Low PPE compliance?

Aerial lift safety does not just involve the operator and the equipment.  PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is also an important aspect of a safe work environment.  As a reminder, it is the employer’s responsibility to provide PPE to all employees free of charge.  But it is the employee’s responsibility to actually use the equipment.

According to a recent survey, 89% of employers (across many fields) had seen their employees not using PPE when they should have been.  And when asked why their workers were not using correct PPE, the responders said that the workers thought the PPE was not required.  In other words, the workers were not properly trained.

What PPE should aerial lift operators be using when using equipment?

• Hard Hat
• Harness (in a boom type lift). For full guidance on Harness use, please refer to the AWPT H1 Statement
• Safety Goggles (type depends on Risk Assessment)
• Gloves (type depends on Risk Assessment)

Workers should also be wearing appropriate boots, whether steel-toed or not.  Clothing appropriate for the weather and work should always be worn.  Again, a risk assessment by the employer should inform these decisions.

Proper training by a qualified instructor, such as the AWPT operator program delivered by the Institute for Aerial Lift Safety will ensure that operators are clear on the necessity for correct PPE use at all times.