Scissor Lift Safety

Use this scissor lift safety checklist to ensure scissor lift is in good working condition. This checklist assesses: 1) operating and emergency controls; 2) safety devices; 3) personal protective devices; and more. Download and customize the checklist according to the manufacturer’s manual of your scissor lift.

What is a Scissor Lift Safety Inspection?

A scissor lift safety inspection is a pre-use and maintenance procedure done to ensure the safety and reliability of scissor lifts.The inspection involves doing a visual assessment of the scissor lift and evaluation of its operating condition. Performing regular scissor lift safety inspections reduces the likelihood of severe injuries and fatalities.

3 Things to Consider During Scissor Lift Inspections

In an OSHA study on the safe use of scissor lifts, it was concluded that most injuries and fatalities involving scissor lifts are due to employers not addressing the following:

1. Fall Protection
   Workers using scissor lifts are at risk of falls. This can be caused by either machine failure, or lack of equipment and fall protection training for responsible workers operating the lift. According to 29 CFR 1926.451 (g) and 29 CFR 1910.29(a)(3)(vii), OSHA requires scissor lifts to have guardrails installed to prevent injuries and accidents caused by falls. Additionally, all workers involved in using the lift should undergo proper training on proper use and fall protection to prevent accidents or injuries.
2. Stabilization
   Stabilization is essential for safety as unstable scissor lifts are prone to tipping over and collapsing. To avoid this, safe work practices must be maintained. These include the following:
   • Isolating scissor lift from traffic or other moving worksite equipment to prevent impact
   • Ensuring work location is on a firm, level surface away from hazards
   • Ensuring weight on the work platform does not exceed the manufacturer’s load rating
   • Observing weather conditions meet requirements indicated on equipment label or operator’s manual
   • Performing proper maintenance
3. Positioning
   It is critical for workers and employers to observe proper positioning when using scissor lifts to avoid being crushed or electrocuted. Scissor safety workers should follow the set safety systems such as traffic control measures and ground guides. They should also ensure that they have received the required training for the tasks at hand, including relevant electrical training in accordance with the 29 CFR 1910.269, 29 CFR 1910.333, and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart V. For continued safety and to limit the occurrence of hazards, workers should be watchful of the following:
   • Operating a scissor lift near a fixed object
   • Operating closely with a moving vehicle
   • Passing below fixed objects like door frames and support beams

3 Tips to Effectively Implement Scissor Lift Safety

1. 1. Conduct regular inspections
      Regularly performing inspections help ensure overall aerial lift safety and that scissor lifts are in tip-top and safe condition for use. One of the inspections workers should perform regularly is the pre-use or pre-operational inspection. A pre-use check or pre-operational inspection is done to ensure that there is no visible damage to the scissor lift before use. This is done through a walk around inspection format. The areas and items to inspect will depend on the manufacturer’s operation and manual which is why it is important for workers to always refer to it. But most commonly the inspection will involve checking the following:
      • Required manuals, decals, controlled markings, and placards are present and legible
      • Fluid level and the amount of battery charge level
      • All components have no missing parts, securely fastened, no visible damage or excessive wear
      • Outriggers, switches and locking pins
      • Tires and rollers
      • Ground controls and switches
      • Platform housekeeping

   In the event of discovering damage or discrepancy, the scissor lift should be marked and removed from service and reported to proper personnel.

   • Test and inspect controls and components
   • Ensure that guardrail systems are in good condition
   • Verify brakes work and will hold the scissor lift position
   • Manufacturer’s instructions for operating scissor lift
   • How to handle materials on the scissor lift and being aware of weight limits
   • Worksite hazards workers may encounter when working on a scissor lift (e.g., contact with electrical wires) and how to avoid them
   • How to report defects or discrepancies

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   What is SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) and How Can It Help Scissor Lift Safety Inspections?

   Why use SafetyCulture?

   Spend less time completing inspections without compromising quality and safety. Replace paper inspection forms with a digital checklist that can help workers perform inspection tasks efficiently and enables them to provide proper documentation of the inspection procedure which is essential for accountability and monitoring scissor lift performance.

   With SafetyCulture, inspections are just the beginning. Equip your maintenance team with a mobile inspection tool that lets you:

   1. • Conduct scissor lift inspections using your mobile or tablet device anytime, anywhere.
      • Immediately report damages or discrepancies you encounter during inspection with Actions.
      • Provide comprehensive documentation of inspections by taking or attaching photo evidences, and add in appropriate annotations and comments.
      • Generate reports as you complete them and instantly share with respective personnels.
      • Keep all your reports secure in one place. Inspection reports are saved and secured in your account for you to access whenever you need them.
      • Get an instant view of what’s happening with data analytics. Easily track and monitor inspections across all sites.

   Feautured Scissor Lift Safety Inspection Checklists

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   Article by SafetyCulture Content Specialist

   Jai Andales is a content writer and researcher for SafetyCulture since 2018. As a content specialist, she creates well-researched articles about health and safety topics. She is also passionate about empowering businesses to utilize technology in building a culture of safety and quality.

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