Name two safety devices you should verify are functioning before operation?

• A. Emergency stop and interlock system; tilt sensors or load sensors may also be present.
• B. Horn and lights.
• C. Radio and GPS.
• D. Seat belt only.

Answer: (A)

Before operating aerial equipment, you must confirm that the machine’s safety-control features are working. The emergency stop is the critical control that halts all functions immediately if something goes wrong, so being sure it stops the system promptly is essential to protect the operator and bystanders. The interlock system is another safety gatekeeper: it prevents the machine from being operated if a guard, door, or panel isn’t properly closed or the safety prerequisites aren’t met, which helps prevent unintended movement or exposure to hazards.

If present, tilt sensors and load sensors add protection by monitoring the platform’s stability and the weight on it. A tilt sensor will trigger a shutdown or warning if the unit begins to tip beyond a safe angle, while a load sensor keeps the system from operating under an overload condition that could compromise stability or structure.

Signaling devices like horns and lights, or communication tools like radios and GPS, while important for safe operation and coordination, do not by themselves ensure that the machine can be safely started and controlled. Seat belts are important for personal protection, but the question targets devices that govern safe operation of the equipment itself, which are the emergency stop and the interlock (with tilt and load sensors as additional safety features).