YOU HAVE NO ITEMS IN YOUR CART.
1391 E Boone Industrial Blvd
Columbia, MO 65202
(718) 210-3913
Featured Brands
GME Supply Safety Stand-Down Week 2022: Get Buckets!
Day Three
Bucket Truck Safety
Increased Use of Bucket Trucks
Whether you’re a lineman working with utilities or a technician deploying small cell equipment, operating a bucket truck is a constant daily task. They’re an indispensable part of job sites where working off of the ground on utility poles, transmission lines, and rooftops is unavoidable. This frequent work also presents a long list of hazards and accident possibilities.
The Main causes of injuries and fatalities from bucket trucks are:
- Overturned/tipped
- Fall from height
- Entrapment
- Electrocution
- Technical/Mechanical issues
Start Your Work Day Right
The beginning of the work day should always begin with an inspection of the equipment. Always reference the specific bucket truck or lift instruction manual for the proper procedure, but common things to look for on the lift components are:
- Operating and emergency controls
- Personal protective devices
- Hydraulic, air, pneumatic, fuel and electrical systems
- Fiberglass and other insulating components
- Missing or unreadable placards, warnings, or operational, instructional and control markings
- Mechanical fasteners and locking pins
- Cable and wiring harnesses
- Outriggers, stabilizers and other structures
- Loose or missing parts
- Guardrail systems
- Standard general vehicle maintenance
OSHA Requirements
OSHA establishes mandatory requirements for training and certification for employees working in bucket trucks in 29 CFR 1910.268. Employees shall be provided training in the various precautions and safe practices described in this section and shall ensure that employees do not engage in the activities in which this section applies until such employees have received proper training.
Fall protection should also always be considered when working in a bucket truck. While it is more rare for an employee to fall from a bucket truck than working in other situations like a pitched roof, it is more common that one could bounce out while operating and manipulating the position of the bucket, or if another vehicle hits a lift truck. While OSHA regulations for fall protection are not crystal clear when it comes to bucket trucks, once you get more than 6 feet off the ground, personal fall protection is mandated by OSHA’s construction industry standard 1926.501.
Most workers will be wearing typical fall protection equipment. A full body harness, and a shock absorbing lanyard or personal self-retracting device (SRD or SRL). The current interpretation states that the lanyard in use must prevent the user from freefalling more than 6 feet or from coming into contact with a lower level. There is the option to use a fall restraint system when working in this type of apparatus, which would prevent the worker from moving beyond the height of a top of the bucket at all. These fall restraint setups limit mobility within the bucket and restrict the reach of the worker while wearing a full body harness. For these reasons, they are not typically used. Finally, a rescue plan should be in place and reviewed prior to any work being done.
Awareness + Training
When it comes to operating a bucket truck, there is a long list of things to be aware of and ensure that all people on the job site are trained on.
- Setting outriggers, brakes, and wheel chocks are crucial, even if you’re working on a level slope.
- If working near traffic, set up a work zone with warning cones, ropes, and signs. Reference the MUTCD guidelines for this.
- Close and latch the bucket or platform door and use safety chains.
- Always stand on the floor of the bucket or lift, never climb on the rungs or sides of the bucket.
- Never exceed the manufacturer’s load capacity limit. This includes the combined weight of the worker(s), tools, and materials.
- Be especially careful when working between hazards both on the sides, overhead, and below. Be aware of joists, utility lines, communications cables, or other structures around where you need to position the bucket. One wrong move and the worker in the bucket or those around you could be injured or crushed, not to mention damage to the equipment.
Questions or Need More Info?
If you have any questions regarding the above information or need more insight into safety or fall protection in general, reach out to our Gear Experts®! Click here to contact our team, or use the instant chat feature in the lower right hand corner of your browser screen. Also be sure to connect with us on social media to keep up with all of our latest content.
***The content of this page is not intended to replace proper, in-depth training. Manufacturers’ instructions must also be followed and reviewed before any equipment is used.
