TVA - TSP 702 Aerial Lifts Assessment

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General Requirements for all Aerial Lift Devices (Section 1)

Are aerial lifts designed and constructed in accordance to applicable national consensus and OSHA requirements? Explanation: ANSI A92.2-1979, Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices ANSI A92.3-1973, Elevating Work Platforms ANSI A92.6-1979, Self- Propelled Elevating Work Platforms 29 CFR 1910.67, Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms
Is the manufacturer’s model specific operating manual available? Explanation: Qualified personnel must review the operating manual whenever they have any questions or concerns with safe operation.
Does each aerial lift identified with the following information: Make; Model; Insulated or non-insulated; Qualification voltage and date of test (if insulated); Serial number; Rated load capacity of boom and basket; Maximum working height; Aerial device system pressure or aerial device system voltage, or both; Each control shall be marked as to its function.
Are only qualified/certified personnel allowed to operate aerial lifts? Explanation: Persons qualified through training and experience and designated by their supervisor or trainees/apprentices under the direct supervision of a qualified/certified employee.
Are controls checked prior to placement of outriggers? Explanation: All controls shall be checked before moving the unit into work position including proper placement of outriggers. Before starting aerial work, check the condition, leveling, and position of the aerial lift. Closely inspect and check distances to structures, conductors, and any other potential obstruction.
Is the aerial lift operated through its normal operating positions using group controls prior to lifting personnel? Explanation: Prior to the hoisting of personnel, an aerial lift shall be operated through its normal operating positions using ground controls. The manufacturer’s operating manual which is located on the lift is followed for aerial lift warm-up procedures.
Are aerial lifts properly set up? Explanation: Aerial lifts must not be used on soft or uneven surfaces. Where use requires set-up in areas with uneven terrain and soft ground conditions, proper pad preparation and cribbing techniques will be used to meet equipment set-up requirements.
Are platforms kept clear of slippery substances? Explanation: Loose objects and tools should be secured.
Are manufacturer’s limits adhered to in regards to boom and bucket load limits? Explanation: Boom and bucket load limits specified by the manufacturer shall not be exceeded.
Is fueling prohibited: When the engine is running; When personnel are in the basket; In 161-kV or 500-kV switchyards.
Are personnel working from an elevated basket required to wear a hard hat and a body harness? Explanation: The body harness must be attached to the manufacturer-supplied attachment point or to a boom strap anchorage device. If a safety lanyard greater than two (2) feet in length is required it shall be a decelerating type.
When entering/exit the aerial lift at heights above sixe (6) feet is fall protection provided? Explanation: A worker may enter or exit an aerial lift provided that fall protection such as guard rails or a fall arrest system is used while the worker moves between the lift and the working surface.
Are workers allowed to sit on or climb onto the lip of the basket? Explanation: Personnel will not sit on or climb onto the lip of the basket (or the mid or top rail of the basket) or use planks, ladders, etc., in the basket for a work position. Both feet shall be kept on the bottom of the bucket.
Are lower lift controls operated when employees are in the lift bucket? Explanation: Lower (ground-level) lift controls on aerial lifts with upper (controls in the bucket) shall not be operated with an employee in the lift bucket, except in case of emergency. Ground level lift controls may be operated for testing provided the basket is empty.
Are outriggers used? Explanation: Aerial lift vehicles, if provided with outriggers, shall be operated with the outriggers extended and firmly set for stability. The vehicle brakes shall be set and outriggers positioned on either pads or a solid surface. The unit shall be leveled using the outriggers before the boom is raised. If possible, wheel chocks shall be used. Aerial lifts without outriggers will be positioned and chocked in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions. Exception: If the manufacturer provides conditions under which lifts can be made without the use of outriggers, then outrigger use is not required if all manufacturer conditions are followed.
Is the aerial lift truck allowed to be moved when the boom is elevated or when workers on the basket? Explanation: An aerial lift truck shall not be moved when the boom is elevated or when personnel are in the basket. For other types of aerial lift devices movement is permitted only if permitted by manufacturer’s instructions.
Is the boom capable of sustaining a static load of 1 1/2 times its rated capacity? Explanation: Each lift device with the boom fully extended in the horizontal position shall be capable of sustaining a static load 1-1/2 times its rated capacity when the vehicle is on a firm and level surface.
Are articulating boom and extendible boom lifts equipped with platform and lower controls? Explanation: The upper controls shall be within easy reach of the operator in the platform basket. A foot-operated constant pressure switch shall be installed in the basket. Upper controls shall be protected to prevent jamming. Lower controls shall be provided for overriding the upper controls in the event of an emergency. The functions of all controls shall be plainly identified.
Is the hydraulic cylinder assembly equipped with a pilot-operated check valves or similar to prevent free fall? Explanation: Where the elevation of the boom is accomplished by means of a hydraulic cylinder assembly, the system shall be equipped with pilot-operated check valves or other appropriate devices to prevent free fall of the boom in the event of hydraulic line failure.
When booms are used to bare-hand, live-line, high-voltage work are they equipped with self-contained electrodes and testing circuitry? Explanation: Booms utilized for bare-hand, live-line, high-voltage work shall have built-in, self-contained electrodes and testing circuitry for ease in checking and testing the dielectric characteristics of the boom and its associated components.
Is a leveling system provided? Explanation: A leveling system shall be provided which automatically maintains the basket in a level position through all elevations of the working boom.
Is a fire extinguisher available? Explanation: Each aerial lift shall be equipped with at least a 2½ pound dry chemical fire extinguisher located to be accessible from the ground.
Is a locking device available? Explanation: Aerial ladder trucks shall be provided with a locking device on top of the truck cab and a manually operated device at the base of the ladder for securing the ladder in the lower traveling position.
Are precautions taken when aerial lifts are positioned for work? Explanation: When aerial lift trucks are positioned for work, they should be legally parked whenever possible with approved safety signs, traffic barricades, and lights placed as needed. Positioning aerial lifts into opposing traffic lanes is hazardous and should be avoided whenever possible.

