Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Based on both OSHA and HRSDC, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machinery capable of raising heavy and big loads which are balanced well. They are responsible for transporting workers and their materials to and from high elevations in a safe and efficient way. As these mobile heavy machinery are categorized as heavy machines, there are lots of safety standards which apply to the maintenance and use of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts sit upon a wheeled base so they could move around to access a wider variety of areas. These pieces of machines have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even workers down and up to work locations. For safety reasons, employees are not permitted to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Typically, this is to help make certain that no one falls from the machine while it is being used. All staff working directly with as well as around 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 machines helps keep the working environment and all those in it safe.
Fall Protection
There are several stringent safety regulations to follow about the safety standards for the scissor lifts with a purpose to make certain that workers do not fall from the lift when they are using it. Even if scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like guard rails positioned around the lift perimeter along with a lock which needs to be engaged on the lift platform entrance each and every time the lift is being used. There are also slip guards in place for added safety.
One more good safety habit employees should 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.