California Code of Regulations
Title 8 - Industrial Relations
Division 1 - Department of Industrial Relations
Chapter 4 - Division of Industrial Safety
Subchapter 7 - General Industry Safety Orders
Group 1 - General Physical Conditions and Structures
Article 6 - Powered Platforms and Equipment for Building Maintenance
Section 3298 - Operations

(1) Working platforms shall be operated only by qualified persons who are proficient in the operation, safe use and inspection of the particular working platform to be operated.

(2) All employees who operate working platforms shall be trained in the following:

(3) Training of employees in the operation and inspection of working platforms shall be done by a qualified person.

(4) Written work procedures for the operation, safe use and inspection of working platforms shall be provided for employee training. Pictorial methods of instruction, may be used, in lieu of written work procedures, if employee communication is improved using this method. The operating manuals supplied by manufacturers for platform system components can serve as the basis for these procedures.

(5) The employer shall certify that employees have been trained in operating and inspecting a working platform by preparing a certification record which includes the identity of the person trained, the signature of the employer or the person who conducted the training and the date that training was completed. The certification record shall be prepared at the completion of the training required in subsection (a)(2) of this section, and shall be maintained in a file for the duration of the employee's employment. The certification record shall be kept readily available for review by the Division.

(1) Working platforms shall not be loaded in excess of the rated load, as stated on the platform load rating plate.

(2) Employees shall be prohibited from working on snow, ice, or other slippery material covering platforms, except for the removal of such materials.

(3) Adequate precautions shall be taken to protect the platform, wire ropes and safety lines from damage due to acids or other corrosive substances, in accordance with the recommendations of the corrosive substance producer, supplier, platform manufacturer or other equivalent information sources. Platform members which have been exposed to acids or other corrosive substances shall be washed down with a neutralizing solution, at a frequency recommended by the corrosive substance producer or supplier.

(4) Platform members, supporting members constructed of aluminum, wire ropes and safety lines shall be protected when using a heat producing process. Wire ropes and safety lines which have been contacted by the heat producing process shall be considered to be permanently damaged and shall not be used.

(5) The platform shall not be operated in winds in excess of 25 miles per hour except to move it from an operating to a storage position. Wind speed shall be determined based on the best available information, which includes on-site anemometer readings and local weather forecasts which predict wind velocities for the area.

(6) On exterior installations, an anemometer shall be mounted on the platform to provide information of onsite wind velocities prior to and during the use of the platform. The anemometer may be a portable (hand held) unit which is temporarily mounted during platform use.

(7) Tools, materials and debris not related to the work in progress shall not be allowed to accumulate on platforms. Stabilizer ties shall be located so as to allow unencumbered passage along the full length of the platform and shall be of such length so as not to become entangled in rollers, hoists or other machinery.