Insulated Aerial Lifts - Energized Work (Section 2)

Is the weather forecast checked prior to energized work? Explanation: Energized work will be suspended if weather conditions change making it unsafe to continue the operation.
Prior to work is the truck grounded? Explanation: Before actual work is started, the truck shall be grounded in accordance with: TVA Safety Procedure 1109, “Protective Grounding”; or, TVA Safety Procedure 1008, “Temporary Protective Grounding for Generating Stations and Other Non-Transmission Facilities”
Are visual inspections made to determine that the equipment is in good condition prior to its use each day? Explanation: Before starting actual work, check the condition of the lift, bucket liner, and bonding leads. All controls (ground level and bucket) shall be checked before moving lift into work position.
Is a leakage-current reading obtained at the start of each day when any higher voltage is going to be worked on? Explanation: This test shall consist of placing the bucket in contact with an energized source equal to the voltage to be worked on for a minimum time of three minutes. The leakage current shall not exceed one micro-ampere per kilovolt of nominal phase-to-ground voltage. Leakage-current meters shall be re-calibrated annually.
Is an employee trained and qualified in emergency let-down? Explanation: When the lift is used for energized work, an employee trained and qualified in the emergency let-down procedure shall be onsite and available.
Are bucket bonding leads attached? Explanation: Before contacting any conductor or device, workers shall attach bucket bonding leads to the conductor or device, thus establishing themselves at the same potential as the conductor or device to which they are clipped. If you are not at the same potential, do not touch it.
Is only one phase worked on at a time? Explanation: Bonding leads from a single aerial lift shall be attached to the same conductor or sub conductor and only one phase worked at a time. Minimum clearances shall be maintained. TVA Safety Procedure 1110, ”Minimum Clearance Distances for Energized Work”)
Is the minimum clearance distance maintained from all grounded objects and from lines and equipment at a potential different from that to which the live-line, bare-hand equipment is bonded? Explanation: Energy Delivery Safety Procedure ED-TI-18.001 Section 10 While an employee is approaching, leaving, or bonding to an energized circuit, the Minimum Clearance Distances for Energized Work shall be maintained between the employee and any grounded parts, including the lower boom and portions of the truck.
Is the phase-to-ground minimum clearance distance maintained? Explanation: While the bucket is positioned alongside an energized bushing or insulator string, the phase-to-ground minimum clearance distances shall be maintained between all parts of the bucket and the grounded end of the bushing or insulator string or any other grounded surface.
Is there a designated safety observer? Explanation: A designated safety observer other than the equipment operator shall observe the clearance distance of the non-insulated portion of the boom to energized lines and equipment and give timely warning before the minimum clearance distance is reached. The observer may be on the ground or in the bucket. Warnings may be given via verbal instructions (voice or radio) or hand signals.
Are ropes and/or lines specific for live-line work properly maintained and used? Explanation: Only ropes or lines maintained especially for live-line work (Yale Cordage Hy-Dee Braid rope, green in color) shall be used from an insulated aerial lift while work is being performed on energized lines or equipment.
Prior to work is the distance to structures and conductors inspected? Explanation: In addition check the tightness and integrity of the vehicle ground.
Is protective equipment properly rated? Explanation: Protective equipment of properly rated voltage, such as line hose, insulator hoods, and rubber blankets, should be used as required.
Is air bled out of the hydraulic hoses? Explanation: Follow manufacturer’s recommended procedures to ensure that all the air is bled out of the hydraulic hoses every day before using the aerial lift on any work.

