OSHA has a strict set of rules and regulations designed to keep workplaces as safe as possible. Some of these regulations revolve around aerial lifts and how to correctly use them at work. If you are a company that uses scissor lifts or aerial lifts regularly, you must understand the OSHA aerial lift training requirements. 

The same applies to any worker that is looking to find jobs involving aerial lifts and working at a height. You must know what is required from you before you start working. 

What are the OSHA aerial lift training requirements?

Effectively, OSHA stipulates that anyone working with aerial lifts or elevated working platforms needs MEWP training to ensure they can operate lifts safely. These certifications can be found online, but they must be aligned with OSHA’s aerial lift training requirements, and better yet, ANSI and CSA MEWP standards. If the courses are not aligned with these standards, they will be considered non-compliant, and likely won’t be recognized by OSHA or other organizations. 

Aerial Lift Certification will be handed out to candidates that complete the full training program. Currently, OSHA, ANSI, and CSA have very strict requirements for these certifications. In essence, they must cover a specific set of topics to ensure that the candidate learns all the vital information needed for aerial lift safety:

• Aerial lift fundamentals including their components, accessories, and limitations
• A complete understanding of all hazards relating to aerial lift work
• Knowing how to spot and avoid hazards
• Going over the procedures to deal with hazards
• Understanding the correct and safe operation of aerial lifts
• Understanding the maximum load capacities of aerial lifts
• Demonstrating to the learner how to correctly operate a lift safely
• Detailing how to perform equipment inspections and how frequently this must be carried out
• Understanding the manufacturer’s instructions and complying with what’s written in them

Why are there OSHA aerial lift training requirements?

These requirements are in place to make workplaces safer and to avoid serious injuries. Every year, around 2 to 3% of construction deaths are related to aerial lifts. Of course, there are many more incidents that don’t result in death but do cause injuries or damage to property. 

More often than not, the issues arising from improper use of aerial lifts. The operator of the lift doesn’t know how to correctly use it, leading to loading issues and various other concerns. The OSHA aerial lift training requirements look to counter this. Forcing workers to undergo specific training before they operate aerial lifts will drastically reduce the number of fatalities or accidents. 

Where can you get OSHA-compliant aerial lift certificates?

These certificates are available from a variety of different training providers – both online and offline. Online courses have risen in popularity over the last couple of years as they present workers and companies with some key benefits. 

• More affordable – It is cheaper to purchase an online training course than it is to book one in person. This is simply because it is cheaper for online training providers to operate as they don’t need to rent buildings to train in, pay staff to train people, and so on. Thus, both aerial lift workers and companies can save money by choosing online courses. 
• Faster – Typically, in-person training courses will take up an entire day of your time, sometimes more. The benefit of online aerial lift courses is that they can be completed in hours. This allows workers to become certified a lot faster, and it means businesses don’t have to deal with training disruptions. 
• Convenient – Online courses are way more convenient for aerial lift workers as they can be completed in their own time. 

As mentioned earlier, always check that your training provider’s courses are aligned with OSHA and other recognized standards to ensure they’re OSHA compliant. Furthermore, ensure that you are paying for the right courses. There are courses for individuals seeking aerial lift training, and there are courses for companies looking to train their workers. 

Who needs aerial lift training?

As per the OSHA aerial lift training requirements, anyone that is operating an aerial lift or elevated work platform will need to gain the right certification to do so. 

Consequently, this also means that employers and companies hiring aerial lift workers must ensure that they are certified. If they aren’t, it is down to the company to provide them with access to the right training so they can gain their aerial lift certification. 

How often is aerial lift training needed?

Once someone undergoes aerial lift training, how long will the certification last? 

The current CSA aerial lift training requirements underline the importance of retraining at least every five years. However, the industry best practice is 3 years. Everyone that’s new to working with aerial or scissor lifts will need to be certified, but anyone with an existing certification should recertify again in three years. So, it’s very important that you stay up-to-date with your certifications to avoid carrying out work – or employing someone to do aerial lift work – without a valid certification. 

What happens if aerial lift certification isn’t present?

It is illegal for anyone to operate an aerial lift, scissor lift, or aerial work platform without the correct training. 

Consequently, if a valid aerial lift certification isn’t present, you are breaking the law. As an individual, this could mean facing fines and being hit with other penalties. For a company, the penalties can be even larger, and you will also deal with a hit to your reputation as a business. 

Do you need certification for MEWPs?

In summary, the OSHA aerial lift training requirements make it illegal for anyone to operate aerial lifts, scissor lifts, elevated work platforms, or mobile elevated work platforms without the appropriate training. Your certificate must be provided by an organization whose training programs are aligned with OSHA’s requirements, and preferably, the latest CSA and ANSI mobile elevating work platform standards.

If you are looking for aerial training certificates for yourself or MEWP workers, we have a range of options available at MEWPTraining.com