Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Based on both HRSDC and OSHA, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machines capable of lifting heavy and large loads that are balanced well. They are responsible for moving employees and their materials to and from high elevations safely and efficiently. Because these mobile heavy machinery are categorized as heavy machinery, there are a lot of safety requirements that apply to the use and maintenance 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 cargo, equipment and even employees down and up to work areas. For safety reasons, employees are not permitted to ride on a scissor lift while relocating. Typically, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the machine while it is being utilized. All employees working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the machinery must be informed about its movement prior to the driver releasing the safety brake in order to make the lift move. Constant communication around heavy equipment helps keep the working place and all individuals in it safe.
Fall Protection
To be able to guarantee that employees prevent falling when utilizing the equipment, there are some safety regulations to think about about forklift safety standards. 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 that must be engaged on the lift platform entrance whenever the lift is being utilized. There are also slip guards in place for added safety.
One more safety habit that employees must think about is to make certain that all loads are fastened safely before any lifting. This should ensure that nothing on the lift platform causes anybody to be injured.