Scissor lifts make popular aerial lifts that are suitable for a variety of applications. Whether you operate in the construction industry or electrical work or use scissor lifts for any other industrial application, these large, mobile, and compact lifts offer workers a safe and stable platform. While scissor lifts often tend to be smaller than other aerial lifts, they are still popular in the field.
However, to get the most out of the scissor lifts, workers need to know how to operate a scissor lift. In what follows, we take a closer look at the do’s and don’t’s of safely operating a scissor lift.
The Do’s and Don’t’s of Operating Scissor Lift
Controlling scissor lifts may often be tricky, even for the most experienced scissor lift operators. However, with adequate training, most scissor lift operators can learn how to handle scissor lifts with utmost care. Yet, it's important that they know the following do's and don'ts of safely operating a scissor lift.
Do's
In-Depth Inspection of the Scissor Lift
One of the most critical do's of operating a scissor lift starts with conducting an in-depth inspection of the scissor lift prior to the operation. It’s essential that the scissor lift that you intend to use at your facility is in proper working condition before you use it.
Assess the Work Area
Before a scissor lift operator gets started with operating the scissor lift, one of the do's that one shouldn't miss out on is to assess the work area. It's critical to assess for uneven terrain as it easily gets unstable on an uneven surface. The risk is higher, especially if the operator is driving the scissor lift too fast or turns the lift too quickly as it can trip.
Maintain the Guardrails
Scissor lift operators must maintain the guardrails of the lift as intact guardrails ensure the safety of the lift operator. Moreover, in instances where the operator intends to work outside the guardrails, it’s essential that they should always wear protective equipment as it reduces the risk of injury and death in case of a fall.
Maintain Safe Speed at Worksites
One of the essential do's that scissor lift operators often forget when operating scissor lifts is that it's essential to maintain a safe speed while driving scissor lifts at worksites. Operating scissor lifts at a faster speed may result in accidents as well as cause damage to the equipment.
Check Lift’s Load Capacity
One of the most common causes of worksite accidents caused is often a result of an overloaded lift. Hence, it is essential to check the lift's maximum load capacity before you load the machine. It's also critical to remember that each lift model has a varying load capacity. Hence, validating the lift's load capacity before using the equipment is one of the best ways to avoid accidents resulting from excessive load.
Train All Scissor Lift Operators
Scissor lifts make one of the most valuable pieces of equipment at various worksites; however, without appropriate training, scissor lifts can quickly turn into dangerous pieces of equipment that can lead to accidents. Some of these accidents involve minor injuries, but certain accidents can be dangerous and lead to severe injuries and may even lead to death.
It is, therefore essential that you train all your scissor lift operators from a reliable trainer like All Purpose Aerial Lift Training. Bringing a combined experience of over 100 years, the trainers at All Purpose Aerial Lift Training strive to deliver the highest quality training standards so your employees can learn to appropriately use scissor lifts such that there is a minimal risk of accidents.
Don’ts
While there are several measures that you need to take in order to safely operate a scissor lift, you should also be mindful of certain things that operators of scissor lifts should avoid when using them at worksites.
Certain don'ts of safely operating a scissor lift include the following:
Keeping the Gates Open
Do not keep the gates of the scissor lift open. Always ensure that the gates at the back of the scissor lift are closed to ensure the safety of the operator.
Putting Ladders in the Lift’s Basket
One of the common mistakes that many scissor lift operators end up making is putting the ladder in the lift’s basket. This inappropriate placement of the ladder can result in accidents. Hence, it’s something that should be completely avoided.
Climb on the Guardrail
One of the most common reasons for accidents is when the operators of the scissor lift climb up the guardrail, which can increase the risk of falls and accidents that may even turn out to be fatal.
It is, therefore, critical that scissor lift operators avoid climbing on the guardrail to avoid the risk of falls and potential accidents.
Operate the Lift in Inappropriate Weather
When operating a scissor lift, it's essential for the lift operator to assess the weather beforehand, as extreme weather conditions such as heavy winds, rainfall, and snow make it difficult for scissor lift operators to work safely.
It is, therefore, critical that lift operators assess the weather conditions and then operate the scissor lift to minimize the risk of any potential accidents.
Learn How to Safely Operate a Scissor Lift Today!
Learning how to operate a scissor lift isn’t a tedious process. It is relatively straightforward as all it needs is a professional trainer who can provide adequate scissor lift training to your operators.
Unlock the convenience of Aerial Lift Training Online at All Purpose Aerial Lift Training, delivering interactive courses and certification from the comfort of your location, ensuring efficient and accessible learning for aspiring lift operators.
Get in touch with our contact team today and find out more about how we can help with scissor lift training and more!
