Elevating work platforms (EWPs) are mobile items of plant designed to lift or lower people & equipment from a base support. Scissor lift is a type of EWP used to move workers vertically in various location & can be operated on flat, solid surfaces or rough terrain depending on the design.
Here are some tips to keep safe on & around scissor lifts.
Plan It Out:
All tasks involving the use of EWP’s should be planned and hazard identification must be carried out. Scissor lift operators must be clear on the
type of equipment they need for the work and familiar with it before beginning.
• Ensure job-related hazards and risks are considered, and the EWP selected is appropriate in line with this.
• Ensure the SWMS is written considering these hazards and risks; read and understood by the working team.
• Ensure you have the required training. e.g., a yellow card for operating an EWP under 11m, and a high-risk license for 11m and above.
Fall Protection:
• Scissor lifts must have guardrails installed to prevent workers from falling.
• Fall arrest systems must be used in situations where the guardrails do not protect the worker from falling
(e.g., when the gate will be opened at heights).
• If intending to use fall arrest, the plant must be checked prior to ensure a suitable anchor point is available.
Stabilisation:
Ensure scissor lifts are stable and will not tip over or collapse:
• Isolate the scissor lift or implement traffic control measures
• Select work locations with firm, level surfaces away from hazards that can cause instability (e.g., drop-offs, holes, slopes, bumps, ground obstructions, or debris).
• Only use the scissor lift outside when weather conditions are good (check wind conditions)
The following work practices should be considered to ensure that scissor lifts are safely positioned:
• Implement traffic control measures around the scissor lift to prevent other workers or vehicles from getting too close.
• Use ground guides when operating or moving the scissor lift around the workplace.
• Select work locations that do not approach electrical power sources (e.g., power lines, transformers) and that do not pose other
overhead hazards.
• If the job task requires work near an electrical source, ensure that the worker is qualified and has received the required electrical training.
