Summary Statement
NIOSH has completed several physical tests in a laboratory setting to evaluate the responses of an aerial lift under different ANSI and OSHA, as well as lift manufacturer recommended, safe operating conditions and limits. Before this took place, the scheduled laboratory testing, as well as other scenarios, were tested in a virtual computer environment. This allowed NIOSH researchers to identify how the lift would respond to different loading and input forces before the aforementioned testing took place, and also allowed them to determine if some testing could be too hazardous to complete in the lab (such as a lift tip over). These simulations show scenarios such as curb impact, Manikin drop, resonance, tilting, and wind force, and are useful for manufacturers, dealers, those responsible for training and for purchasing.
2015
