Scissor lifts are ideal for when you need more vertical flexibility than scaffolding but a wider work platform than a boom lift. From ceiling maintenance and painting to bridge repairs and filming football practices, scissor lifts provide a versatile, elevated workspace.
However, they have to be used safely to avoid dangerous and costly accidents. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in a three-year span more than 1,300 workers were injured and 87 people died as a result of operating a scissor lift or aerial lift.
Whether you buy or rent a scissor lift for your project, ensuring the safety of your team and those working near the lift are top priority. Everyone who will be using the scissor lift needs to know how to operate it safely.
In this article, you’ll learn the best practices and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards for safe scissor lift operation.
Risks of Not Using a Scissor Lift Safely
From falls to collisions, accidents caused by operating a scissor lift incorrectly result in costly delays, damage or injuries.
Like any elevated lift, scissor lifts are at risk of tipping over or collapsing if their weight isn’t balanced. An unstable scissor lift can be deadly. In 2010, an untrained scissor lift operator was killed while filming a college football practice when windy conditions knocked the lift over.
- Read more: How Much Do Scissor Lifts Weigh?
To avoid common scissor lift hazards, start by learning the safety standards and laws in your area.
Scissor Lift Safety: Operator Training and Certification Requirements
In the United States, OSHA requires employers to train all scissor lift operators and those working near scissor lifts. With proper training and certification, you can help minimize the risk of dangerous accidents.
- How to Operate the Scissor Lift: Based on the manufacturer’s instructions, this includes the specific steps for safely moving the machine and raising or lowering the platform.
- How to Handle Materials: Workers need to understand how to balance the load on the scissor lift to avoid falls and tip-overs. They also need to understand the scissor lift’s load capacity limits.
- Avoiding Hazards: This type of training helps operators identify and avoid safety hazards they may encounter when working on a scissor lift. For example, how to avoid entanglement with electrical lines.
While OSHA does not officially require scissor lift certification, enrolling in an Aerial Lift or Scissor Lift Certification program can be beneficial. Certification programs often require trainees to:
- Complete an OSHA-compliant training course.
- Pass a classroom or online evaluation.
- Receive review and approval from their employer.
- Complete recertification every three years.
Thorough training and certification can help keep your teams and projects safe and avoid costly delays or accidents.
12 Tips for Safe Scissor Lift Operation
If you’re new to using scissor lifts or it’s been a while since your last training, the following tips will help you maintain a safe project site.
1. Tow and Transport Properly
You can’t operate a scissor lift safely if it’s been damaged during transport to the project site. If you’re renting a scissor lift, consider adding equipment delivery to your rental agreement. A reliable rental provider will save you the hassle and liability of moving the lift on your own.
If you do need to transport the lift yourself, follow these tips for minimizing damage:
- Stay Retracted: Transport the lift in a fully retracted (or closed) position. Scissor lifts are not made to be moved while extended. Doing so risks damaging the equipment and anything around it.
- Confirm Towing Capacity: Before loading the scissor lift onto the trailer, ensure your towing vehicle and trailer can handle the weight of the scissor lift.
- Use a Flatbed or Lowboy Trailer: While all kinds of trailers are acceptable to move smaller scissor lifts, it is recommended that a flatbed or lowboy is used for larger ones. Lowboys have the additional advantage of reducing the clearance height of the scissor lift, as some of them can still be quite tall while retracted.
2. Read the User Manual Before Turning the Scissor Lift On
How to turn a scissor lift on and how to operate it can vary depending on the lift’s brand and model. Your rental equipment provider can provide instructions on how to use your exact model, but you still need to keep the user manual on hand.
Have all operators review the user manual, even if they’ve used a scissor lift before. Keep the user manual in a location that’s easy for everyone to access and make sure all scissor lift operators know where it is.
3. Do Pre-Operation Safety Checks Prior to Each Use
Confirming that the scissor lift is in good condition before you use it goes a long way toward preventing accidents. Make sure operators complete the following safety checks and know what to do if something doesn’t pass their inspection.
- Confirm that the lift is a safe distance from potential hazards and is on a smooth, level surface.
- Check that no parts are loose and that all movable parts are sufficiently oiled.
- Check fluid levels, including fuel if using a diesel-powered scissor lift.
- Check that the wheels and tires are in proper condition.
- Inspect and repair or replace all safety equipment, including guardrails and harnesses.
