Proper aerial lift maintenance is important for safety reasons and regulatory compliance. Regular inspections and maintenance schedules also ensure your aerial lift performs as efficiently as possible. In the long run, maintenance can save you time and money by reducing the likelihood of equipment breakdowns.
This guide explores the benefits of proper aerial lift maintenance in more detail to help you put together a compliant maintenance schedule.
Why Proper Aerial Lift Maintenance Is Important
Maintaining your aerial lift should be an essential part of your daily operations. Whether you use an aerial lift for warehousing or manufacturing, the time you invest in checking over your machine is well-rewarded in creating a safer, more productive workplace. Here are the main benefits of maintaining your aerial lift:
- Increase safety: Inspections are key to spotting issues with your equipment before you start work. When working at high elevations, even the smallest issue can impact safety. Proper maintenance gives you and your team the peace of mind that everything is working as it should be.
- Be compliant: Complying with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards requires following your aerial lift’s proper maintenance schedule. This helps you avoid fines or other penalties from OSHA. ANSI standards aren’t always compulsory by law, except for ANSI standards incorporated by OSHA.
- Optimize performance: Routine checks of your aerial lift components help keep your equipment in the best condition. This ensures your aerial lift is performing as efficiently as possible, which can increase your business’s productivity.
- Reduce operating costs: A well-maintained aerial lift can perform more efficiently to reduce operating costs. Ensuring the hydraulics are performing optimally in a scissor lift, for example, allows your workers to be as productive as possible, maximizing output.
- Decrease downtime: Well-maintained machines prevent lost working hours. Less downtime means more profits.
- Maximize equipment ROI: Better-maintained equipment gives you a longer service life. The more useful work your equipment performs, the greater the return on investment (ROI) for your business. The higher outputs of maintained aerial lifts also contribute to this.
- Save repair costs: Proper maintenance helps you spot and address minor issues before they become more expensive problems. This saves time on lengthy repairs and the costs of making more comprehensive fixes.
- Increase resale value: If you end up selling your aerial lift, a detailed maintenance history will help your machine retain its value. It shows you’ve taken care to service and operate the machine properly.
OSHA Requirements
OSHA sets maintenance and inspection schedules you must follow to ensure safety and compliance. Before using an aerial lift, inspect it to ensure it’s in safe working condition. If any components don’t pass a check, don’t operate your aerial lift until a qualified person has repaired it. An inspection should cover both the vehicle and the lift components.
Pre-start inspection vehicle checks range from topping up fluid levels to ensuring steering and brakes are working correctly. There’s also a list of lift components to check, including controls, hydraulic systems, and outriggers. For a complete list, consult OSHA’s factsheet and refer to your aerial lift manufacturer’s manual.
ANSI Requirements
On top of daily pre-start inspections, ANSI sets out more intervals for inspections and maintenance through the ANSI A92.22 standard.
- Pre-delivery inspections: On the delivery of a new aerial lift, a qualified technician should inspect the machine to ensure the equipment is up to standard. This is the point at which you can initiate the warranty for your machine.
- Frequent inspections: If you haven’t used your aerial lift for three months, you should give it a 16-point inspection as outlined by ANSI. If your equipment is used in adverse conditions that may accelerate wear, these checks may also be beneficial for safety and performance.
- Annual inspections: This is a yearly comprehensive check by a qualified technician and includes the items your team would check daily, plus any annual checks from the manufacturer of your aerial lift. The technician will also check for any safety bulletins or updates and ensure your machine is registered correctly with the manufacturer.
According to ANSI, you must determine who qualifies as having the correct skills and training to carry out these checks. It’s best to opt for a reputable company with highly trained technicians so your machine can be properly serviced.
This ANSI standard also recommends keeping inspection records of any frequent or annual inspections for the past four years.
Your Aerial Lift Maintenance Checklist
There’s a range of aerial lift types, such as scissor lifts, boom lifts, articulating lifts and aerial platforms. Each has specific maintenance requirements. It’s best to put together model-specific checklists in line with manufacturer guidance to ensure you cover the necessary maintenance.
Some more general maintenance pointers include:
- Inspect your aerial lift before every use.
- Book your annual inspection with a trained technician.
- Clean your aerial lifts regularly to remove buildup of dirt and grime to prevent corrosion.
- Keep a maintenance record.
- Always pay attention to how your aerial lifting operates. If something feels off, stop using the aerial lift and get a technician to check it over.
Partner With Fitzgerald Equipment for Your Aerial Lift Needs
Complying with OSHA and ANSI standards and referring to your manufacturer’s manual will ensure your aerial lift is properly maintained. In doing so, you protect your workers’ safety and extend your equipment’s service life. When you invest in quality aerial lifts, you want to ensure they’re performing optimally and delivering the most value for your business.
If you’re in northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin, Fitzgerald Equipment offers expert preventive maintenance and repairs for your aerial lift and other material handling equipment. We also offer a selection of top-quality Genie aerial lifts and a comprehensive range of other material handling equipment. If your team leader or operatives need training on material handling equipment, we can train your staff as per OSHA requirements.
With over 60 years of experience, we proudly provide our customers with the best quality products and the personal service you’d expect from a family-owned business. Find your local branch and call us today.
