Section 5.2
ELEVATED WORK LOCATIONS
Contents
Approved by Richard DeBusk
Revised 12/2001
5.2.1 Policy
5.2.2 Scope
5.2.3 LBNL Support Organizations
5.2.4 Ladders
5.2.5 Elevating Work Platforms
5.2.5.1 Operating Conditions
5.2.5.2 Identification
5.2.5.3 Special Instructions
5.2.5.4 Inspections
5.2.6 Extensible Boom Work Platforms
5.2.6.1 Operating Conditions
5.2.6.2 Identification
5.2.6.3 Inspections
5.2.7 Responsible
Parties
5.2.8 Standards
5.2.9 Related PUB-3000 Chapters
5.2.10 References
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It is Berkeley Lab's policy to ensure that the equipment and structural provisions
for accessing and working at elevated levels and for overhead movement of materials
meet the best industry safety standards and comply with DOE, general industry
safety orders (OSHA), and (for construction applications) Cal/OSHA regulations.
This policy applies to:
All Laboratory employees
Guests
Contractors
Environment, Health and Safety Division
Facilities (M&O)
Engineering
Safety hazards in the use of ladders can be substantially reduced by observing
certain basic safety precautions as noted below:
Painters' stepladders longer than 3.7 m (12 ft) must not be
used.
Wood ladders must not be painted.
Ladders must be stored to prevent weathering, blistering, or cracking.
All metal ladders must be legibly marked with signs reading "Caution
- Do not use around electrical equipment."
Portable straight and extension ladders must be equipped with slip-resistant
shoes.
Straight or extension ladders must be placed against a support
at an angle such that the distance from the ladder base to the base of the
support is one-fourth the working length of the ladder.
Lash straight or extension ladders when used for access to high
places.
Face ladders when ascending or descending.
Do not use a ladder as a scaffold.
Do not place a ladder in front of a doorway, unless the door is blocked
open, locked, or guarded.
Do not place ladders on boxes or unstable bases to obtain additional height.
Do not climb higher than the second step from the top of a ladder.
Ladders with broken rungs or missing steps must not be used.
Inspect all ladders before use.
Report any defective ladders to your supervisor.
Supervisors must ensure that any ladder reported as defective or
unsafe is removed from service.
Elevating work platforms can be vertically adjusted by manual or powered means
and may be self-propelled, towed, or manually moved. These include such equipment
as scissor lifts, E-Z lifts, and others.
Elevating work platforms are operated only under the following conditions:
Employees using any elevating work platform must be certified in
the proper and safe use of the equipment. One certified operator must be stationed
on the ground to perform any emergency duties.
All units must be inspected prior to each shift's use and must
not be operated if found to be unsafe.
Unless recommended for such use by the manufacturer, no elevating work platform
may be used on an inclined surface. In general, no elevating work platform
may be used on an incline over 5% or in winds that exceed 25 mph.
All personnel on the work platform must be provided and wear an
approved safety harness and lanyard properly attached to the equipment.
All powered elevating work platforms must have working upper and
lower control devices.
Outriggers, if provided, must be used as recommended by the manufacturer.
The following must be displayed on all work platforms in a permanent manner:
Special warnings, cautions, or restrictions necessary for safe
operations.
Make, model, and manufacturer's name and address.
Rated work load capacity.
Maximum platform height.
Statement that device is in accordance with ANSI standards.
Instructions to study operating manual.
Travel of units while employees, materials, tools, or equipment occupy the
platform in an elevated position is permitted only if the following information
is permanently attached to the unit:
Maximum rated load capacity at maximum height.
Maximum travel height.
Statement that the model has successfully passed the static stability
test.
Daily Inspections: All elevating work platforms must be inspected
prior to each shift's use. The inspector must sign and date the logbook and
note any discrepancies. Inspections must include recommended items in the
manufacturer's manual.
Preventive Maintenance: All units must receive preventive maintenance
at intervals no longer than recommended in manufacturer's manual.
Copies of all inspections, preventive maintenance, and work reports
must be retained for at least 5 years.
An extensible boom work platform has a telescoping or extensible boom with
a personnel platform attached. Examples include the Condor, Hotstick, Pittman,
and similar units.
Extensible boom work platforms must be operated under the following conditions:
Two certified operators must be present at all times. One certified
operator must be present on the work platform and the other stationed on the
ground to assist in the operation and perform any emergency duties.
All units must be inspected prior to each shift's use and must
not be operated if found to be unsafe.
All personnel occupying the work platform must wear an approved
safety harness and lanyard properly attached to the equipment.
Outriggers, if provided, must be used as recommended by the manufacturer.
Unless recommended for such use by the manufacturer, no extensible boom
work platforms are to be used on an inclined surface. No unit may be used
on an incline over 5% or in winds over 25 mph.
All units must have upper and lower control devices.
Units equipped with outriggers must not be relocated while personnel
are on the work platform in an elevated position and must not elevate personnel
without the stability of outriggers.
The following must be displayed on all work platforms in a permanent manner:
Special warnings, cautions, or restrictions necessary for safe
operation.
Make, model, and manufacturer's name and address.
Rated work load capacity.
Maximum platform height.
Instructions to study operating manual.
Chart, schematic, or scale showing capacities of all combinations
in their operating positions and cautions or restrictions, or both, regarding
operation of all alternate configurations or combinations of alternate configurations.
Daily Inspection: All units must be inspected prior to each shift's
use. The inspector must sign and date the logbook and note any discrepancies.
Inspections must include all items recommended by the manufacturer's manual.
Preventive Maintenance: All units must receive preventive maintenance
at intervals no longer than recommended in the manufacturer's manual.
Copies of all inspections, preventive maintenance, and work reports
must be retained for at least 5 years.
The responsibility for ensuring that the equipment described herein is properly
used and maintained rests with the managers, supervisors, and employees of the
using organizations. Improper use or handling thereof constitutes a serious
violation of LBNL policies and procedures, DOE orders, and federal and state
OSHA regulations.
29 CFR 1910, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General
Industry and General Duty Clause
29 CFR 1910.25 (b), 29 CFR 1910.25 (c)(3)(ii)
29 CFR 1910.66 (i), Appendix C, Section I, Personnel Fall Protection
29 CFR 1910.67, Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work
Platforms
29 CFR 1926.500-502, Safety Belts, Lifelines and Lanyards
Electrical Safety (Chapter 8)
Occupational Safety (Chapter 5), OSHA Compliance (Section
5.6)
(GPO 017-033-00124-3) Criteria for a Recommended Standard Emergency
Egress from Elevated Workstations
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