Many people in Minnesota must use scissor lifts in the course of performing their job duties. These tools can be extremely useful yet must be used properly in order to prevent accidents from happning. The Occupational Safety Health Administration provides an overview of some of the ways in which employers can help workers using scissor lifts stay safe.
According to OSHA, the bulk of scissor lift accidents involve problems with how the lifts are positioned, a lack of stabilization and poor protection against employee falls. Problems with positioning might include putting a scissor lift too near to power lines. This may expose workers to the risk of electrocution. Another problem might be moving a scissor lift when sufficient vertical clearance is not present.
Stabilization problems might involve use on uneven ground or in poor weather as well as moving a lift when it is fully extended. Fall protection should include the use of guardrails. It is equally important that workers not be required to lean far over these guardrails to reach items. Scissor lifts have platforms and it is on these platforms only that people should stand, never on the guardrails or other parts of the lifts.
Properly maintaining all scissor lifts as well as training employees on good use and safety practices are also recommended ways of helping to prevent accidents when using scissor lifts. If you would like to learn more about scissor lift safety requirements or other such things, please feel free to visit the construction platform safety page of our Minnesota worker’s compensation website.
