Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Based on both OSHA and HRSDC, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machines capable of raising heavy and big cargo that are well balanced. They are responsible for moving workers and their supplies to and from high elevations in a safe and efficient manner. Because these mobile heavy machinery are classified as heavy machinery, there are a lot of safety requirements which apply to the use and maintenance of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts can be moved on wheels or driven around to make them able to access various places. These pieces of machines have been designed to move heavy cargo, people and equipment up or down from height. For safety reasons, workers are not allowed to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Generally, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the machine while it is being utilized. All employees working directly with as well as around the machinery should be informed about its movement prior to the operator releasing the safety brake in order to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy machines helps keep the working environment and all those in it safe.
Fall Protection
There are some stringent safety regulations to follow regarding the safety standards for the scissor lifts in order to make certain that employees do not fall from the lift when they are utilizing it. Although scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like guard rails positioned around the lift perimeter as well as a lock which needs to be engaged on the lift platform entrance every time the lift is being utilized. 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 safe way before moving the lift to be sure that nothing causes anyone on the lift platform to become injured.