Reaching new heights on the job sometimes requires going up in the air. While ladders and scaffolding are ever-present at worksites, they aren’t always the most stable or safest choice. This is where scissor lifts can help. Scissor lifts are elevating work platforms that utilize crisscrossed supports to smoothly raise employees to overhead work areas.
With proper precautions and training, scissor lifts provide an efficient and safe means of accessing height. But misuse can lead to serious accidents. This article will explore scissor lift basics, pre-operation inspections, safe operating procedures, and situational awareness when working on and around these lifts. Following the guidance here will help ensure your jobs off the ground are accomplished safely.
Scissor Lift Fundamentals
Scissor lifts are a common sight at construction sites, factories, warehouses, theaters, and anywhere else people need to reach high places. As the crisscrossed supports extend upwards, the platform rises. When the supports retract, the platform lowers. Most models utilize hydraulics or pneumatics for this scissoring action.
There are self-propelled scissor lifts powered by electric motors, diesel engines, or gas engines. Some are designed for smooth, flat floors indoors. Others are built for rough terrain and outdoor construction work. Platform heights range from just a few feet up to over 60 feet in the air depending on the model.
But don’t let the ubiquity of scissor lifts lead to complacency. Government safety statistics reveal how hazardous they can be when misused. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) estimates 100 injuries and around 8 deaths related to scissor lifts occur annually in the United States. Falls from platforms, electrocutions, and tip overs are the primary causes.
Proper training, inspections, operation, and situational awareness are all critical for safety when using scissor lifts.
Inspect Before You Climb
Thorough inspections must be carried out before any work is performed on a scissor lift. OSHA classifies scissor lifts as a type of scaffolding, so following their scaffold safety requirements is a good starting point. This includes inspecting for damage, proper tire pressure, no leaks, functional controls and safety gear, and manufacturers’ specs followed.
The work area must also be inspected to identify potential hazards. Outdoors, look for uneven ground, holes, slopes, and overhead obstructions. Indoors, check for cluttered floors, poor lighting, and low ceilings or pipes that could hit the lift.
Pre-start inspections should happen daily before use. Examine the components thoroughly:
Any problems discovered means the lift should be taken out of service until repaired by a qualified technician. Don’t risk using damaged equipment.
Once you’ve confirmed the scissor lift itself is safe, inspect the work zone. Hazards could include:
Use warning signs, cones or tape to mark off the operating area and prevent unauthorized entry. Communicate with others working in the vicinity to avoid dangerous interactions.
With careful inspections completed, it’s time to get up in the air and do the work safely.
Safe Operation Starts with Training
Only trained and authorized operators should use scissor lifts. Even if you’re an experienced operator, don’t assume every model works the same. The first resource is always the manufacturer’s operating manual, which provides vital procedures and limitations for that specific model.
Hands-on practice is essential to get familiar with the controls and feel for moving the lift. Training should cover things like:
Employers must verify competency on each type of lift. Retraining is required after any safety incidents or violations, as well as when workplace conditions change. Annual refresher training is also a good idea.
When operating scissor lifts:
Continued practice makes lifting off for overhead work as routine as riding a bike. But always respect the power these machines possess. A moment of distraction or recklessness can lead to disaster.
Staying focused on safety takes cooperation from everyone on the worksite, whether aloft on lifts or on the ground below.
Situational Awareness: Look Out, Look Down
Scissor lift operators must maintain strong situational awareness both aloft and on the ground nearby. Collisions, electrocutions and crushing injuries typically result from lack of alertness and communication.
When moving lifts, be very cautious near drop-offs, curbs, loading docks and ramps. Use a spotter if you can’t see the path clearly. Check blind spots before backing up. Inside, keep the platform centered in aisles and watch for building supports and utilities.
Outdoors, assess wind conditions. Gusts can make lifts unstable, especially at height. Avoid using lifts when winds exceed 25 mph. Firms may set lower thresholds. There’s also greater risk of being struck by lightning outdoors.
