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OSHA Rules and Regulations

While the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) classifies a scissor lift as an aerial lift (or a mobile elevating work platform), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) does not. OSHA states that scissor lifts do not fall under the aerial lift rules. That certainly does not mean that scissor lifts are unregulated. Far from it, OSHA considers scissor lifts a type of scaffold. Scaffolds pose threats to worker health and safety. As such, they’re a rich area of OSHA law making.

Some of the rules are listed below.

Wear Fall Protection Equipment

When portable lifts are used on a worksite, the proper safety measures need to be taken to prevent falling objects. This includes employees wearing hard hats; blocking the area around the lift to stop employees from entering; placing tools, equipment, or materials away from the edge of the platform; using toe boards, screens, and canopies to protect employees from falling objects.

Mobile lifts with compliant guardrails do not need fall protection. Guardrails must have a minimum 200 lbs. top rail capacity. The top rail must have a height of 38 to 45 inches. If the work inside the lift requires leaning or heavy lifting, fall protection may be needed.

Barricade Work Zone Safety

Site inspections must be completed before using the portable lift, especially if it will be elevated while moving. During this inspection check for holes, drop-offs, curbs, slopes or similar items that can lead to a tip-over. Ensure the ground is solid and can support the weight of the lift. Extra caution will be needed when working near overhead power lines, trees, and overhangs. Identified obstacles and hazards need to be removed from the path of travel before using the lift. If the hazard cannot be removed, a spotter may be needed.

Conduct Safety Inspections

Once the site inspection is complete, it is time to conduct an inspection of the mobile lift. This inspection must be completed every time before the lift is used. During the inspection, the operator must look for conditions that might make the unit unsafe. Tires should be checked for any defects such as cuts, bulges, or objects stuck in the tire. Proper tire pressure should also be checked.

Air hoses, fuel lines, and hydraulic lines should be visually inspected for leaks or damage. Fluid levels should be checked too. Guardrails, gates, and other safety devices must be checked to ensure they are properly in place and secured. These should be in good condition with no cracked welds or missing sections. All swinging gates will only swing in and never swing outward.

All safety and warning labels should be legible and in good condition. Fluid leaks, loose parts, and structural damage must be repaired before the lift can be used.

Once the visual inspection is complete, you must complete a functional test to ensure everything works properly. The function of the controls on the body of the portable lift needs to be checked to ensure each function operates properly. Be sure to test the emergency stop button to ensure its proper operation. The function of the controls on the work platform must be tested to verify they operate properly.

If the mobile lift has a foot pedal, the controls should not work unless the pedal remains depressed. Releasing the pedal should stop all movement. The forward, reverse and stopping functions are to be tested. The emergency stop button must be checked as well.

If an employee discovers any damage, defect, or malfunction during inspection, they should mark the vehicle out of service and report the situation to a supervisor. Employees must never use a damaged or defective lift.