Vehicle-mounted elevating and

rotating work platforms

29CFR1910.67
 Purpose
The bucket truck safety training program is
intended to help prevent accidents, injuries,
and fatalities that may be caused by the
improper and unsafe use of bucket trucks.
 OSHA Requirements

General requirements:
 Working in the bucket
 Personal Protective Equipment
 Boom and bucket load limits
 Use of brakes, outriggers, and wheel locks; and
 Securing the boom before moving the vehicle
 Definitions

 Bucket Truck – Any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping

or articulating, or both, which is used to position
personnel.

 Authorized employee – One who has completed the

company’s required safety training for the safe operation
of bucket trucks.
 Overview of Bucket Trucks

Most Bucket Trucks have

4 major components:
 Cab-chassis;
 Stabilization system;
 Truck body; and
 Aerial device.
 Overview of Bucket Trucks

Bucket depth requirements Do not hinder safety features

 Buckets or “baskets” are  Safety features such as
required to be at least 39” guards; outrigger interlock
deep to put the lip above and ground fault
the waist of most workers interrupter circuits; and
and reduce the risk of warning labels are included
falling out. on bucket trucks.
 Some buckets are 42” deep  These are designed to help
prevent accidents and may
not be modified or removed
 Overview of Bucket Trucks

Insulated or non- Electrocution hazard

insulated classification  Whenever bucket
 Bucket trucks must trucks are operated
be classified as in the vicinity of
insulated or non- utility lines the
insulated potential for
 Insulated models will electrocution exits.
not protect workers  Hose drops and
in the bucket from telephone circuits
phase-to-phase or can be energized
phase-to ground with enough voltage
contacts. to kill.
 Overview of Bucket Trucks

Coating on wires is protection for

wires
 Coating on wires is not insulation, it
is actually designed to protect wires
from the elements.
 It will not protect workers from
electrocution
Indirect electrocution hazard
 Trees and other objects may be
electrified by contact with
conductors and have caused many
electrocutions.
 Operator Training

Poor operator knowledge, due to lack of training or ineffective

training, is a major cause of bucket truck accidents:
 Do not operate an unfamiliar bucket truck
 Bucket trucks differ enough that even trained workers should not operate a
bucket truck they are unfamiliar with on the job

 Read manual and practice first

 Workers need to take the time to read the operator’s manual and practice
with the equipment before employing it.

 Annual refresher training and emergency training

 UNE requires annual refresher training, including instruction on what to do in
case of an emergency
 Personal Protective Equipment

Bucket truck workers are required to wear and use various kinds of personal
protective equipment
 ANSI-approved hard hats
 ANSI-approved hard hats designed to reduce the danger of exposure to electrical
shock must be worn by all personnel.

 Eye protection and fire resistant clothing

 Eye protection and fire-resistant clothing are mandatory if electrical arcs, flashes,
explosions, or flying objects might be present

 Fall-restraint belt or harness system

 Bucket workers must wear a fall-restraint safety belt system or a full-body harness, fall
arrest system.
 Full-body harnesses minimize trauma if a worker falls or is ejected from the bucket
 Fall arrest harnesses

 Non-conductive hardware
– Fall-arrest harnesses designed for bucket
truck work usually feature hardware made
out of non-conductive material such as
Kevlar.

 One per worker

– To ensure proper fit, each worker should
have his or her own fall-arrest equipment
and be trained in its proper adjustment, use,
and care.

 Shock-absorbing lanyard
– The accompanying shock-absorbing lanyard
is attached at the center of the wearer’s
back, between the shoulder blades
 Fall arrest harnesses

 Attach to the boom or basket

– OSHA requires the other end to be attached to the boom or basket; belting
off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment is prohibited
– ANSI recommends that the lanyard be connected to the aerial device at the
platform position.

 Fall-arrest equipment inspection

– Fall-arrest equipment must be thoroughly inspected before each use.
– Look for cuts, holes, tears, abrasions, frays, burns, chemical damage, and
other signs of wear.
– Examine hardware to make sure it is in proper working order.
 Harness life expectancy

 It’s important to realize that bucket truck work

regularly exposes fall-arrest equipment to the
elements including

 Ultraviolet sun radiation

 Deterioration might occur that is not revealed by

normal inspections.

 Refer to manufacturer’s manuals to find out the life

expectancy of the harness you are using.

