Does "Subpart F - Powered Platforms, Manlifts and Vehicle Mounted Work Platforms" Apply to You?

Are your powered platforms permanently dedicated to providing interior or exterior building maintenance of a specific structure or group of structures? If yes, then the powered platforms for building maintenance standard applies to you as it applies only to powered platform installations permanently dedicated to providing interior or exterior building maintenance of a specific structure or group of structures. 

This standard does not apply to suspended scaffolds (swinging scaffolds) used to service buildings on a temporary basis and covered under general industry standards, subpart D - walking-working surfaces, nor to suspended scaffolds used for construction work and covered under the construction standard, subpart L - scaffolds.

This standard provides requirements for a written assurance (i.e., inspection, tested, maintained) by building owners, use of powered platforms in affected parts of buildings, installation and equipment, inspection and tests, maintenance and training. Appendix A provides examples of equipment and methods to assist the employer in meeting the requirements of the indicated provision of the standard, appendix B illustrates typical platform stabilization systems which are addressed in the standard, and appendix D provides mandatory building and equipment requirements for applicable permanent installations. This standard also provides definitions such as:

Suspended scaffold (swinging scaffold) means a scaffold supported on wire or other ropes, used for work on, or for providing access to, vertical sides of structures on a temporary basis. Such scaffold is not designed for use on a specific structure or group of structures.

Self powered platform means a working platform where the hoist(s) used to raise or lower the platform is mounted on the platform.

Building maintenance means operations such as window cleaning, caulking, metal polishing, reglazing, and general maintenance on building surfaces.

More related information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topic page for emergency action plans and scaffolds.

Before you answer yes, consider the following definition for aerial devices. The standard defines an aerial device as any vehicle-mounted device, telescoping or articulating device, or both, which is used to position personnel. In addition, for the purposes of this standard, vehicle is defined as any carrier that is not manually propelled.

They include the following aerial devices used to elevate personnel to jobsites above ground: 

• Extensible boom platforms - An aerial device (except ladders) with a telescopic or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extensible boom platforms when used with a personnel platform. 
• Aerial ladders - An aerial device consisting of a single- or multiple-section extensible ladder. 
• Articulating boom platforms - An aerial device (except ladders) with a telescopic or extensible boom. Telescopic derricks with personnel platform attachments shall be considered to be extensible boom platforms when used with a personnel platform. 
• Vertical towers - An aerial device designed to elevate a platform in a substantially vertical axis, and 
• A combination of any of the above.

If the answer to the question above is yes, then you need to comply with the vehicle mounted elevating and rotating work platforms standard. The standard provides general requirements for construction, design, and field modifications. It also provides specific requirements for ladder trucks, tower trucks, and extensible and articulating boom platforms (i.e., welding, electrical tests, bursting safety factor, personal fall arrest systems).  

Note: The requirements do not apply to firefighting equipment or to the vehicles upon which aerial devices are mounted except with respect to the requirement that the vehicle be a stable support for the aerial device [Reference vehicle mounted elevating and rotating work platforms, paragraph (b)(3)].

Additional information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics pages for aerial lifts, welding and cutting, electrical safety and fall protection.

Before you answer yes, consider the definition for a manlift. The standard defines a manlift as a device consisting of a power-driven endless belt moving in one direction only, and provided with steps or platforms and handholds attached to it for the transportation of personnel from floor to floor. 

Do your "manlifts" meet the definition above? If yes, then you need to comply with the standard on manlifts.

This standard applies to the construction, maintenance, inspection, and operation of manlifts in relation to accident hazards. Manlifts covered by this standard are intended for conveyance of persons only. This standard does not cover moving stairways, elevators with enclosed platforms ("Paternoster" elevators), gravity lifts, or conveyors used only for conveying material.

More information can be found on the A-Z safety and health topics page for manlifts.