Indoors, look out for materials protruding into aisles like shelving and ductwork that could hit a raised platform or operator. Keep hair, clothing and tools secure and don’t wear loose jewellery to avoid catching on objects. Stay alert around conveyors and other machinery to prevent entanglements.
Whether indoors or out, electrocution is a hazard. Keep a minimum 10 foot clearance from power lines and other live wiring. Use non-conductive tools if working near electric sources. Immediately report any tingling feeling or arcing that could indicate contact with live current.
Proper barricades, signage, lighting and communications create a safer workspace. But those aloft on lifts have responsibilities too. Before lowering platforms, check the area below is free of workers and materials. Move carefully when visibility is limited.
Use tag lines to control loads so nothing swings into workers or equipment. Don’t overwhelm the lift capacity by taking on too much material or heavy tools. Keep the platform organized and secure objects so nothing slides or drops over the edge.
Descending from the platform at the end of a shift or job should also be done with care. Maintain three points of contact when exiting the lift. Remove any fall protection gear only after reaching the ground. Never jump from a lift platform.
Those on the Ground: Heads Up!
While scissor lift operators carry the bulk of responsibility, workers on foot near lifts also must be vigilant. Attention needs to be paid both to lifts moving around and to the potential for dropped objects from above.
Never assume those elevated in lifts are aware of your presence. Avoid passing directly underneath platforms, even if the operator is a friend you know well. Wear a hardhat in case something falls. Clear communication is vital to prevent crushing accidents.
Lift operators sometimes swing loads out or extend beyond guardrails, so keep a safe distance. Recognize blind spots and “pinch points” when lifts operate in tight quarters. Spotters helping guide lifts should use hands signals and phrases that are understood by all parties.
Sudden startup of lifts can catch pedestrians off guard even if alarms are sounding. Visually verify lifts are not moving before walking in front of or behind them. Barricade areas where mobile lifts are parked so no one accidentally walks under them.
Workers directing lift operations should be trained and authorized. They need full understanding of the equipment’s capacities and safety procedures. Trust should go both ways between lift operators and support personnel. If something feels unsafe, speak up.
Ongoing Attention Pays Off
Scissor lifts can make work at height much safer and more productive compared to ladders or makeshift scaffolding. But maintaining safety day after day requires focus. Developing habits around proper training, inspection, operation, communication and situational awareness is key.
No one becomes an expert overnight. It takes time to become fully familiar with different models. Practice specific maneuvers like reaching maximum heights, traversing uneven ground and using extensions until they become second nature.
Even after years on the job, don’t let familiarity breed complacency. Follow rules on retraining and pay attention during refresher courses. Do pre-start checks diligently each day even if it feels repetitive. Speak up when others cut corners or ignore safety procedures.
By keeping scissor lift safety foremost in each worker’s mind, jobs off the ground can be accomplished efficiently with minimized risk. The foundations laid here will support your organization’s continued success.
As we’ve explored the critical safety measures, inspections, and operations needed to handle scissor lifts, it becomes clear that proper training isn’t just an option; it’s a necessity. From understanding different types of lifts to recognizing potential hazards, effective education paves the way to a safer and more productive work environment. But where can you find comprehensive, accessible, and targeted training that fits the modern industrial and construction demands? Enter MARCOM’s full-length interactive online course.
Are you involved in construction or industrial environments, constantly battling the challenges of reaching new heights? Our Scissor Lifts in Industrial and Construction Environments course is tailored just for you. Our full-length interactive online course isn’t a mere introduction. It’s a complete guide, honed by experts, ensuring that employees don’t just use scissor lifts – they master them.
Covering essential topics such as pre-start inspections, worksite evaluations, and safe operation protocols, this course brings the whole picture into focus. With material available in both English and Spanish, we ensure no worker is left behind. Our training sets you up to move, work, and excel, all the while keeping safety as the guiding principle.
Why settle for common knowledge when you can be exceptional? Join our Scissor Lifts online course today, and elevate your workforce to new heights of safety, efficiency, and confidence.
Scissor Lifts in Industrial and Construction Environments Online Course
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