W hen you consider that almost every day in the U.S. a worker suffers an injury while operating an aerial lift, you know it’s important to pay attention to safety when you’re using these devices. In fact, according to one analysis, there are about 345 injuries and about 42 fatalities linked to the use of aerial lifts every year. Sources of injuries Keep in mind that there are four primary sources of aerial lift injuries and fatalities: 1. Overhead hazards – Aerial lifts conduct electricity, and if they’re positioned too close to an overhead line, there’s a chance someone could contact an electrical circuit. 2. Falls – Workers who haven’t taken adequate safety precautions could tumble off the platform. 3. Tip-overs – An unstable or overloaded aerial lift could tip over and throw its occupants from the platform. 4. Falling objects – Unsecured materials and tools can fall off the lift and hit someone below. (How can we avoid injuries while operating aerial lifts?) To reduce the chances of severe injuries during aerial lift operation, pay extra attention to safety before you even begin using the device. Put on a full-body safety harness. Make sure the lanyard for the harness is long enough. Here’s how to calculate the length of the lanyard: Determine the height of the platform, subtract the height of the operator, then subtract another 3 feet. Be sure to attach the lanyard to a secured anchor point on the lift itself; don’t affix it to a building or a structure near the lift. Examine the work area Before operating the lift, examine the work zone. Look for potholes and other holes, drop-offs, random objects, loose dirt, slopes, ditches, bumps and other unstable surfaces. Remove potential obstacles before setting up the equipment. Don’t raise the lift until you’ve confirmed that there are no overhead hazards. When you’re indoors, look for ceilings, sprinklers, heating and cooling units, fans, pipes, and lights. When you’re outdoors, pay particular attention to overhead power lines. Assume all overhead lines are energized and maintain a distance of at least 10 feet from them. And don’t use the lift outdoors when wind speeds exceed 28 miles per hour. Three points of contact When you’re accessing the lift, maintain three points of contact and don’t climb over handrails or guardrails. Once you’ve raised the lift and have begun working, stand firmly on the platform, and never climb on rails, use planks or ladders, or lean over edges. Always keep the platform gates closed and travel with the platform lowered. Thanks for your attention. And remember, let’s stay safe out there! Subject: Floor openings While most of us probably know that floor openings can be a significant workplace hazard, we might not be aware that falls through floor openings can cause some of the most severe injuries, with people who’ve fallen through roof or floor openings missing an average of 35 days of work per incident, compared with an average of 10 missed days for all other mishaps involving falls to lower levels. What to focus on Here are three things to keep in mind in order to stay safe near floor openings. 1. Make sure all floor openings are securely covered. If you create a new floor opening, confirm that the opening is securely guarded so no one can fall through it. The preferred approach is to set up a guardrail around the opening. If that’s not feasible, cover the hole with planks, plywood, or steel plates, and make sure the cover is securely fastened and that cleats have been deployed to prevent the cover from sliding. 2. Make sure everyone knows about the opening. Either paint the opening a distinct color or place a warning sign next to it. 3. Use fall protection. If you’ll be laboring near an opening that’s at least 6 feet above another surface, put on fall protection gear that has been securely anchored. Today’s safety meeting ✔ Topic: Aerial lifts ✔ Today’s Date: __________________ ✔ Attendee Signatures: Tailgate talk Supervisor’s safety toolbox SafetyAlert FOR SUPERVISORS 4 Safety Alert for Supervisors March 23, 2026