Before Work Begins: 3 Tips When Setting Up Your Bucket Truck

Aerial devices are among the most important pieces of equipment in a utility company’s fleet. It is another tool in the utility company’s toolbox and must be maintained and used properly like any tool. While it's the responsibility of the employer to ensure that each individual operator is properly trained and qualified to operate the aerial device, it takes the whole crew to contribute to safe and efficient operations. Understanding the big picture of how the task, locale, equipment, and people must interact is essential to any utility project. There are a number of steps that a crew must follow to help ensure their work is performed safely. Here are just three of those important steps crews should assess and manage for every project.

Conduct a site survey.

• Identify potential hazards, such as buildings, ditches, drop-offs, holes, debris, sewers, overhead obstructions, electrical conductors, and underground utilities.
  
• Evaluate the ground conditions. The ground must be firm enough to support the ground bearing pressure produced by the bucket truck, including the maximum platform and jib loads, during operation. You may need to use pads under the outriggers to distribute the weight over a greater surface area. If your bucket truck does not have outriggers, or is only equipped with one set, make sure all the tires and axle suspension springs are equally loaded.  If the ground is slippery, snow covered, or icy consider how to prevent the vehicle from sliding.
  
• Consider the terrain. If the vehicle must be parked on a slope, keep the boom on the uphill side, chock the wheels and work off the rear of the truck. Per ANSI A92.2, bucket trucks are stability tested on firm, flat surfaces up to a 5° slope. Never work on a slope greater than what is allowed by the manufacturer. Use your bucket truck’s chassis level indicator to make sure the truck is always set within the manufacturer’s operational limits. Terex® utility trucks are equipped with a visual slope indicator that is used to determine if the truck is set-up within the allowable limits. Follow the instructions for your vehicle and recognize that some trucks must be level before raising the booms.

Conduct a visual inspection.

• Follow the manufacturer’s inspection and maintenance requirements:
• Perform a visual walk around inspection of the entire aerial device for things like structural issues, damaged loose or missing fasteners, pins and covers.
• Verify the ground and platform controls are operating properly.
• Check oil, fuel, tires, suspension, torsion bars, outriggers, and safety equipment for any leaks, loose items, cracks, or damage before work begins.
• Raise and lower the booms through a complete cycle using the lower controls, looking for any malfunction or problems.
• Repair items, if needed, before use.  Always contact the manufacturer if there is any question if something needs to be repaired.

Hold job site briefing with crew.

• Review conditions of the job site and potential hazards. One of the biggest challenges is being exposed to traffic. Line personnel need to take traffic control efforts seriously, including positioning signs, or flagmen if needed, before and after the work area to catch the attention of drivers sharing the road. Do not position boom in open traffic lanes.
  
• Review necessary tools and equipment. Aerial devices are designed to lift personnel. Do not use them to lift or lower objects unless the aerial device was specifically designed and equipped to do so (e.g. jib). Know what the maximum bucket, and material handling (if applicable), load capacity is and do not exceed it at any point during operation. That means, you need to know how much each person, tool and accessory weighs before getting into the bucket. Anticipate how much weight could be added during operation from jobsite materials, e.g. wood chips that accumulate during work. Operators must wear an OSHA compliant fall arrest system with a lanyard attached to the aerial device anchorage at all times. Crews must also be equipped with other PPE, including insulated hard hat, hearing and eye protection, proper boots, and suitable clothing. Consider the potential for arc flash exposure and provide additional PPE as required.