Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
According to both HRSDC and OSHA, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machinery capable of lifting heavy and big loads which are balanced well. They are responsible for moving employees and their materials to and from high elevations safely and efficiently. As these mobile heavy machinery are classified as heavy machines, there are numerous safety requirements that apply to the maintenance and use 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 equipment have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even employees down and up to work areas. For safety reasons, workers are not allowed to ride on a scissor lift while relocating. Usually, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the machinery while it is being used. All employees working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the equipment must be informed regarding its movement prior to the operator releasing the safety brake to be able to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy machines helps keep the working environment and all individuals in it safe.
Fall Protection
In order to ensure that workers prevent falling when using the equipment, there are some safety rules to think about regarding forklift safety standards. Although scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like for example guard rails placed around the lift perimeter as well as a lock that has 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 good safety habit employees must make is ensuring that heavy loads or anything on the lift platform is fastened down in a secure way prior to moving the lift to be certain that nothing causes anyone on the lift platform to become injured.