Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Scissor lift machinery are referred to as "moveable scaffolds," according to the OSHA. These industrial machinery are capable of raising heavy and large loads which are balanced well. They are responsible for moving employees and their supplies to and from high areas in a safe and efficient way. Because these mobile heavy machines are categorized as heavy equipment, there are many safety standards that apply to the use and maintenance of scissor lifts.
Movement
Scissor lifts sit upon a wheeled base so they can move around to access a wider variety of areas. These pieces of machines have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even workers up and down to work locations. For safety reasons, employees are not allowed to ride on a scissor lift during the relocation process. Generally, this is to help make certain that no one falls from the machinery while it is being utilized. All staff working directly with as well as around the equipment must 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 equipment helps keep the working environment and all individuals in it safe.
Fall Protection
There are some stringent safety rules to follow about the safety standards for the scissor lifts in an effort to make sure that workers do not fall from the lift when they are utilizing it. Although scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like for instance guard rails positioned around the lift perimeter as well as a lock which should be engaged on the lift platform entrance each time the lift is being utilized. There are also slip guards in place for added safety.
One more good safety habit employees must make is ensuring that heavy cargo or anything on the lift platform is fastened down in a secure way prior to moving the lift to be certain that nothing causes anyone on the lift platform to become injured.