Non-Insulated Aerial Lifts (Section 3)

Prior to working near energized or de-energized equipment is the truck or similar equipment properly grounded?
Is equipment grounded to the work site equipotential protective safety ground system when non-insulated aerial lifts are used to work on grounded conductors?
Is an employee trained and qualified in emergency let-down? Explanation: When aerial lifts or crane baskets are used to lift workers, an employee trained and qualified in the emergency letdown procedure shall be onsite and available.
Are clip leads or other bonding connections placed between the basket and the conductor prior to touching or working on grounded conductors from non-insulated aerial lifts?
Are operations suspended any time there is an indication of equipment malfunction?
Are loads lifted with a crane when personnel are lifted in a man basket attached to the crane boom or load line? Explanation: No load shall be lifted with a crane when personnel are being lifted in a man basket attached to the crane boom or the load line.
Is there a designated safety observer? Explanation: A designated safety observer other than the equipment operator shall observe the clearance distance to exposed energized lines and equipment and give timely warnings before the minimum clearance distance is reached. The observer may be on the ground or in the basket. Warnings may be given via verbal instructions or hand signals.
If equipment can become energized during operation, does operation comply with at least one of the following? Energized lines exposed to contact shall be covered with insulating protective material that will withstand the type of contact that might be made; Each employee shall be protected from hazards that might arise from equipment contact with the energized lines; Heavy equipment and vehicles used in the performance of energized transmission work shall be properly grounded; Bonding equipment together to minimize potential differences; Providing ground mats to extend areas of equipotential; or, Employing insulating protective equipment or barricades to guard against any remaining hazardous potential differences.

Inspections & Tests (Section 4)

Is a preventive maintenance, inspection, and test program established? Explanation: ANSI A92.2-1979, and/or other governing requirements
Are Appendix A, B, and C of TSP, 702 Aerial Lifts utilized? Explanation: An inspection checklist encompassing the requirements shown in Appendix A, B, and C of this procedure is utilized for inspections and maintenance at the indicated frequencies. Copies of the checklist and the operator’s daily checklist log (Appendix D) shall be available in the vehicle.
Is Appendix E of TSP, 702 Aerial Lifts used to verify proper pre-lift activities? Explanation: The checklist listed as Appendix E of this procedure shall be used to verify proper pre-lift activities each time the lift is positioned for use. This checklist is completed and the pre-lift checklist log (Appendix F) signed by the operator prior to each lift. Copies of the checklist and log shall be available in the vehicle.
Are only manufacturer approved replacement parts, components, and hydraulic fluid used?
Are field modifications made to aerial lifts certified in writing by the manufacturer or a nationally recognized testing laboratory? Explanation: Insulation tests shall be performed after any alterations which could affect insulating characteristics.
Are stability tests performed in accordance with ANSI A92.2? Explanation: Stability tests are to be performed prior to the lift being placed into service. Exception: Written certification verifying stability tests performed by the manufacturer are acceptable in lieu of physical tests by TVA.
Do all electrical tests of aerial lifts comply with ANSI A92.2-1979 Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platform? Explanation: Equivalent direct current voltage tests may be used in lieu of the alternating current voltage tests.
Is a leakage current test conducted in accordance to ANSI A92.2-1979? Explanation: All insulated aerial lifts to be used for live-line, bare-hand work shall be subjected to a leakage-current test in accordance with ANSI A92.2-1979 before starting work each day, or each time during the day when higher voltage is going to be worked, or when the job location is changed.
Are insulated aerial booms kept clean of dirt and conducting or other contaminating materials that could reduce the dielectric characteristics of the boom? Explanation: The boom shall be wiped with clean rags or washed with a mild household detergent, rinsed with cold water, and dried. Pressurized water or steam is not to be used.
Is the boom inspected annually or at more frequent intervals if exposed to heavy uses or adverse environmental conditions? Explanation: The inspection shall include, but is not limited to, the following: Light spots caused by impact blows. Surface ruptures may be repaired by removing the damaged fibers, cleaning the void with acetone or methyl ethyl ketone, and applying epoxy bond to the damaged area. Damaged areas where there is considerable fiberglass rupture. After cleaning and repairing the boom, the fiberglass finish shall be restored by applying a wipe or brush coating of polyurethane.
Are inspection records retained? Explanation: Retention of inspections for one year and are to be readily available for review.

Training (Section 5)

Have employees who operate aerial lifts completed the available training course? Explanation: ATIS 00059101 “Aerial Lifts” Refresher training is required every three (3) years.
Is a skills proficiency demonstration completed? Explanation: The skills proficiency demonstration shall be conducted on the same classification of aerial lift as shown below and be recorded in ATIS as follows: Articulating Boom Aerial Lift Platforms ATIS 00059200 Extendable / Telescoping Boom Aerial Platforms ATIS 00059201 Vehicle Mounted Aerial Lifts (Bucket Truck Type) Non-Insulated ATIS 00059202 Scissor Lifts ATIS 00059203 Insulated Aerial Devices ATIS 00059204
Is a copy of the manufacturer’s operating manual available in each aerial lift? Explanation: Employees shall review and be familiar with the manufacturer’s operating manual for the specific manufacturer and model of equipment being used.