Scissor Lifts Must Be Positioned Correctly
When positioned improperly, scissor lifts can cause crushing and electrocution accidents if they're tipped over or bumped into another machine. You must position scissor lifts carefully in clear zones with plenty of room to operate. It's especially when working on electrical lines, where electricity can arc or jump from the power line to the lift or worker.
Here are some things to be aware of when positioning the lift:
Be watchful when the scissor lift is near obstructions on the job site, like a fixed object, moving vehicle, or another piece of equipment.
Implement traffic control measures to prevent workers and vehicles from getting too close while the lift is in use.
Select work locations that are at least 10 feet away from power sources (like power lines, transformers, other electrical sources, and so on) and that don't pose other overhead hazards (like other utilities, branches, door frames, overhangs, and so on).
Scissor Lifts Must Be Regularly Maintained
To prevent any of the machine's lifting mechanisms from collapsing or malfunctioning, scissor lifts should be regularly inspected. This ensures all parts of the scissor lift are working properly and are in good repair.
To make sure your scissor lift is well-maintained and safe to use:
Test and inspect controls and components before each use.
Ensure that guardrail systems are in good working condition.
Verify that brakes, once set, will hold the scissor lift in position.
