Workplace Falls
In an effort to help reduce falls from Aerial Lifts, NIOSH has come up with a training solution, a computer simulator. It is a free program that helps to recognize common hazards when working on an Aerial Lift.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, between 2011-2014, 87 workers died from operating a aerial or scissor lift. Of those deaths, 48 were due to slips, trips, and falls.
How it Works
You can click on the NIOSH link below to download the program. You use a keyboard to steer your aerial lift through various stages of a construction work site and try to place the bucket where it belongs while avoiding random hazards throughout.
Training Requirements
Training is required for anyone that operates an aerial lift. While this simulator is great for a refresher for experienced lift operators, it is not to be used in place of hands-on training to operate aerial lifts.
You can see what the training standards are from OSHA and ANSI, on the links below.
References
NIOSH Aerial Lift Hazard Recognition Simulator
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standards
US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries query system (fatal data)Externa. Date accessed: July 18, 2016.