Published: July 2025

What Supervisors Need to Know About OSHA’s 2025 Aerial Lift Standards Update

Aerial lifts—from boom lifts to scissor lifts and vehicle-mounted platforms—are a common sight on industrial job sites. Whether you oversee construction, maintenance, or warehousing operations, these machines help workers access hard-to-reach areas efficiently. But they also come with significant risk.

To help reduce that risk and strengthen accountability, OSHA has updated its standards governing aerial lifts as of 2025. For supervisors, these changes bring new expectations around training, inspections, data tracking, and documentation.

This article breaks down what’s changed, what it means for your site, and what you need to do next.

Overview of the 2025 OSHA Aerial Lift Revisions

The 2025 update builds upon OSHA’s existing rules under 29 CFR 1926.453 and references the ANSI A92 suite of standards for Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWPs). Key updates include:

1. Operator-Specific Evaluation Every Three Years
   Similar to forklift regulations, aerial lift operators must now undergo formal re-evaluation every three years, or sooner following a safety incident, near-miss, or observed unsafe behavior.
2. Mandatory Digital Documentation for Pre-Use Inspections
   Employers are now encouraged (and in many cases expected) to use digital platforms to track daily inspections. Paper forms are still allowed, but they must be complete, legible, and stored for at least one year.
3. Stricter Guidance on Fall Protection Systems
   All operators in boom-type lifts must use a personal fall arrest system (PFAS) attached to an authorized anchor point. Scissor lift operators must use guardrails properly but are not typically required to use a PFAS unless specified by the manufacturer.
4. Reinforced Requirements for Site-Specific Risk Assessments
   Supervisors are now explicitly required to conduct and document a site-specific risk assessment prior to any aerial lift use. This includes terrain conditions, overhead hazards, wind speed, and proximity to electrical lines.
5. Training Accountability for Site Leaders
   Supervisors are now responsible for verifying that each operator has received training aligned with the specific model and conditions of the lift being used.
   

Why the Changes Matter

These updates aim to address ongoing hazards such as tip-overs, falls, electrocutions, and crushing incidents. By shifting more accountability onto supervisors and standardizing digital recordkeeping, OSHA is reinforcing a proactive, data-driven safety culture.

Non-compliance can result in steep citations, especially if an accident occurs and training, inspection, or risk assessment records are missing or incomplete.

ISO 21455

Another emphasis for the new year is the training standard for MEWP joystick operation, titled under ISO 21455. According to ForConstructionPros, ISO 21455 says aerial lift and platform operators must be familiar with joystick direction and force, actuation ergonomics, and the understanding of visual cues. ISO 21455 has been implemented to improve global standardization to allow for more efficient workdays and less overall accidents.

Action Items for Industrial Supervisors

To comply with the 2025 standards, supervisors should:

• Conduct and document site-specific hazard assessments for every lift operation
• Review and update aerial lift training protocols
• Set up or transition to a digital inspection tracking system
• Verify that all operators are using appropriate fall protection per lift type
• Maintain thorough documentation of operator evaluations and refresher training

The 2025 aerial lift standard revisions emphasize clarity, consistency, and prevention. For supervisors, the message is clear: document everything, know your site, and stay ahead of training and safety planning. These standards aren’t just regulatory checkboxes—they’re a blueprint for safer, smarter job sites.

Helpful Links & Resources

• OSHA Aerial Lift Requirements (29 CFR 1926.453)
• ANSI A92 Standards for MEWPs
• NIOSH Fall Prevention Guidelines
• OSHA’s Fall Protection eTool

FAQs

Q: Are scissor lift operators required to wear fall protection in 2025?
A: Not universally. Operators must use guardrails properly, and fall protection (PFAS) is only required if the manufacturer or site-specific conditions call for it. However, fall protection equipment is still a good safety habit for peace of mind.

Q: Can I still use paper checklists for lift inspections?
A: Yes, but they must be stored for at least one year and be legible, complete, and readily available during audits. Digital tools are now strongly recommended. Prosafe provides daily machinery inspections, which are available with certification courses.

Q: How often should aerial lift operators be evaluated?
A: Every three years, or immediately following any incident, unsafe behavior, or change in equipment or work conditions.

Q: Who is responsible for ensuring operator training is site- and model-specific?
A: Supervisors or designated safety personnel are directly accountable under the 2025 update.