Working with aerial lifts can be quite dangerous. As a result, the industry developed standards that help maintain safety guidelines. In particular, aerial lift operators must follow certain safety standards while using lifts. But, the lifts themselves must also adhere to safety guidelines. For example, lift decals are part of the OSHA standards. Lift decals are safety labels that must be visible to operators and may not be damaged, illegible or omitted from the machine. Therefore, every aerial device needs safety labels, which are legible.
What are Aerial Lift Decals
Essentially, lift decals are the sticker signs you find positioned on a lift listing its correct usage guidelines and safety measures. Additionally, industry guidelines also mandate that all safety decals are clearly visible in an accessible area of the machine and durable! Ultimately, decals are intended to help provide a safe working environment, which is why they are so important.
“The American National Standards Institute defines machinery manufacturers’ placement of lift decals – but it’s up to the lift owner to ensure these decals are kept legible and visible. If dirt or markings cover any information on the decal, it’s important to clean or replace them. Use mild soap and water for cleaning, and be sure to avoid solvent-based cleaners as these may damage the sign material.”
It may be easy to skim over these stickers without really taking in the information – but that’s exactly what you don’t want to do. Reading through and understanding the information on safety decals is compulsory to operate an aerial lift. Encourage lift operators to read through this information by placing them in highly visible, accessible spaces on your lift. Finally, lift decals help keep your operations smooth and safe. For instance, they are easy to implement and available at very little cost. If you’re not sure which decals are right for your machinery, feel free to reach out to us here at Aerial Equipment Parts for input from industry professionals.
Types of Lift Decals
In addition to OSHA guidelines, ANSI standards also require the use of lift decals. These aerial lift decals include color coded labels that include standard symbols and demonstrate product safety signs. For reference, the following ANSI standards relate to safety decals:
- ANSI Z535.1 – Safety Color Code
- ANSI Z535.3 – Criteria for Safety Symbols
- ANSI Z535.4 – Product Safety Signs and Labels
For more on information on the types of lift decals that are required:
- Safety alert decals: Safety symbol that alerts operators to potentially personal injury hazards. Operators should obey all messages that follow these symbols to reduce possible injury or death.
- Danger decals: Marked by a red header and the safety symbol. These decals indicate situations that could also result in serious injury or death.
- Warning decals: Marked by an orange header and include the safety alert symbol. These decals indicate hazardous scenarios that could lead to serious injury or death.
- Caution decals: Marked by a yellow header and include the safety alert symbol. These decals indicate potentially hazardous situations that could lead to minor or moderate personal injury.
- Instruction decals: Marked by a green header. These decals provide instruction and how-to information.
- Notice decals: Marked by a green header. These decals show property damage information.
- Miscellaneous decals: Covering a range of information from lanyard attachment placement to tire load, miscellaneous decals can vary for different applications.
Plus, each aerial device includes an operating manual that explains the different decal colors and banners that must be placed on the aerial devices.
Proper Lift Maintenance Includes Safety Decals
Maintaining the lift decals on your aerial device is as important as maintaining the machine itself. For example, if dirt or debris from job sites cover the safety labels, then it is vital to clean the decals. Fortunately, some mild soap and water typically clean the safety labels. However, it is important not to use solvent-based cleaners, which potentially damage the decal and make it illegible.
Additionally, decal inspectors will ensure that each and every decal is legible and placed in the correct place on your aerial devices. Along those lines, decals must be part of the routine pre-use inspection. Operators should inspect lift decals for condition, legibility and positioning.
Finally, if your aerial devices need lift decal replacements, you are in luck. Here at Aerial Equipment Parts, we carry the most important safety decals specific to top lift manufacturers including Skyjack, JLG and Genie. Plus, most of our reps started in our warehouse fulfilling orders and worked their way up to phone support, so when you call AEP you will speak with someone who knows aerial lift parts. For any aerial lift equipment questions, contact us today at 303-704-7000 or contact@aerialequipmentparts.com.