Aerial Lifts Education and Training

Provide federally-mandated aerial lifts education and training

Aerial lifts are valuable pieces of equipment used to move equipment and materials on the job site. Whether they are indoors or out, these workhorses greatly reduce the amount of physical labor that humans need to perform.

Because of the relatively poor safety record of these aerial lifts, the United State Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) now mandates aerial lifts education and training for anyone that uses these machines. There are a number of reasons why aerial lifts may cause safety issues. They include:

1. Tip overs because of the awkward height-to-base ratio of the aerial lifts.

2. Misuse of the equipment by untrained personnel.

3. Lack of maintenance for aerial lifts.

If you are purchasing your first aerial lifts, seek aerial lifts equipment buying advice, as well as safety instruction information from aerial lifts manufacturers. Your local aerial lifts distributor should also have a good idea of where to go locally to get the necessary training for your staff.

 

Understand the objectives of aerial lifts education and training

No matter how you receive your training, you should understand why it is mandatory.
Try: The Electronic Library of Construction Occupational Safety and Health offers a white paper on why training for aerial lift platforms is mandatory. OSHA offers training manuals for powered industrial trucks and aerial lifts.

Get the aerial lifts education and training you need

Whether you sit in a classroom or get training from an online source, the objectives and end results are the same. You should realize that online training doesn't offer the hands-on opportunities you could get in a classroom.
Try: You can learn the basics of an aerial lift truck at Free-Training.com. You can take an online course from Distance-Education.org to get your aerial lifts education and training. Or, get fork lift and boom lift training from the NECA-IBEW Electrical Training Center. Its classes are typical of the hands-on training you receive from an educational outlet that offers this type of safety class.

Receive specialized training in aerial lifts

If you have specialized equipment, this step is necessary. Another type of specialized training is for instructors. If you have several persons on staff that need training, send one person and let her become your staff trainer. This can save you a lot of money over time.
Try: Crane Tech offers online training for personnel who teach others how to safely use man lifts, aerial bucket trucks and aerial lift trucks, as well as other types of aerial lifts. This program gives you access to specific training materials from aerial lift manufacturers and scissor lift manufacturers. You can customize the training of your staff based on the type of equipment they operate. LiftSafe also offers training for instructors.

 

• Stay current with any changes in the law regarding aerial lifts education and training. You may need periodic refresher courses and additional training to operate different pieces of machinery.

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