Hard limits in any season
| Condition | Rule | More |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | Stay within the lift's rated wind speed, measured at the basket. Outdoor-rated lifts are typically rated for 28 mph. | Working in wind |
| Lightning | Basket down at the first sound of thunder; back up 30 minutes after the last. | Working in the rain |
| Power lines | At least 10 ft from lines up to 50 kV, more for higher voltages. In rain, more room, not less. | 18 safety tips |
| Visibility | If the operator cannot see the basket's path and the area below, the lift stays put. | How our lifts keep crews safe |
Spring: thunderstorms and soft ground
- Thunderstorms build fast in spring and come with gusts well above the average wind. Check the hourly forecast for the whole shift, not just the morning.
- Soft ground. Thawing soil and spring rain reduce how much weight the ground can carry. Outriggers go on pads, and the setup spot is checked for soft shoulders, lawns, vaults and covers. On a slope or soft ground, a truck-mounted lift that levels on its own outriggers has an advantage over a machine that drives on its wheels.
- Flooding and runoff undermine ground and pavement. Do not set up in standing water or on washed-out edges.
- Slippery access roads. Wet roads and mud at the site entrance slow every delivery, so plan the route onto the site.
Summer: heat
Heat is the biggest summer risk at height. A worker who gets dizzy in the basket is far from help, and metal rails and decks in direct sun get hot.
- Water, rest, shade. That is OSHA's own heat safety message: drink before you are thirsty, take breaks out of the sun, and plan them into the day.
- New workers first. OSHA warns that most outdoor heat deaths happen in the first days of work in the heat, before the body adapts. Build up exposure over the first week.
- Know the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke: confusion, slurred speech, hot dry skin or heavy sweating, fainting. Heat stroke is an emergency: bring the basket down and call 911.
- Schedule the hottest work for the morning, and watch for the afternoon thunderstorms summer brings.
- Shade the basket. Our baskets can take a sunshade, a fan or in-basket A/C. See boom lift accessories.
Fall: wind season and short days
- Wind picks up in fall, and coastal storms and the tail of hurricane season bring strong gusts. Measure the wind at the basket, not on the ground.
- Early dark. Work that runs past sunset needs lighting on the work area and the ground below. Plan the shift so the basket is down, or lit, before it gets dark.
- Wet leaves on sidewalks, roofs and decks are as slippery as ice.
Winter: ice, snow and cold
- Ice on the basket floor. Water on the floor freezes. Clear snow and ice before going up, and wear boots with grip. Our baskets can be fitted with a heater and a heated floor.
- Snow and ice add weight. Clear the basket before loading, so snow does not eat into the rated load.
- Cold stress. OSHA warns that hypothermia can set in even above 40 °F when a worker is wet and in the wind, and the wind is stronger at height. Dress in layers, keep spares dry, and plan warm breaks.
- The machine in the cold. Follow the manufacturer's cold-weather start and warm-up procedure, and check controls and hydraulics in the daily inspection.
- Snowstorms cut visibility. If the operator cannot see the path, the lift waits.
Weather is not always a reason to stop. In Philadelphia, a crumbling 1870 church spire was dropping stone and had to be netted. A crane basket could swing into the stone in the winter wind, and scaffolding would have meant drilling into it. From our A‑300, the operator moved the basket around the steeple through a major snowstorm, wind and sleet, and the netting was up in three days. Read the case.
Weather checklist for work at height
- Hourly forecast for the shift: gusts, thunder, temperature, precipitation.
- Lift's wind rating known, wind measured at the basket.
- Stop rule agreed: who calls it, where the crew waits, when they go back up.
- Ground under the outriggers checked after rain or thaw, pads in place.
- Basket floor clear of water, snow and ice; tools tethered.
- Water and shade in heat; dry layers and warm breaks in cold.
- Lighting if the work may run past dark.
With an operated rental, our operator watches the wind meter and the sky so your crew can focus on the work.
Quick answers
Can you use an aerial lift in bad weather?
Yes, within limits. Stay inside the lift's wind rating, stop for lightning, and manage rain, heat and cold with footing, breaks and protective gear. If the operator cannot see the basket's path, the lift stays put.
Can you use a boom lift in the snow?
Yes, if the wind is within the rating and the operator can see. Clear snow and ice from the basket floor before going up, and remember that snow adds weight to the basket.
How cold is too cold to work on a lift?
OSHA has no temperature cut-off. Cold stress depends on temperature, wind and wetness: hypothermia can set in above 40 °F when a worker is wet and in the wind. Check the manufacturer's limits for the machine too.
How do you protect workers from heat at height?
Water, rest and shade, more breaks for new workers while they adapt, the hardest work early in the day, and a sunshade or A/C on the basket where possible.
When can you go back up after a thunderstorm?
30 minutes after the last thunder.
