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ElectricityBucket truck: the lower controls
In live-line bare-hand work the aerial lift has upper controls in the bucket and lower controls near the base of the boom that can override them at any time. With a worker in the bucket, the lower controls are used only in an emergency, such as bringing down an injured worker. It is 29 CFR 1910.269(q)(3).
Free to startScenarios
- A worker injured in the bucket during live-line bare-hand work.
- A two-bucket lift, with the controls within easy reach of both buckets.
- Any sign of a malfunction in the aerial lift.
The steps
- Before you elevate the lift, check all the controls, at ground level and in the bucket, to make sure they work properly.
- Before you elevate the boom, ground the body of the truck, or barricade it and treat it as energized.
- Keep the upper controls within easy reach of the worker in the bucket.
- In the bucket, use a travel restraint system or a personal fall arrest system.
- Do not operate the lower controls while a worker is in the lift unless there is an emergency.
- In an emergency, bring the worker down with the lower controls near the base of the boom, which override the upper controls.
- Suspend work from the aerial lift at any sign of a malfunction.
Safety rules that stop the station
- Lower (ground-level) lift controls may not be operated with an employee in the lift except in case of emergency.
To pass
- The employee who uses or supervises bare-hand work has completed training in the technique and its safety requirements.
- The insulated equipment, tools and aerial devices are designed, tested and made for live-line bare-hand work.
- No bare-hand work in adverse weather such as thunderstorms in the vicinity, high winds, snow storms or ice storms.
Official source
Federal · OSHA, 29 CFR 1910.269
29 CFR 1910.269, Electric power generation, transmission, and distribution
The U.S. Government Publishing Office publishes 29 CFR 1910.269 free: the OSHA rule for electric power generation, transmission and distribution work.
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