 Consider the conditions you are working in.

 Fall arrest equipment

 Retiring fall-arrest equipment

 To be on the safe side, some manufacturers and industry experts
recommend destroying and discarding fall-arrest equipment that gets
heavy outdoor use after four to five years.

 Re-certification in the event system prevents a fall

 Whenever a fall-arrest system prevents a fall, it must be examined by a
competent person and certified sound before it is re-used.

 Additional safety equipment

 Additional safety equipment is required for qualified personnel working
on or near exposed conductors and circuit parts.
 This might include insulated gloves, sleeves, cover-up, and hot sticks.
 Bucket Truck Inspection and
Maintenance

Keeping equipment and tools in good working order is a major factor in safety
and primary responsibility of bucket truck owners and operators

 Initial inspection and test  Modifications

 Whenever new equipment is  Modifications that might
acquired, owners are required affect the safe operation of
to perform an initial a bucket truck are not
inspection and test based on permitted without the
the manufacturer’s manual. written approval of the
manufacturer.
 Bucket Truck Inspection and
Maintenance

Daily vehicle inspection

 Must be accomplished according to the manufacturer’s manual
for each truck
 Some manufacturers include checklists with their truck
 Typical daily vehicle inspection

 Tire pressure;  Communications

 Beacons; equipment;
 Vehicle fluid levels;  Jib boom & other
 Outriggers & material handling
outrigger pads; equipment;
 Emergency brake;  Boom and boom
 Leveling system; rest;
 Hydraulic &  Tie downs;
lubricating  Bucket;
systems for leaks  Bucket tilt; and
 Pin retainers;  Electrical circuits,
 Structural & including ground
mechanical fault interrupter,
integrity; start-stop, and
auxiliary circuits.
 Bucket Truck Inspection and
Maintenance

 Controls and consoles

 Make sure all controls are properly marked and working.
 Make sure consoles are free of tools

 Hazards associated with carelessly stowed tools

 Tools can jam levers or buttons and cause accidents or prevent the prompt
use of controls during emergencies.

 Stow tools properly

 Verify tools and equipment are accounted for and stowed properly and that
other standard equipment is present on the truck.

 Have problems corrected before operating truck

 Any problems found during an inspection must be corrected before the
bucket is operated.
 Bucket Truck Inspection and
Maintenance

 Periodic minor and major maintenance

 Owners are responsible for ensuring that periodic minor and major
maintenance is performed.
 Check manufacturer’s manual for each truck to determine what is
required.

 Keep bucket truck free of contaminants

 It is vital to keep bucket trucks free of clutter, dirt, oil, grease and other
contaminants
 Clutter creates tripping hazards.
 Oil and grease can cause slippery conditions on pedals and other work surfaces
 Bucket Truck Inspection and
Maintenance

 Hazards associated with debris and spilled petroleum products

 Increase the risk of fire because flammables such as hydraulic
fluid under pressure and gasoline are present.
 If a fire starts, the boom may serve as a chimney that takes the
flames directly to the bucket worker

 Practice good housekeeping

 Bucket workers should always clean contaminants from their
shoes when boarding the truck
 Driving and Setting Up at
Work Sites

 Before driving a bucket truck

 Perform a “walk-around” inspection to make sure the boom is
cradled and tied down and all other equipment is secure
 Never move a bucket truck with the boom in an elevated
position
 Fasten seat belts
 Driver and passengers should always put on his or her
seatbelts.
 Drive with care according to conditions
 Driving and Setting Up at
Work Sites

 Watch for low-hanging obstructions

 Watch for branches, wires, canopies, and other low-hanging obstructions.
 Necessary clearances will be listed in the manufacturer’s manuals
 Many companies post clearance information on the vehicle’s dash-a good
practice!
 Approaching the work site
 As you approach the work site, turn on the beacon lights, and park with
the flow of traffic, if possible
 Driving and Setting Up at
Work Sites

 Put transmission in proper position; set

parking brake
 Survey the site prior to positioning the
truck to perform work
 Avoid tip-over hazards that may set the
stage for a tip-over accident
 Pot holes;
 Weak pavement;
 Unstamped earth fills;
 Mud, sand, ruts;
 Ditches; and drop-offs.
Driving and Setting Up at
Work Sites

