boom lift education and training kit from SafetyHead. It allows you to train your staff in aerial booms as part of the new hire process.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure your employees stay current in their aerial boom lift education and training. Even after the initial certification, they may need periodic refresher courses to remind them of the importance of boom lift safety.

Industrial boom lifts (also known as cherry pickers) are a type of aerial work platform that typically has a bucket at the end of a hydraulic lifting system. The bucket is designed for a person to stand in and work from. The position of the bucket can be controlled by the person in the bucket, a person on the ground or both.

Boom lifts were originally designed for use in orchards (hence the name "cherry picker") to pick fruit high in the trees. Today's uses include servicing telephone, cable TV and electrical equipment on utility poles; cleaning windows on high-rise buildings; and various applications in mining and construction.

Aerial lift manufacturers primarily make three types of industrial boom lifts. Your choices include:

1. an aerial boom lift mounted on the back of a truck or other large vehicle,

2. an aerial boom mounted on a stand-alone trailer, or

3. a boom lift mounted on a towable trailer chassis.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine your need for an industrial boom lift

Boom lifts can be articulated or telescopic. Some boom lifts are electric, others run on gas or diesel fuel. Some only reach heights of around 20 feet, others extend as high as 80 feet or more. Some have horizontal reach, others only vertical. Some are on wheels and can be pushed around by a single person, others can only be moved by heavy-duty trucks. Your need will determine the type of industrial boom lift that's right for you.

I recommend: As one of the largest aerial lift manufacturers in the country, Genie Industries is your source for articulating, telescopic and trailer-mounted boom lifts. Check out the compact, towable Pro-Tow Series of boom lifts at Gold Coast HiLift. If you're unsure of which aerial boom lift will best suit your needs, Holland High Lift has a page dedicated to helping you figure it out.

Consider your options for buying used or renting an aerial boom lift

There's always a large inventory of used boom lifts, so there's a good chance you can easily find the aerial boom lift you're looking for on the used market. Many companies have boom lifts available for rent as well.

I recommend: Both 1st Lift Company and Aerial Sales have an impressive inventory of new and used boom lifts for sale with pictures and descriptions for each. And if you want to try before you buy or simply need your industrial boom lift for a one-time or occasional use, consider your rental options at RentalSite.

Research the availability of boom lift parts and service from boom lift manufacturers

Whether you buy new or used, there likely will come a time when your aerial boom lift needs replacement parts or service. It's a good idea to be aware of the availability of parts and the proximity of service for your particular boom lift before making the purchase.

I recommend: Alexander Equipment is one of the nation's largest suppliers of aerial boom lifts and replacement parts. Another option is Aerial Lift Service Company, which carries an extensive inventory of boom lift parts and is an authorized service provider for a number of leading boom lift manufacturers.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many boom lift manufacturers have their parts, service and operator's manuals available online for easy reference.
• •  It's important that your boom lift operators participate in safety training. Larger aerial boom lift manufacturers such as Genie offer safety training courses online.