Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
According to both OSHA and HRSDC, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machines capable of lifting heavy and big loads that are well balanced. They are responsible for moving employees and their supplies to and from high areas safely and efficiently. As these mobile heavy machinery are classified as heavy machines, there are many safety standards which apply to the use and maintenance of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts sit upon a wheeled base so they can move around to access a wider variety of places. These pieces of machinery have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even employees up and down to work locations. For safety reasons, employees are not permitted to ride on a scissor lift when relocating. Generally, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the equipment while it is being utilized. All staff working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the machinery have to be informed about its movement prior to the operator releasing the safety brake to be able to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy machinery helps keep the working environment and all those in it safe.
Fall Protection
In order to guarantee that employees prevent falling when utilizing the machinery, there are several safety rules to consider regarding forklift safety standards. Though scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like guard rails positioned around the lift perimeter in addition to a lock which needs to be engaged on the lift platform entrance each time the lift is being used. There are also slip guards in position for added safety.
One more safety habit that employees must think about is to make sure that all loads are fastened safely before any lifting. This should ensure that nothing on the lift platform causes anyone to be injured.