 Avoid setting up on slopes and

always check for overhead obstacles
and utility lines.
 Whenever maneuvering a large
bucket truck in to position, a
signalperson should help direct
positioning to guard against
collisions.
 Both driver and signalperson must
check continually to make sure other
personnel are clear of the vehicle.
 Driving and Setting Up at
Work Sites

 Stabilizing and securing the vehicle for work

 Place the transmission in the appropriate position
 Apply the emergency brake, and chock the wheels.
 Verify that the tires are firmly positioned for lifts within the vehicles on-
rubber capacities.
 Outriggers
 Follow the manufacturer’s operating recommendations regarding their
use
 Outrigger pads may be necessary to assure firm footing.
 Follow applicable work zone regulations to warn motorists
 Working in the Bucket

 Bucket capacity, one worker at a time

 Single buckets have a weight limit of 300 pounds, including gear.
 Only one worker at a time may occupy the bucket.

 Double-sized buckets and two-bucket configuration

 Two workers may occupy double buckets
 Weight limit of 550 pounds with gear

 Two buckets are employed on some units

 Capacities may vary so heck manufacturer’s manuals to be sure.
 Working in the Bucket

 Remove climbers or “gaffs”

 Metal objects contribute to the electrocution hazard
 Put on fall-arrest equipment and adjust and secure it properly
 Board Safely
 Do not carry tools or other items in your hands when boarding.
 Place needed items on the truck deck, hand them up t a co-worker, or use a
rope to hoist them up once aboard.
 When climbing onto the truck, use handrails if available, and
maintain three points of contact at all times.
 Either two feet and one hand, or two hands and one foot
 Always use anti-slip surfaces, and never jump to or from ladders,
steps, or walkways.
 Working in the Bucket

 Upon entering the bucket

 Close and latch the door
 Attach the fall-arrest lanyard

 Before raising the boom

 Make sure no personnel are below or near the intended path
 Check carefully for overhead obstructions such as trees and utility lines

 Continue watching for obstructions when raising the bucket.

 Stay “boxed in” when performing work

 Stand firmly on the floor with both feet
 No sitting or climbing on the bucket lip
 Never lean out of the bucket!
 Working in the Bucket

 Achieving additional working height with railings. planks, ladders, or

other means is also prohibited
 Never violate safe working procedures
 Violations of safe working procedures cause accidents and lead to tragedies.
 Some booms have material handing devices that may be used to lift
equipment
 Before attempting a lift, consult and follow the weight restrictions shown on
the truck’s load chart.
 Check load lines periodically across their entire length
 Look for nicks
 Look for signs of wear
 Always replace damaged lines
 Working in the Bucket

 Always verify that the load line is level-wound on the winch drum
and at least four wraps of line are visible
 Use approved rigging techniques
 Position devices such as slings, ties, and hooks properly
 Never attempt to lift more than one load at a time
 Combined weights are unsafe, even if their total is within rated capacity
 The boom and jibs are designed for vertical hoisting only!
 Never use aerial devices to pull or push loads or move objects horizontally
 Once a load is rigged securely
 Lift slightly, and recheck its stability before continuing
 Working in the Bucket

 Lift slowly and carefully

 Watch the load at all times
 Proceed slowly and carefully
 Never move a load over ground personnel

 Lower suspended load if work stops, never leave a load suspended in

the air

 Observing the bucket worker

 Ground workers are required to observe bucket workers at all times
 Be prepared to take action if something goes wrong

 Lower Controls
 Never operated without permission of the bucket worker-except in
emergencies
 Emergencies are complex and hazardous,
both to those that may need rescuing and to rescuers

Contact emergency help as soon as possible.

Post emergency numbers in a convenient place on

the truck and make sure all crew members know
where they are.
UNE bucket truck
Decals on UNE bucket truck
Decals on UNE bucket truck
Electrocution hazard decal on UNE
bucket truck
The bucket of the UNE bucket truck:

This includes employees

and their equipment/tools!
Hydraulic tank
shut off

Safety lighting

Wires and cables

 Questions, problems, concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding safety

items with the vehicle itself, please bring them to the
attention of the UNE mechanic and have the truck tagged
“Out of Service”.

If you have concerns about employees operating the

truck in an unsafe manner or disregarding safety protocol,
please report to your Supervisor or the EHS staff.