- Test and confirm that all scissor lift controls on the base and platform are working.
- Test and confirm that the emergency controls on the base and the platform are working and in the right position.
- Confirm that all motion alarms and safety indicator lights are working.
With the safety inspection complete, you can disengage the emergency stops, activate the controls and turn on the platform.
4. Always Remain Within the Lift’s Load Capacity
When selecting a scissor lift, it is important to get one that can handle the weight of all workers, tools and other equipment that will need to be lifted. Scissor lifts that can’t handle the weight of its load are more likely to tip over or collapse.
5. Always Distribute Loads Evenly
If you are moving or extending a scissor lift with a heavy load on the platform, it is important to distribute the weight evenly so that it doesn’t tip over. For example, if two workers are on one platform, they should stand and work on opposite ends of the platform to keep it balanced.
6. Wear Safety Harnesses and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
When working in the scissor lift platform, wear appropriate PPE such as a safety harness or use additional personal fall arrest systems (PFAS) if the guardrails are insufficient.
- Do use a harness that fits and is not too loose.
- Do inspect the PPE before use and replace them as necessary.
- Do keep the harness anchored to the scissor lift.
- Do NOT “tie-off” or anchor the harness to anything outside of the lift.
7. Avoid Using the Lift in Windy Conditions
Do not use a scissor lift in windy conditions. It doesn’t matter if you’re using an electric scissor lift or a rough terrain scissor lift: when the platform is extended, the risk of tip-overs increases. A single gust of wind can result in injury or death, as well as damage to property.
8. Stay on Even Surfaces and Away from Docks and Drop-Offs
Most scissor lifts are only stable on firm, flat surfaces. Only rough terrain scissor lifts are designed to be used on uneven or unstable ground, such as mud or gravel. But even rough terrain scissor lifts have limits. Whenever possible, only use the lift on stable terrain.
Also avoid driving or parking a scissor lift too close to edges with drop-offs, like loading docks. If the lift starts to roll unexpectedly, the lift could fall off the edge before the operator can stop it.
9. Pay Attention to Surroundings and Overhead Clearance to Avoid Obstacles
Before raising the work platform, take a close look at your surroundings. Is there anything above, below or to the side that could be an obstacle?
Then check the user’s manual for specific instructions, and follow these general steps for how to raise a scissor lift:
- Change the operating switch to the “elevation” or “lift” setting.
- Check for potential obstructions, such as wires, cables, obstacles and people.
- Push or pull the control lever or joystick gently.
- Move the lever to the middle once the platform reaches the desired height.
10. Use a Spotter If Visibility Is Limited
If you do not have a clear view of your entire path from the scissor lift platform, have a team member be a spotter. A spotter on the ground can help you navigate the path and keep an eye on any potential hazards. They can also help with traffic control and keeping others safe by guiding them out of your way.
11. Avoid Overreaching While on the Work Platform
Guardrails surround a scissor lift’s platform for a reason. If workers reach too far beyond the rails, they are more likely to fall or drop equipment onto others. Overreaching can also increase the risk of tip overs.
Position the scissor lift as close to the work area as possible. This helps stop workers from reaching beyond the guardrails.
12. Engage the Emergency Stop if Necessary
What do you do if the scissor lift malfunctions or turning it off properly would take too long to avoid an accident? Engage the emergency stop button.
Every scissor lift has an emergency stop that immediately turns off the machine by interrupting the power circuit. The emergency stop can be pulled outward or pushed in.
- Pull Before Use: Pull the emergency stop outward to keep it from interrupting the circuit. The scissor lift will then operate normally.
- Push In an Emergency: Push the emergency stop inward. This will cut power to the entire lift.
Find the Right Scissor Lift and Learn How to Use It at Herc Rentals
Think safety! When your project needs a high-quality scissor lift and your teams need to learn how to use it safely, contact Herc Rentals.
At Herc Rentals, the safe operation of our rental equipment is our top priority. Our experts will help you find the right high-quality scissor lift for your project and provide the Equipment Safe Operation Training you need.
With Herc Rentals you can have peace of mind that your scissor lift will be well-maintained and delivered to and from your site safely. Plus, when teams enroll in our courses, they’ll receive high-quality instruction and hands-on practical skills for safe scissor lift operation.
Explore our broad selection of compact electric, electric or rough terrain scissor lifts. You can also call us at 888- 777-2700 to discuss rental and training options today.
