Toolbox Talk #17 · Equipment

Aerial Work Platforms: Scissor Lifts & Boom Lifts

Pre-use inspection, fall protection requirements, tip-over prevention, and operating safely around people on the ground.

5-minute talkSign-in sheet includedEN + ES

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⚡ Aerial work platforms are involved in approximately 26 fatalities per year in the U.S. — most from tip-overs, falls from platforms, and contact with overhead objects (OSHA/NIOSH).

Why This Matters

Aerial work platforms feel stable and familiar after a few uses, which is when complacency sets in. Tip-overs happen suddenly, often on ground that looked solid. Platform ejections happen when a worker leans out past the guardrail or when the machine contacts an overhead obstruction. Neither scenario allows any reaction time. Pre-use inspection and ground assessment before every lift are the only reliable prevention.

Key Points: Read These Aloud
  1. Only trained and authorized operators may use aerial work platforms. Training must cover the specific make and model being operated.
  2. Complete the daily pre-use inspection before operating: brakes, tires, hydraulics, controls, platform guardrails, and the emergency descent system.
  3. Scissor lifts: wear a fall-restraint system anchored to the designated point on the platform. The gate or chain must be secured before elevating.
  4. Boom lifts: a full-body harness and lanyard are required — tip-overs can eject operators even from within the platform guardrails.
  5. Never travel with the platform fully elevated unless the machine is specifically rated for that operation. Consult the data plate.
  6. Survey the path before moving: soft ground, slopes, floor openings, and overhead obstructions (power lines, pipes, beams) cause most serious incidents.
  7. Maintain a minimum of 10 feet clearance from overhead power lines unless formally qualified and authorized to work closer.
Discussion Questions: Ask Your Crew
Q1What ground conditions on this site today could cause a tip-over, and how will you address them before lifting?
Q2What is the difference between a fall-restraint system and a fall-arrest system, and which does a scissor lift require?
Q3If the emergency descent system on an aerial lift fails with someone elevated, what is the procedure?
Site-Specific Notes

Recommended Gear for This Talk

Hand-picked PPE and supplies that match this safety topic. Links go to Amazon search results.

Construction workers on scaffolding at a building site

Full-Body Safety Harness

ANSI Z359.1 rated. Required for all boom lift operators. Use fall-restraint mode on scissor lifts.

~$80–150View on Amazon
Historic building covered in scaffolding and safety mesh during renovation

Shock-Absorbing Lanyard

6-ft shock-absorbing for boom lift use. Anchor to designated platform points only — never to guardrails.

~$45–90View on Amazon
Construction worker in safety gear operating a power tool on a road

ANSI Class 2 Hi-Vis Vest

Required for AWP operators and all ground personnel inside equipment operating zones.

~$12–25View on Amazon

Greenberg Safety participates in the Amazon Associates program. If you purchase through these links we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear we would specify on a real jobsite.