Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
According to both OSHA and HRSDC, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial equipment capable of lifting heavy and large cargo which are balanced well. They are responsible for transporting employees and their supplies to and from high areas in a safe and efficient way. Because these mobile heavy equipment are categorized as heavy machines, there are lots of safety requirements which apply to the maintenance and use of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts sit upon a wheeled base so they could move around to access a wider variety of areas. These pieces of machinery have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even employees down and up to work locations. 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 equipment while it is being used. All employees working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the equipment should be informed about its movement prior to the driver 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
There are several strict safety rules to follow about the safety standards for the scissor lifts in order to make certain that workers do not fall from the lift when they are utilizing it. Though scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features such as guard rails placed around the lift perimeter as well as a lock that must be engaged on the lift platform entrance whenever the lift is being used. There are also slip guards in place for added safety.
One more safety habit that workers must consider is to make sure that all loads are fastened securely prior to any lifting. This should ensure that nothing on the lift platform causes anyone to be injured.