The short answer: Alberta doesn’t issue a government licence to run a scissor lift or boom lift. The OHS Code puts the duty on the employer. Before a worker operates the lift, the employer has to make sure the worker is trained, has shown they’re competent, knows the machine’s operating instructions and has been authorized to use it. CSA B354.8 is the standard most Alberta employers use to structure that training.
What does “aerial lift certification” mean in Alberta?
People search for “aerial lift certification” and expect a card issued by the province. For scissor and boom lifts there isn’t one. What you have instead is a training record that shows the operator was trained, evaluated and authorized. A certificate of completion from an online course is one part of that record. It isn’t the whole thing, and it doesn’t replace the employer’s sign-off.
What the OHS Code requires
Section 256 of Alberta’s OHS Code says a worker must not operate powered mobile equipment unless the worker:
- is trained to operate the equipment safely,
- has shown competency to a competent worker the employer designates,
- is familiar with the equipment’s operating instructions, and
- is authorized by the employer to operate it.
A worker who is still in training can operate the equipment under the direct supervision of a competent worker. You can read the current wording on the Government of Alberta’s OHS legislation search tool.
How CSA B354.8 fits in
CSA B354.8 covers operator training for mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs), which includes scissor lifts and boom lifts. It breaks training into three parts, and each one needs a record:
- Theory: how the machine works, the hazards, inspection, fall protection, capacity and stability, power lines, emergencies.
- Familiarization: a walk through the controls and features of the specific make and model the operator will use.
- Practical evaluation: a qualified trainer or examiner watches the operator do the work and signs off.
Lifts are grouped as Group A or Group B, and as Type 1, 2 or 3, depending on how the platform moves and where the operator controls it from. The group and type decide what the operator needs to be trained on. The practical evaluation should be done within 90 days of finishing the theory, or the theory should be retested first, and training stays valid for no more than five years.
What goes wrong on aerial lifts
Most aerial lift deaths come from falls, tip-overs, electrocution and being crushed against something overhead. Those are the topics worth spending training time on: the pre-use inspection, fall protection, staying inside the lift’s capacity, keeping a safe distance from power lines and having a rescue plan before anyone goes up.
Need the theory part for your operators?
Scissor Lift and Boom Lift Training Online (CSA B354.8) is the online theory, about 55 minutes, $39 per learner. It includes a practical evaluation and familiarization record for your own trainer to complete on your equipment. Training a crew? Volume pricing starts at 5 seats.
Common questions
Do I need a licence to operate a scissor lift in Alberta?
There is no provincial operator licence for scissor or boom lifts. The OHS Code requires the employer to make sure the operator is trained, competent, familiar with the instructions and authorized.
Is an online course enough on its own?
No. An online course covers the theory. The operator also needs familiarization on the specific lift and a practical evaluation by a qualified trainer or examiner, and the employer authorizes the operator.
How long does aerial lift training last?
CSA B354.8 sets a maximum of five years for training validity. Operators also need retraining when something changes, such as a different type of lift or an incident.
Who can do the practical evaluation?
A qualified trainer or examiner the employer chooses. The online theory doesn’t replace this step, so it’s worth deciding who will do it before your operators start the course.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Check the current OHS Code and the standard itself for your situation. See our training disclaimer.