3 Safety Rules to Follow When Using Scissor Lifts

When you need to move heavy loads and/or personnel in a vertical direction, a scissor lift can be an invaluable tool. Working with industrial equipment, like a scissor lift, can be dangerous if your employees don't remain vigilant at all times.

Here are three safety rules to ensure your employees follow when using scissor lifts in the future.

1. Perform a pre-use safety check.

In order for employees to remain safe while using a scissor lift, the equipment must be in proper working condition. Doing something as simple as taking the time to perform a pre-use safety check could help your employees avoid disaster when using a scissor lift in the future.

As part of the inspection, the brakes, guardrail, and battery charge should be checked while the scissor lift's platform is empty. A pre-use safety check will help your employees identify potential problems before they cause serious accidents.

2. Always wear a safety harness.

While some employees might feel that the guardrail surrounding the scissor lift's platform will provide adequate protection against falling, having your employees wear a safety harness whenever they are being lifted into the air by a scissor lift could prevent serious accidents.

It's estimated that 5 American construction workers are killed each week as a result of falling from heights. A safety harness will add an additional level of protection to keep your workers as safe as possible while they are performing job-related tasks with a scissor lift.

3. Know how to work the electric hydraulic override.

Many scissor lifts rely on hydraulics to raise and lower their platforms. When the hydraulic system fails, the platform could come crashing down. Hydraulic failures can cause serious injury or death to both the employees on the platform and any employees who might be in the immediate area.

Modern scissor lifts come equipped with an electric override switch that allows the operator to override the hydraulic system in the event a hydraulic failure occurs. Ensuring that your employees know how to work the electric hydraulic override could mean the difference between life and death when working with scissor lifts on a job site.

As an employer, employee safety is a primary concern. If you want to ensure that your employees are able to use a scissor lift safely, be sure that they perform pre-use inspections, wear a safety harness, and understand how to operate the electric hydraulic override system in the event of an emergency.


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