Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Based on both HRSDC and OSHA, scissor lifts or "movable scaffolds" are industrial machines capable of raising heavy and big cargo which are well balanced. They are responsible for moving employees and their supplies to and from high elevations efficiently and safely. Because these mobile heavy machinery are categorized as heavy machines, there are many safety standards which apply to the use and maintenance of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts could be driven around or moved on wheels to make them able to access a variety of places. These pieces of machinery have been designed to move heavy cargo, people and equipment up or down from height. For safety reasons, employees are not permitted to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Usually, this is to help make sure that no one falls from the machinery while it is being utilized. All employees working around a scissor lift as well as directly with the equipment need to be informed about its movement prior to the driver releasing the safety brake to be able 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 strict 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 utilizing it. Though scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features such as 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 used. There are also slip guards in place for added safety.
Another good safety habit workers should make is ensuring that heavy loads or anything on the lift platform is fastened down in a secure way before moving the lift to be sure that nothing causes anybody on the lift platform to become injured.