Over the course of a year, the safety agency investigated 10 preventable deaths and more than 20 preventable injuries caused by various accidents involving scissor lifts. Investigations found that the majority of injuries and deaths involving scissor lifts were due to employers not providing adequate training on the dangers of scissor lifts.
Employers need to assess the workplace to identify all possible hazards in order to select appropriate equipment for the task. Employers using scissor lifts need to assess and implement effective control measures to address fall protection, stability and positioning issues.
Only trained workers are allowed to use scissor lifts and employers should ensure that these workers can prove that they can use scissor lifts properly. The use of safety scissor lifts includes proper maintenance of equipment, following manufacturer's instructions, providing workers with training and required personal protective equipment (PPE), and implementing safe work practices.
Here are some safety tips for scissor elevators:
Fall protection - Scissor lifts must be fitted with guardrails to prevent workers from falling. Employers shall train workers to:
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- Please check for guardrail system before installing scissor lift.
- Standing only on the workbench; Never stand on the guardrail.
- Keep work within easy reach to avoid tilting away from scissor lifts.
Stabilization - The employer should ensure that scissor lifts are stable and do not capsize or collapse. To ensure safe and stable conditions for the use of scissor lifts, some safe working practices include:
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions to move safely - this usually rules out moving the elevator on high ground
- Isolate the scissor elevator or take traffic control measures to ensure that other equipment cannot contact the scissor elevator
- Choose a firm, flat surface, away from work sites that may cause instability hazards such as falls, holes, slopes, bumps, ground obstacles or debris.
- Scissor lifts should only be used outdoors when weather conditions are good. Scissor elevators for outdoor use are generally limited to wind speeds below 28 miles per hour.
Positioning - Workplaces where scissor lifts are used present a risk of breakage that may expose nearby workers, even those who do not work on scissor lifts. Scissor lifts are similar to vehicles and other mobile equipment on site and have a risk of breakage. Employers should train workers to be vigilant in the following situations:
- The moving scissor elevator is near a fixed object.
- A moving vehicle and scissor lift are working closely together.
- Scissor lifts pass through fixed objects such as door frames or support beams.
Avoiding electric shocks, arc flashes and heat burns are important when using scissors safely near live wires. Electric shock can occur even if neither the scissor lift nor the worker is in contact with the power line because the arc or current from the power line can jump onto the scissor lift or the worker. Take traffic control measures around scissor lifts to prevent other staff or vehicles from getting too close.
- Use ground rails when operating or moving scissor lifts around the workplace.
- Choose work sites that are not at least 10 feet away from power sources (e.g. power lines, transformers) and do not pose other overhead hazards (e.g. other utilities, branches, overhangs, etc.).
- If the task requires working near a power source, ensure that the worker is qualified and has received the required electrical training.
Collapse - Although rare, the collapse of scissor lifts can be prevented if employers
- Make sure safety systems to prevent collapses are maintained and not ignored.
- Never allow the weight on the working platform to exceed the manufacturer's load rating.
- Do not use equipment other than scissors to lift the platform (for example, use a forklift to lift the platform).
- Prevent the lift from being hit by other mobile equipment on site.
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