Wind limits by type of equipment
| Equipment | Wind rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Aerial lift (MEWP) | The rated wind speed on the data plate and in the manual. Outdoor-rated lifts: typically 28 mph (12.5 m/s) at the platform. Indoor-only: 0. | Manufacturer, ANSI A92 and EN 280 design standards; OSHA 1926.453 requires use within manufacturer limits. |
| Crane personnel basket | When wind (sustained or gusts) exceeds 20 mph at the platform, a qualified person must decide whether it is safe; if it is not, the lift does not start or is stopped. | OSHA 1926.1431 |
| Scaffold | No work during storms or high winds unless a competent person decides it is safe and workers have fall arrest or wind screens. | OSHA 1926.451(f)(12) |
| Ladder, roof, rope access | No set number. The employer must manage the hazard under the OSH Act general duty clause and the system's own instructions. | OSH Act 5(a)(1) |
Ratings differ by machine, and some also give a separate gust limit: our A‑210, for example, works in winds up to 27 mph with gusts to 36 mph. Always use the figure for the exact machine.
Why the wind at the basket is what matters
- Wind grows with height. IPAF notes that wind can be about 50% stronger at 20 m (65 ft) than at ground level. At 150 or 300 ft, the difference can be larger still.
- Gusts, not averages. A forecast of 15 mph can carry gusts of 30. Check the gust forecast, not just the average.
- Buildings funnel wind. Between tall buildings or at a corner, wind speeds up. A calm street can still mean strong wind up at the 20th floor.
- Sail area. Plywood, signs, glass panels, banners and tarps catch the wind and add load the lift was not rated for. Manufacturers warn against adding area to the basket in wind.
That is why our lifts carry a wind meter in the basket: the operator sees the actual wind at the work, not a forecast for the airport.
How to judge the wind without a meter
A wind meter is the right tool, but the Beaufort scale gives a quick check from what you can see:
- 13 to 18 mph (moderate breeze): dust and loose paper blow around, small branches move.
- 19 to 24 mph (fresh breeze): small trees sway.
- 25 to 31 mph (strong breeze): large branches move, wires whistle, umbrellas are hard to hold. This is where most outdoor-rated lifts reach their limit, and the wind at the basket is likely stronger.
- 32 to 38 mph (near gale): whole trees move, walking into the wind is hard. Lifts should be down.
A stop-work plan for wind
Before the job
- Know the rated wind speed of the lift you will use, and how you will measure wind at the basket.
- Check the forecast for gusts and thunderstorms, hour by hour, for the whole shift.
- Schedule loads that catch the wind (panels, signs, glass) for the calmest hours.
- Secure loose material on roofs and on the ground.
During the job
- Watch the wind meter. At the rated limit, bring the basket down and stow the boom.
- Stop at the first rumble of thunder and wait 30 minutes after the last one before going back up.
- Keep harnesses clipped to the basket and tools tethered; wind turns dropped objects into projectiles.
- Wear eye protection when dust and debris are blowing.
After high winds
- Check the work area, temporary structures and anything that could have come loose before going back up.
Why a rigid boom handles wind better than a crane basket
A crane basket hangs on a cable, so wind makes it swing and turn, and the crane operator often cannot see the people in it. A boom lift basket sits on a rigid boom and is kept level, so it moves only where the operator moves it. On a cell tower upgrade in Tampa, a couple of blocks from the ocean, the client had been working from a crane basket. Our A‑210, rated for 27 mph winds with gusts to 36, carried the crew for 12 working days, and the crew said the basket did not shake, rattle or swing.
See boom lift vs crane man basket.
Other weather
Wind often comes with rain, lightning or cold. See working in the rain and aerial lifts in bad weather, season by season. For everything else about safe lift use, see 18 tips on operating a boom lift safely.
Quick answers
What is the OSHA wind speed limit for working at height?
OSHA has no single number. Aerial lifts must stay within the manufacturer's wind rating, typically 28 mph for outdoor-rated lifts. For crane personnel baskets, wind above 20 mph means a qualified person must decide whether lifting is safe. Scaffold work stops in high winds unless a competent person approves it.
What wind speed is too high for a boom lift?
Whatever the lift's data plate says. Most outdoor-rated lifts are rated for 28 mph (12.5 m/s) at the platform; some also give a gust limit, such as our A-210 at 27 mph with gusts to 36 mph. Indoor-only lifts are rated for no wind.
Is wind stronger at height?
Yes. IPAF notes wind can be about 50% stronger at 65 ft than at ground level, and buildings can funnel it further. Measure the wind at the basket.
Can you work on a scaffold in high winds?
Only if a competent person has decided it is safe and workers are protected by fall arrest or wind screens, under OSHA 1926.451(f)(12).
What should you do when the wind picks up in a boom lift?
Watch the wind meter, avoid carrying panels or sheets that catch the wind, and at the rated limit bring the basket down and stow the boom until the wind drops.
