Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Based on both OSHA and HRSDC, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machines capable of lifting heavy and big cargo that are well balanced. They are responsible for transporting employees and their supplies to and from high places in a safe and efficient manner. Because these mobile heavy equipment are classified as heavy machines, there are many safety requirements that 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 equipment have been designed to move heavier cargo, equipment and even workers down and up to work areas. For safety reasons, employees are not allowed to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Usually, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the machine 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 in order to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy machinery helps keep the working place and all people in it safe.
Fall Protection
There are some stringent safety regulations to follow regarding the safety standards for the scissor lifts in an effort to make certain that employees do not fall from the lift when they are operating it. Even if scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like guard rails placed around the lift perimeter in addition to a lock that must be engaged on the lift platform entrance whenever the lift is being used. There are also slip guards in position for added safety.
Another good safety habit employees should make is ensuring that heavy loads or anything on the lift platform is fastened down in a secure manner prior to moving the lift to be certain that nothing causes anyone on the lift platform to become injured.