Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Scissor lift equipment are known as "moveable scaffolds," according to the OSHA. These industrial equipment are capable of raising heavy and big cargo that are well balanced. They are responsible for transporting employees and their materials to and from high areas efficiently and safely. Since these mobile heavy machines are classified as heavy equipment, there are numerous safety standards that 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 equipment have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even employees down and up to work locations. For safety reasons, workers are not permitted to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Typically, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the equipment while it is being utilized. All staff working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the machinery should be informed regarding its movement prior to the driver releasing the safety brake to be able to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy equipment helps keep the working place and all people in it safe.
Fall Protection
There are some strict safety rules to follow regarding the safety standards for the scissor lifts in an effort to make certain that employees do not fall from the lift when they are operating it. Even though scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like for example guard rails placed around the lift perimeter along with a lock that should be engaged on the lift platform entrance every time the lift is being used. There are also slip guards in position for added safety.
One more good safety habit workers 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.