Scissor Lift Training
Safety First On This Important Tool
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Scissor Lift Training

Scissor lifts – a kind of work platform that moves only up and down – are very common. They can work pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically, but they all have the same general structure. They can also be very dangerous if you don’t know how to use them correctly. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics (OSHA and BLS), a very high percentage of construction workers die from falls. During the 1990s, general construction actually averaged twenty-six deaths a year related to boom and scissor lifts.
More and more mobile scaffolds, aerial lifts and scissor lifts are being used in construction works. Scissor lifts cause ten percent more deaths than aerial boon lifts, too. That’s why the latest revision of the construction scaffold standard by OSHA includes scissor lifts. The most hazardous activities when using a lift include operating on uneven surfaces, encountering debris or holes whole operating in the air, climbing or leaning over the top rail of the lift, and overloading.
Deaths from lift accidents also occured when workers contacted electrical conductors on uninsulated parts of lifts, when outriggers or other braces weren’t deployed and lifts tipped over, and when equipment had mechanical or structural problems. Inexperienced lift operators were also responsible for a number of deaths. Almost all deaths in lift accidents are caused by unsafe use of the lift. That’s why good scissor lift training is so important.
Before using a scissor lift, it’s important to make sure that the basket or platform won’t be overloaded. Every lift should have its maximum load clearly marked on the platform and the vehicle for the lift. This information should also be in the manual, which should be on site. No one who hasn’t been trained in using scissor lifts, including the model they’re going to be working with, should operate a lift on the job. Anyone who’ll be operating a lift should be trained in current OSHA standards, and able to identify all possible hazards. If you’re not allowed to eliminate hazards, don’t use a lift.
Someone with enough training to supervise must legally be on site to supervise lift use. If an OSHA inspector arrives and there’s no one considered a “competent person” on site, your work site will be penalized. Not training for scissor lifts isn’t just a bad idea, it’s also illegal. Your competent person should be able to make safety the first priority, and should never consider productivity or profit more important than using lifts and other machinery correctly.
Scissor lifts from different manufacturers will all be a little bit different. Every company has a number of different models to pick from, and includes a number of different accessories or features. A lot of them are there to help meet OSHA standards and make it easier to get the job done. Many newer scissor lifts include self leveling platforms, outlets in the basket, alarms to indicate tilt problems, alarms to indicate the lift is moving, pot hole protection, and many other helpful features. Just remember that all features have to be inspected and maintained regularly, or they won’t provide the security that they’re supposed to.
Also, it’s important not to assume that safety features can take the place of training. Responsibility for working safely is ultimately with the person operating the lift. A safety checklist can help you make sure that your scissor lift is actually up to snuff and ready for work. Many supervisors make the mistake of assuming that if a lift passed inspection at the beginning of the week, it’ll be just fine at the end. Almost every survivor of a lift accident has reported that they knew something might go wrong just before it did. If anyone on the job feels like there’s something not quite right, it’s time to check things out. Don’t keep on working and assume it’ll all be fine.
Choosing the right lift, observing safety precautions, and making sure everyone is trained to operate the lift correctly are all just as important as making a profit. After all, no one wants a death on the job. Take the time to make sure that your scissor lifts are inspected properly and that all operators and passengers know how to stay safe. It could make a huge difference in the end.

Scissor lifts – a kind of work platform that moves only up and down – are very common. They can work pneumatically, hydraulically, or mechanically, but they all have the same general structure. They can also be very dangerous if you don’t know how to use them correctly. This is why scissor lift training is so very important to a safety workplace. According to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Bureau of Labor Statistics (OSHA and BLS), a very high percentage of construction workers die from falls. During the 1990s, general construction actually averaged twenty-six deaths a year related to boom and scissor lifts. Mandated forklift and scissor lift training followed.

More and more mobile scaffolds, aerial lifts and scissor lifts are being used in construction works. Scissor lifts cause ten percent more deaths than aerial boon lifts, too. That’s why the latest revision of the construction scaffold standard by OSHA includes scissor lifts. The most hazardous activities when using a lift include operating on uneven surfaces, encountering debris or holes whole operating in the air, climbing or leaning over the top rail of the lift, and overloading.

Deaths from lift accidents also occured when workers contacted electrical conductors on uninsulated parts of lifts, when outriggers or other braces weren’t deployed and lifts tipped over, and when equipment had mechanical or structural problems. Inexperienced lift operators were also responsible for a number of deaths. Almost all deaths in lift accidents are caused by unsafe use of the lift. That’s why good scissor lift training is so important.

Before using a scissor lift, it’s important to make sure that the basket or platform won’t be overloaded. Every lift should have its maximum load clearly marked on the platform and the vehicle for the lift. This information should also be in the manual, which should be on site. No one who hasn’t been trained in using scissor lifts, including the model they’re going to be working with, should operate a lift on the job. Anyone who’ll be operating a lift should be trained in current OSHA standards, and able to identify all possible hazards. If you’re not allowed to eliminate hazards, don’t use a lift.

Someone with enough training to supervise must legally be on site to supervise lift use. If an OSHA inspector arrives and there’s no one considered a “competent person” on site, your work site will be penalized. Not training for scissor lifts isn’t just a bad idea, it’s also illegal. Your competent person should be able to make safety the first priority, and should never consider productivity or profit more important than using lifts and other machinery correctly.

Scissor lifts from different manufacturers will all be a little bit different. Every company has a number of different models to pick from, and includes a number of different accessories or features. A lot of them are there to help meet OSHA standards and make it easier to get the job done. Many newer scissor lifts include self leveling platforms, outlets in the basket, alarms to indicate tilt problems, alarms to indicate the lift is moving, pot hole protection, and many other helpful features. Just remember that all features have to be inspected and maintained regularly, or they won’t provide the security that they’re supposed to.

Also, it’s important not to assume that safety features can take the place of training. Responsibility for working safely is ultimately with the person operating the lift. A safety checklist can help you make sure that your scissor lift is actually up to snuff and ready for work. Many supervisors make the mistake of assuming that if a lift passed inspection at the beginning of the week, it’ll be just fine at the end. Almost every survivor of a lift accident has reported that they knew something might go wrong just before it did. If anyone on the job feels like there’s something not quite right, it’s time to check things out. Don’t keep on working and assume it’ll all be fine.

Choosing the right lift, observing safety precautions, and making sure everyone is trained to operate the lift correctly are all just as important as making a profit. After all, no one wants a death on the job. Take the time to make sure that your scissor lifts are inspected properly and that all operators and passengers know how to stay safe. In the end detailed scissor lift training will ensure a safe job site.

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