Safe, Effective Scissor Lift Operation

By Rachel Doornekamp, Contributor

Found at many job sites, scissor lifts are popular across a wide variety of applications in the field of construction to allow for the safe and convenient movement of workers at height. While specifics may vary across manufacturers, there are instructions and best practices that are in place to allow for the safe operation of such machines. Whether one has purchased a scissor lift or is using it on a rental basis, these industry standards are required for proper use.

Inspection & Maintenance

Powerful and versatile, scissor lifts are valuable machines that require intentional safety practices.

One of the most effective scissor operation safety guidelines is to stay on top of regular maintenance. It is simply imperative that rental companies or equipment owners perform routine checks on their scissor lifts.

The idea of maintenance for operational safety can still apply to rental users. For example, prior to using a scissor lift operators should conduct a pre-operation inspection. Pre-use inspections typically involve checking a variety of operational and structural items, including but not limited to:

• No physical defects or faults are visible
• Work platform, guard rails, and extension slides are clean and dry, and extension can slide in and out freely
• Operating and emergency controls are functioning and clearly labeled as applicable
• Braking devices function correctly
• Emergency lowering functions correctly
• Battery and/or fuel levels are appropriate
• Oil, hydraulic, and coolant levels are appropriate
• Tires are in good condition
• Safety indicator lights and/or alarms function correctly

Inspections should take place every day and/or before shifts or operator switches.

In addition to keeping crews safe, there are numerous benefits to regular vehicle maintenance and inspection such as:

• High productivity and uptime as work stoppages due to maintenance delays are minimized
• Extended service life of the lift
• Reduced repair cost and time

Situational Awareness

Alongside pre-operation inspection of the scissor lift, inspecting the job site for potential hazards is also a critical step for safe operation. Prior to starting work, operators should examine their work zone for the following:

• Debris
• Blind spots or corners
• High voltage areas
• Power lines and/or cables
• Overhead obstructions, fixtures, and structures
• Uneven ground such as slopes, drops offs, holes, and bumps
• Potentially unstable or slippery surfaces

In addition to physical obstacles or hazards, weather conditions should also be monitored. High winds, rain, and snow can all impact operation of the machine and should be factored into decision-making. Furthermore, unauthorized personnel need to be considered when scanning a site. There may be areas of traffic or pedestrians so ground personnel and/or barriers around a site can ensure safety for all involved.

Any of these conditions could change as the day goes on, which makes situational awareness while operating a scissor lift imperative.

Know Your Machine

While not every hazard is predictable, consistent, ongoing training is imperative to protecting operators.

Another way to easily prevent workplace accidents and injuries is to ensure that operators know the machine they are using. The following information is critical for workers to understand prior to operating a scissor lift. These details may differ between manufacturers but will be available in the machine’s manual; some manufacturers also offer telematics systems that allow for easy, virtual access to such materials.

Occupancy and Capacity: Knowing and staying within the occupancy and capacity requirements is essential for safe operation.

Gradeability: It’s crucial to know the machine’s gradeability, as for scissor lifts the slope or gradient of the ground it is operating on greatly impacts the stability of the lift. Ensuring operators are aware of their machine’s maximum gradeability will allow them to safely operate within the range as specified by the manufacturer.

Logistical Specifications: OEMs will provide logistical specifications such as ground clearance, turning radius, drive speed, and so on. Knowing these numbers allows operators to remain within the safe parameters as set by the manufacturer.

Existing Safety Features: Scissor lifts are equipped with existing safety features specified by the OEM. Ensuring familiarity with these features allows operators to use them to their utmost potential. Tilt alarms, overhead sensing systems, rail systems, and lanyard attachment points all exist to keep operators safe. Only by understanding these features can operators utilize the lift in the safest way possible.

Proper Application: Part of knowing your equipment is ensuring that you are using the right lift for your application. Using the wrong type of equipment for the job is unfortunately a common factor in workplace accidents. Before using a scissor lift, workers should consider the following questions:

• Are the weights I am lifting within the machine’s capabilities?
• Is the height I need to work in within the machine’s capabilities?
• Will I be operating the machine in conditions suitable for the machine – indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, is it windy? Are the ground conditions suitable? Will the machine be on a grade suitable for its capabilities?
• Do I need related machine accessories? Do I know how to use them?

Informed Operation

In addition to knowing machine capabilities, it’s imperative that operators are trained on the features and characteristics of their machine. Many OEMs offer resources to educate operators, from official in-person training to instructional videos and, of course, manuals. Training based on the latest industry best practices coupled with model-specific familiarization will go far in preventing incidents. Of course, not every accident or hazard is predictable, but operators can improve the odds through effective training.

Furthermore, staying informed about industry news, best practices, regulation updates, as well as scissor lift technology updates is crucial for safe and efficient operation. Part of staying up to date includes practice. Regular exposure to and familiarization with equipment operation, emergency procedures, etc. will allow for quick and efficient reactions in critical situations.

Powerful and versatile, scissor lifts are essential machines for many job sites. By following straightforward operation and maintenance practices, operators can ensure safe and effective operation while ensuring the longevity of their machine.

Rachel Doornekamp is the Public Relations Manager, Skyjack (skyjack.com).