Annual Aerial Lift Inspection Requirements
Owners and trained operators of lift equipment know that regular inspections of Mobile Elevated Work Platforms, (MEWPS - aerial lifts, boom and scissor lifts) allow for early detection of potential issues, which can prevent accidents and equipment failure, but annual inspections by trained mechanics are required by OSHA and ANSI to maintain compliance with safety standards.
ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standards require a yearly inspection every 13 months. They also require the operator to perform pre-shift inspections to ensure equipment condition and safety. Pre-shift operator inspections should be documented, but are not required by OSHA. ANSI/SIA Standards A92.5 and A92.6 section 6.6(2) state aerial lifts should be inspected every three months or 150 hours of use. (These intermittent inspections are typically performed during PMs, but frequently only occur during the annual inspection.)
Follow the manufacturer's guidelines and OSHA standards for annual inspections for safety and productivity. The machine’s operator or service manual should contain all the annual inspection requirements.
Annual MEWP Inspection Requirements in General
- Performed no later than 13 months from the last inspection
- Be performed by a qualified technician
- Include inspection of controls, platform, boom, turntable, chassis, power system, hydraulic/electrical system, manuals and decals
- Address open safety bulletins
- Be out of service until inspection corrections have been completed
Informational Resources
- https://www.genielift.com/en/aerialpros/inspections-and-functions-tests
- https://www.genielift.com/en/aerialpros/-in-category/categories/aerial-pros-blog/mewp-standard
- https://www.jlg.com/en/directaccess/9-things-you-need-to-check-when-conducting-an-annual-jlg-boom-lift-inspection
- https://www.jlg.com/en/directaccess/compliance-is-critical-ansi-requirements-for-annual-machine-inspections
- https://www.osha.gov/sites/default/files/publications/aerial-lifts-factsheet.pdf
- https://saia.org/meetings-events/ansi/asc-a92-annual-meeting/asc-a92-secretariat/
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