1926.453(a): Aerial Lift Design and Field Modifications
Employers must use aerial lifts acquired on or after January 22, 1973 that are designed and built to ANSI A92.2-1969; older lifts that do not meet it may not be used unless modified to conform. Aerial lifts include extensible and articulating boom platforms, aerial ladders, vertical towers and combinations, and may be field modified only if certified in writing by the manufacturer or an equivalent entity.
Key takeaways
- 1926.453(a) is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart L).
- OSHA cited it 15 times in the last 3 years, in 15 inspections, with $72,989 in current penalties.
- Most citations: NY (4), TX (2), NJ (2).
- Related part: 1926.453(a)(2) (13 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.453(a) ("General requirements") is one requirement inside 1926.453 Aerial lifts, an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart L). It includes 7 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(a) General requirements. 15 citations
(1) Unless otherwise provided in this section, aerial lifts acquired for use on or after January 22, 1973 shall be designed and constructed in conformance with the applicable requirements of the American National Standards for “Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms,” ANSI A92.2-1969, including appendix. Aerial lifts acquired before January 22, 1973 which do not meet the requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969, may not be used after January 1, 1976, unless they shall have been modified so as to conform with the applicable design and construction requirements of ANSI A92.2-1969. Aerial lifts include the following types of vehicle-mounted aerial devices used to elevate personnel to job-sites above ground: Open (a)(1) 2 citations
(i) Extensible boom platforms;
(ii) Aerial ladders;
(iii) Articulating boom platforms;
(iv) Vertical towers; and
(v) A combination of any such devices. Aerial equipment may be made of metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP), or other material; may be powered or manually operated; and are deemed to be aerial lifts whether or not they are capable of rotating about a substantially vertical axis. Open (a)(1)(v)
(2) Aerial lifts may be “field modified” for uses other than those intended by the manufacturer provided the modification has been certified in writing by the manufacturer or by any other equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory, to be in conformity with all applicable provisions of ANSI A92.2-1969 and this section and to be at least as safe as the equipment was before modification. Open (a)(2) 13 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1926.453.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 8 |
Top states: NY (4), TX (2), NJ (2), VT (1), MA (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| BETTE & CRING, LLC | ALBANY, NY | $14,895 |
| WILDWOOD HOSPITALITY GROUP LLC | WILDWOOD, NJ | $11,585 |
| J.C.R. CONSTRUCTION CO., INC. | NEWPORT, VT | $10,046 |
| LUIS SILVA | DALLAS, TX | $4,965 |
| WOW CONSTRUCTION, INC. | HACKENSACK, NJ | $4,965 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.453(a), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- Whether a manufacturer-stipulated minimum anchor point elevation of 18 feet precludes the use of a shock absorbing lanyard in an aerial lift. (2009-01-14)
- The requirements for vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating aerial devices; effect of revised ANSI A92.2 standards. (2005-11-08)
- Safety Standards regulating the stability of mobile scaffolds, scissor lifts, and aerial work platforms. (2002-06-10)
- Applicable standards to protect employees, not engaged in electrical work, operating an aerial lift within 10 feet of overhead electrical lines. (2001-09-25)
- Standards applicable to aerial lifts; acceptable uses of body belts as restraint systems and positioning devices. (2001-05-11)
Related parts of this rule
- 1926.453(a)(2) 13 citations
- 1926.453(a)(1) 2 citations
- 1926.453(a)(1)(v)
Get your crew competent
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Frequently asked questions
What types of equipment count as aerial lifts?
Vehicle-mounted extensible boom platforms, aerial ladders, articulating boom platforms, vertical towers, and any combination of these.
Can we modify an aerial lift for a different use?
Only if the modification is certified in writing by the manufacturer or an equivalent entity, such as a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
Does it matter what the lift is made of?
No. Lifts may be metal, wood, fiberglass reinforced plastic or other material, powered or manual, and still count as aerial lifts.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.453 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-19
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.