What is an Aerial Lift?

Aerial lifts are mobile devices that raise men up in the air in a bucket or on a platform with rails enabling people to work or reach things at medium to large heights.  They are also known as JLG's,  runabouts, articulating boom lifts, aerial ladders, vertical towers, aerial work platforms, man lifts, scissor lifts, and tow behind lifts.  Smaller lifts may be used in warehouses and stores to reach items placed on high shelves whereas the larges of these can lift people as high as 46 feet in the air.

Electrocution Risk

Aerial lifts can be a source of electrocution when the operator is unaware of an overhead power line.   If the operator or person in charge of the vehicle is not aware of overhead power lines or someone attempts to move the lift while the boom is raised, electric shock accidents can occur. If you or someone you love has been a victim of electric shock due to misuse of an aerial lift, call the Law Offices of James f. Aspell, P.C. for a free consultation.

What OSHA Regulations Apply to Lifts & Booms?

OSHA 29 CFR 1926.453 governs aerial lifts.  These regulations set forth everything from how the lifts must be designed to fall protection requirements. Additionally, this section requires that all lifts be designed in accordance with ANSI A92.2-1969 which governs vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms.  Some regulations of note include:

• 453 (b)(2)(v) which requires that a body belt and lanyard be worn and attached to the basket at all times when working in an aerial lift.
• 453(b)(2)(vii) which requires that brakes be set when outriggers are used and pads be positions on a solid surface.
• 453(b)(2(viii) which requires that an aerial lift truck not be moved while the boom is elevated with men in it unless it meets certain specifications for this type of work.
• 453(b)(2)(ix) which requires that there be both upper and lower controls for articulating booms and extensible boom platforms designed as personnel carriers.

Violation of the above standards may result not only in fines imposed by OSHA but also civil liability for negligence in failing to follow accepted industry standards and practices. If you have been injured while working in, on, or around an aerial lift, call James F. Aspell  P.C. for a free consultation.

Causes of Aerial Lift Accidents

There are many reasons why aerial lift accidents occur. Some of these reasons include:

• Failure to train lift operators
• Failure to provide fall protection
• Failure to maintain the equipment or fall protection
• Defective lifts
• Defective fall protection
• Failure to secure brakes and/or pads
• Moving the lift while it is extended
• Raising the lift when unsafe to do so
• Horseplay
• Failure to inspect

If the OSHA regulations are not strictly followed, serious injury may occur.

Liability for Aerial Lift Accidents

Worker's compensation law shields a worker's employer from liability for negligence if they provide their employees with worker's compensation. However, there are many circumstances under which someone else may be liable for injuries that result due to an aerial lift accident, including:

• The employer is negligent and fails to offer worker's compensation
• An employee of another company's negligence causes the accident
• The employer is grossly negligent regardless of providing worker's compensation
• The lift is defective
• The fall protection used is defective.

Call Now

If you have been injured due to a work accident involving an aerial lift, call our Hartford area  work injury law office . for a free consultation at (860) 523-8783. The consultation is free. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis so there are no upfront costs to you and you only pay a fee if we make a recovery.