OSHA 1926.453(b)(2)(v): fall protection in aerial lifts
Under 29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(v), a worker in an aerial lift must wear a body belt with a lanyard attached to the boom or basket. Since January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system, only in tethering or restraint systems.
Official text
(b)(2)(v) A body belt shall be worn and a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift. Note to paragraph (b)(2)(v): As of January 1, 1998, subpart M of this part (§ 1926.502(d)) provides that body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. The use of a body belt in a tethering system or in a restraint system is acceptable and is regulated under § 1926.502(e).Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(2)(iv) Employees shall always stand firmly on the floor of the basket, and shall not sit or climb on the edge of the basket or use planks, ladders, or other devices for a work position.Read the full section on eCFR
(b)(2)(ii) Only authorized persons shall operate an aerial lift.Read the full section on eCFR
What it requires, in plain English
- A lanyard is attached to the boom or basket whenever the employee works from an aerial lift.
- As of January 1, 1998, a body belt may be used only in a tethering or restraint system under 1926.502(e), not as part of a personal fall arrest system.
- Employees stand firmly on the basket floor and do not sit or climb on the edge or use planks, ladders or other devices for a work position.
- Only authorized persons operate the aerial lift.
Where it shows up on site
- A worker in a boom lift basket wearing a harness with the lanyard unclipped
- A lanyard tied to the adjacent structure instead of the basket anchor
- A worker standing on the midrail or a bucket to reach higher
Verify on site before you call it
A photo rarely shows every fact a standard depends on. Confirm these in person before treating the condition as a violation:
- Is the equipment an aerial lift covered by 1926.453, such as a boom-supported platform, rather than a scissor lift treated as a scaffold?
- Is the lanyard attached to the boom or basket anchor outside the photo?
- Is the worker wearing a harness or a body belt, and is the system set up for restraint or for arrest?
- Is the operator authorized to run this lift?
Typical corrective actions
- Have the worker attach the lanyard to the manufacturer’s anchor on the boom or basket before continuing.
- Get workers off guardrails, buckets or ladders inside the basket and keep them on the floor.
- Check that the harness or belt and lanyard suit the restraint or arrest arrangement in use.
- Confirm the operator is authorized for the lift.
Common questions
Do you have to tie off in a boom lift?
Yes. 1926.453(b)(2)(v) requires a lanyard attached to the boom or basket when working from an aerial lift. The lanyard is attached to the lift, not to a nearby structure.
Can a body belt be used in an aerial lift?
The note to 1926.453(b)(2)(v) says that as of January 1, 1998, body belts are not acceptable as part of a personal fall arrest system. A body belt may still be used in a tethering or restraint system, regulated under 1926.502(e).
Turn the observation into a notice
Record what the photo shows, confirm the on-site checks above, and identify the responsible company and due date. Use the fillable construction safety notice template or follow aworked example from observation to verified fix. Cirqify can draft the notice from your circled photo for you to review.
Related standards
This guide summarizes federal OSHA construction standards for general information. It is not legal advice. States with their own OSHA-approved plans may set different or additional requirements; see federal and state coverage.