Safety Requirements for Scissor Lifts
Scissor lift equipment are referred to as "moveable scaffolds," according to the OSHA. These industrial machinery are capable of lifting heavy and big cargo which are balanced well. They are responsible for transporting workers and their materials to and from high areas efficiently and safely. Because these mobile heavy equipment are categorized as heavy machinery, 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 could move around to access a wider variety of places. These pieces of machines have been designed to move heavier loads, equipment and even workers down and up to work locations. For safety reasons, employees are not permitted 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 used. All employees working directly with as well as around the equipment should be informed about its movement prior to the driver releasing the safety brake in order 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 in order to make certain that workers do not fall from the lift when they are using it. Even though scissor lifts are not required to be enclosed, there are features like guard rails placed around the lift perimeter in addition to a lock that needs to 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 consider is to make sure that all loads are fastened securely prior to any lifting. This should ensure that nothing on the lift platform causes anyone to be injured.