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MEWPs: Safe Operation of Aerial Lifts

26 minutesEN / ES / MLCCSafety Training29 CFR 1926.453, ANSI A92.22, ANSI A92.24
Quick Answer

MEWPs: Safe Operation of Aerial Lifts is a 26-minute online course that trains employees on the safe operation of Mobile Elevating Work Platforms including boom lifts, cherry pickers, and vehicle-mounted aerial devices as required by OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.453 and ANSI A92 standards. It is designed for aerial lift operators, supervisors, and maintenance personnel and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

An average of 26 construction workers die each year from aerial lift incidents, representing 2-3% of all construction fatalities. Falls, electrocutions, and tip-overs are the leading causes. The International Powered Access Federation reported that overturns were the most common incident type in 2024, resulting in 11 fatalities and 19 major injuries globally. OSHA regulates aerial lift safety under 29 CFR 1926.453, and the ANSI A92 suite of standards - updated in 2020 and further refined through 2025 - established detailed requirements for operator training, supervisor qualifications, and site-specific rescue plans. Failing to train MEWP operators is a direct OSHA violation with serious penalties up to $16,550 per citation.

This course prepares your employees to safely operate aerial lifts including articulating and telescopic boom lifts, bucket trucks, and vehicle-mounted platforms. Your team will learn pre-operation inspections, load capacity awareness, fall protection requirements while on the platform, safe positioning near overhead hazards and power lines, and emergency descent procedures. The training covers OSHA and ANSI requirements that apply to both construction and general industry workplaces.

What You'll Learn

  • MEWP classifications including Group A (scissor lifts) and Group B (boom lifts) under ANSI A92
  • Pre-operation inspections of hydraulic systems, controls, and safety devices
  • OSHA fall protection requirements for aerial lift platforms under 29 CFR 1926.453
  • Safe positioning and maintaining clearance from overhead power lines and obstructions
  • Load capacity limits, platform stability, and tip-over prevention
  • Emergency descent procedures and site-specific rescue planning per ANSI A92.22
  • Ground conditions assessment and outrigger deployment for stable operation

Who Needs This Training

  • Boom lift and bucket truck operators in construction, maintenance, and utility work
  • Facility maintenance workers who use aerial lifts for building repairs and installations
  • Supervisors responsible for overseeing aerial lift operations on job sites
  • Warehouse employees who operate vehicle-mounted aerial platforms
  • Telecommunications and electrical workers performing tasks at height
  • Safety managers developing MEWP training programs to meet ANSI A92.24 requirements

Regulatory Background

Aerial lift operations are regulated under OSHA 29 CFR 1926.453 for construction and 29 CFR 1910.67 for general industry vehicle-mounted platforms. The ANSI A92 suite - including A92.20 (Design), A92.22 (Safe Use), and A92.24 (Training) - provides the industry consensus standards that OSHA references during inspections and enforcement actions. Under ANSI A92.24, operators must receive equipment-specific training before use, and refresher training is required at least every three years or sooner if unsafe behavior is observed or equipment changes. Supervisors must also complete specific training on hazard recognition and operator evaluation. Fall protection violations remain OSHA's most-cited standard, with 5,914 violations in FY 2025. Serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550, while willful violations can reach $165,514. Employers must document all MEWP training and maintain records of operator competency evaluations.

Frequently Asked Questions

This course satisfies the formal instruction (theory) component of OSHA's training requirements under 29 CFR 1926.453 and aligns with ANSI A92.24 training standards. OSHA and ANSI both require a two-part training process: formal instruction plus a hands-on practical evaluation using the specific equipment the operator will use. Employers must complete the hands-on evaluation portion at their worksite and document both components.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.453 is the legally enforceable federal regulation that establishes minimum safety requirements. The ANSI A92 standards are voluntary industry consensus standards that provide more detailed guidance on design, safe use, and training. While ANSI standards are not law, OSHA frequently references them during inspections and uses them to establish what constitutes industry best practice. Employers following both OSHA and ANSI requirements are best positioned for compliance.
OSHA does not set a fixed retraining interval under 29 CFR 1926.453 but requires retraining when unsafe operation is observed, after incidents, or when workplace conditions change. ANSI A92.24 recommends refresher training at least every three years. Most safety professionals follow the three-year ANSI guideline as a minimum, with additional retraining triggered by near-misses, new equipment, or changes in job site conditions.
No. OSHA regulates boom lifts (articulating and telescopic) under 29 CFR 1926.453 (Aerial Lifts). Scissor lifts are classified as mobile scaffolds and fall under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolding). However, the ANSI A92 standards cover both types under the broader MEWP classification - Group A for scissor lifts and Group B for boom lifts. Training requirements and fall protection rules differ between the two categories.
Falls from the platform, electrocution from contact with overhead power lines, and tip-overs account for the vast majority of aerial lift fatalities. IPAF global data from 2024 showed overturns as the most common incident type, with falls and entrapment also significant contributors. Most incidents are preventable through proper training, pre-operation inspections, site assessments, and adherence to manufacturer operating limits.
$29.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$29.95
10 - 24$23.95
25 - 49$21.55
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $29.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$29.95
per person