Aerial Lift Certification: How It Works in Canada

An aerial lift is a machine that raises workers on a platform or bucket to work at height. In Canada they are also called mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) or elevating work platforms. The two most common types are boom lifts and scissor lifts.

Aerial lifts make work at height faster and safer than ladders for many jobs. But they bring serious risks. Tip-overs, falls from the platform, crushing against overhead objects and contact with power lines can all cause serious injuries. That is why provincial OHS regulations require employers to make sure operators are trained and competent.

Each type handles differently. Your training and practical evaluation should match the kind of lift you will actually use, and you must be familiar with the specific make and model before you operate it.

Many aerial lift problems can be caught before the lift ever leaves the ground. There are two levels of inspection:

• Pre-use (daily) inspection: the operator does a walk-around and function test before each shift. Look for leaks, damaged parts, flat or damaged tires, missing guardrails, and controls or emergency stops that do not work properly.
• Periodic inspections: more detailed checks done at set intervals by a qualified person, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

If you find a defect, do not use the lift. Tag it out of service and report it to your supervisor. Using a lift with a known fault is one of the easiest ways to turn a small problem into a serious incident.

Before setup, also check the work area: ground conditions, slopes, holes, overhead obstacles, power lines, wind and traffic. Conditions can change during a shift, so keep checking.

There is no government aerial lift licence. Provincial OHS regulations require employers to make sure operators are trained, evaluated and competent on the lift they use. The CSA B354 MEWP standards also set training and safe use requirements, and many workplaces follow them.

In practice, “certified” means you can show proof that you completed theory training, passed a hands-on practical evaluation on the type of lift, and were familiarized with the specific machine. Your employer also has to make sure lifts are inspected and maintained, and that there is a plan to rescue a worker stuck at height.

Fall protection rules differ by lift type and province. A full-body harness tied to the platform anchor is commonly required on boom lifts. Follow the manual and your site rules.

Anyone who operates a boom lift or scissor lift at work, plus supervisors and operators who need refresher theory.

Spotters and ground crew also benefit from knowing the basics. They help keep people and vehicles clear of the base, watch for overhead hazards, and need to know how to lower the platform from the ground controls in an emergency.

Gama Safety’s online Aerial Lift course has nine modules:

1. Introduction to Aerial Lifts: the main types, including boom and scissor lifts, and where each is used.
2. Safety and Regulatory Compliance: the safety rules, standards and employer duties for operators in Canada.
3. Aerial Lift Operation: setting up, driving, raising and lowering safely, and respecting load and wind limits.
4. Pre-operation Inspection: the daily walk-around and function check, and how to tag out a lift with defects.
5. Common Equipment Issues: leaks, control problems and damaged parts, and when to stop using the lift.
6. Equipment Maintenance: the basic maintenance that keeps a lift safe and the records to keep.
7. Aerial Lift Inspection: what periodic inspections cover and who can carry them out.
8. Hazard Recognition and Avoidance: tip-overs, falls, crushing, overhead obstacles and power lines.
9. Practical Training and Hands-On Operation: preparation for your in-person practical evaluation on a real lift.

The online course is the theory part. It does not make you a certified operator on its own. To operate a lift, you also need a hands-on practical evaluation on the equipment, usually done by your employer or a qualified evaluator.

Gama Safety offers hands-on aerial lift training at our Burnaby, BC training centre or on site at your workplace. Many workers do the theory online first, then book the practical, so the hands-on time is spent on the machine instead of in a classroom.

Does it expire? There is no single national expiry date in law. It depends on your province and employer, and many employers ask for refresher training every 1 to 3 years, or sooner after an incident or a move to a new type of lift.

1. Enrol in the online Aerial Lift course and start right away on any device.
2. Learn at your own pace. The course takes about 4.5 hours, and your progress saves automatically.
3. Pass the final exam with 80% or better. Retakes are unlimited and free. Download your certificate right away, and get a wallet card mailed free.
4. Complete your hands-on evaluation with your employer, a qualified evaluator, or Gama in Burnaby or at your site.

The course is available in English, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Hindi, Mandarin and more, and it is recognized by employers across Canada. Team pricing starts at 2 seats. Call 1-866-661-9803 or email info@gamasafety.ca.