| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Traffic hazards, overhead utility lines, unstable ground, pedestrians | Walk the site; identify power lines and clearance limits; confirm ground stability; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; assign a lookout |
| Inspect bucket truck | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning outriggers, worn bucket controls, damaged lift components | Perform full pre start inspection including outriggers, boom, bucket controls, harness anchor point, lights, and alarms; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Fall hazards, eye injuries, low visibility | Wear fall protection harness, attach to approved anchor inside bucket, put on high visibility vest and gloves |
| Position bucket truck | Struck by passing vehicles, unstable setup, contacting wires | Park on level ground; deploy outriggers fully; use wheel chocks; position truck to maintain safe working distance from energized lines |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or bystanders entering swing radius or setup area | Place cones and barricades around truck; restrict access to outrigger area and underneath boom; maintain safe perimeter |
| Enter and secure bucket | Falls, slips, unanchored worker | Use three points of contact; step in carefully; attach harness lanyard to approved anchor point before raising bucket |
| Raise and operate bucket | Contact with energized lines, overhead hazards, boom entrapment | Maintain required clearance from power lines; move boom slowly and deliberately; maintain visual contact with ground crew |
| Perform overhead work | Dropped tools, falling debris, unstable work surface | Use tool lanyards; keep ground crew out of drop zone; communicate clearly using hand signals or radios |
| Maintain communication with ground crew | Miscommunication leading to unsafe movements | Use dedicated radio channel or hand signals; ground crew must monitor surroundings and warn operator of hazards |
| Monitor traffic and work zone | Vehicles drifting into lane closure, pedestrians approaching | Assign lookout to watch traffic; adjust cones and signs as needed; reposition truck if motorists appear confused |
| Lower bucket and exit | Strains, slips, unintentional boom movement | Lower bucket slowly; wait until bucket is fully at rest; disconnect lanyard only after bucket is secure; exit with three points of contact |
| Stow boom and outriggers | Contact with obstacles, pinch points | Retract boom fully; raise outriggers one at a time; ensure clear area around moving parts |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Tools left in bucket, forgotten debris in roadway | Check bucket, storage areas, and ground for tools or materials; verify work zone is cleared before reopening road |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until all devices and crew are clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest
Fall protection harness with approved lanyard
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection near traffic or equipment
Long pants and long sleeves
Always have a complete, well-stocked first aid kit available.
JSA Category: Equipment Operations
* The steps, hazards, and controls displayed above may be incomplete or not suit your department's needs. All job safety analyses should be a completed with frontline worker input to ensure that each potential hazard is identified and mitigated.
Please read about The Essentials Elements of a Solid Job Safety Anaylsis here.
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| Step | Potential Hazard | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Assess the work area | Traffic hazards, overhead utility lines, unstable ground, pedestrians | Walk the site; identify power lines and clearance limits; confirm ground stability; set up MUTCD compliant work zone; assign a lookout |
| Inspect bucket truck | Hydraulic leaks, malfunctioning outriggers, worn bucket controls, damaged lift components | Perform full pre start inspection including outriggers, boom, bucket controls, harness anchor point, lights, and alarms; remove unsafe equipment from service |
| Don required PPE | Fall hazards, eye injuries, low visibility | Wear fall protection harness, attach to approved anchor inside bucket, put on high visibility vest and gloves |
| Position bucket truck | Struck by passing vehicles, unstable setup, contacting wires | Park on level ground; deploy outriggers fully; use wheel chocks; position truck to maintain safe working distance from energized lines |
| Establish exclusion zone | Crew or bystanders entering swing radius or setup area | Place cones and barricades around truck; restrict access to outrigger area and underneath boom; maintain safe perimeter |
| Enter and secure bucket | Falls, slips, unanchored worker | Use three points of contact; step in carefully; attach harness lanyard to approved anchor point before raising bucket |
| Raise and operate bucket | Contact with energized lines, overhead hazards, boom entrapment | Maintain required clearance from power lines; move boom slowly and deliberately; maintain visual contact with ground crew |
| Perform overhead work | Dropped tools, falling debris, unstable work surface | Use tool lanyards; keep ground crew out of drop zone; communicate clearly using hand signals or radios |
| Maintain communication with ground crew | Miscommunication leading to unsafe movements | Use dedicated radio channel or hand signals; ground crew must monitor surroundings and warn operator of hazards |
| Monitor traffic and work zone | Vehicles drifting into lane closure, pedestrians approaching | Assign lookout to watch traffic; adjust cones and signs as needed; reposition truck if motorists appear confused |
| Lower bucket and exit | Strains, slips, unintentional boom movement | Lower bucket slowly; wait until bucket is fully at rest; disconnect lanyard only after bucket is secure; exit with three points of contact |
| Stow boom and outriggers | Contact with obstacles, pinch points | Retract boom fully; raise outriggers one at a time; ensure clear area around moving parts |
| Final inspection and cleanup | Tools left in bucket, forgotten debris in roadway | Check bucket, storage areas, and ground for tools or materials; verify work zone is cleared before reopening road |
| Remove traffic control | Worker exposure to live traffic during takedown | Remove devices in reverse order; maintain lookout; keep PPE on until all devices and crew are clear |
Hard hat
Safety glasses or face shield
High visibility vest
Fall protection harness with approved lanyard
Steel toe boots
Cut resistant gloves
Hearing protection near traffic or equipment
Long pants and long sleeves