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 4 - General Mobile Equipment and Auxiliaries
Article 24 - Elevating Work Platforms and Aerial Devices
Section 3648 - Operating Instructions (Aerial Devices)

Universal Citation: 8 CA Code of Regs 3648

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

(a) Aerial baskets or platforms shall not be supported by adjacent structure(s) when workers are on the platform or in the basket while in an elevated position.

(b) Lift controls shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations or instructions prior to use to determine that such controls are in safe working condition.

(d) Belting off to an adjacent pole, structure, or equipment while working from an aerial device shall not be permitted.

(e) Employees shall not sit or climb on the edge of the basket or use planks, ladders or other devices to gain greater working height.

(f) Boom and basket and platform load limits specified by the manufacturer shall not be exceeded.

(g) When elevating personnel with the vehicle stationary the braking systems shall be set.

(h) Provided they can be safely installed, wheel chocks shall be installed before using an aerial device on an incline.

(i) When used, outriggers shall be positioned on pads or a solid surface. All outriggers shall be equipped with hydraulic holding valves or mechanical locks at the outriggers.

(j) Climbers shall not be worn while performing work from an aerial device.

(k) When an insulated aerial device is required, the aerial device shall not be altered in any manner that might reduce its insulating value.

(l) An aerial device truck shall not be moved when the boom is elevated in a working position with employees in the basket or platform except when all of the following are complied with:

(1) The equipment is specifically designed for this type of operation in accordance with the provisions of Section 3638.

(2) All controls and signaling devices are tested and are in good operating condition.

(3) An effective communication system shall be maintained at all times between the basket or platform operator and where applicable, the vehicle operator.

(4) The route to be traveled is surveyed immediately prior to the work trip, checking for overhead obstructions, traffic, holes in the pavement, ground or shoulder, ditches, slopes, etc., for areas other than paved, a survey should be made on foot.

(5) The speed of the vehicle does not exceed three (3) miles per hour.

(6) Only one employee is in the basket.

(7) Both the driver and/or the elevated employee have been specifically trained for this type of work (towering) in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

(m) Lower level controls shall not be operated unless permission has been obtained from the employee in the device, except in case of emergency.

(n) Before moving an aerial device for travel, the boom(s) shall be inspected to see that it is properly cradled and outriggers are in stowed position, except as provided in subsection (l).

(o) An employee, while in an elevated aerial device, shall be secured to the boom, basket or tub of the aerial device through the use of a safety belt, body belt or body harness equipped with safety strap or lanyard.

EXCEPTION: Orchard man-lifts manufactured after September 1, 1991 with guardrails 42 inches or higher above the platform floor.

(1) Safety belts/body belts are prohibited for use in personal fall arrest systems, but may be used as part of a fall restraint or positioning device system.

(2) Safety belts/body belts used as part of a positioning device system shall be rigged such that an employee cannot free fall more than 2 feet.

(3) A body harness may be used in a personal fall restraint, positioning or fall arrest system. When a body harness is used in a fall arrest system, the lanyard shall be rigged with a deceleration device to limit maximum arresting force on an employee to 1,800 pounds and prevent the employee from hitting any levels or objects below the basket or platform, and shall limit free fall to a maximum of 6 feet.

NOTE: The requirements of this section do not include any matter relating to firefighting equipment or any matter relating to the vehicles upon which aerial devices are mounted, except in respect to a vehicle being a stable support for the aerial device.

1. New section filed 10-12-84; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 84, No. 41).
2. Amendment of subsection (l)(7) and new subsection (o) filed 9-9-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 37).
3. Amendment of subsection (o) and new subsections (o)(1)-(3) filed 10-4-99; operative 11-3-99 (Register 99, No. 41).
4. Amendment of subsection (o) filed 2-8-2002; operative 3-10-2002 (Register 2002, No. 6).

Note: Authority cited: Section 142.3, Labor Code. Reference: Section 142.3, Labor Code.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. California may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.

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