Scissor Lift Risk Assessment

Scissor Lift Risk Assessment

Meta description: Understand the risks of scissor lifts: falls, crushing injuries, electrical hazards & mechanical issues. Importance of thorough scissor lift risk assessment.

Scissor lifts are essential for working at heights, but they come with inherent risks. This guide explores the common risks associated with scissor lifts, such as falls, crushing injuries, electrical hazards, and mechanical issues. Understanding and addressing these risks through a thorough assessment is crucial for ensuring worker safety.

Key Takeaways

• Falls, crushing injuries, electric shocks, and mechanical failures are some of the main risks of using scissor lifts.
• A thorough risk assessment is needed to identify all potential hazards and put proper controls in place.
• Workers must be trained on safe scissor lift operation and emergency procedures.

Common Risks Associated With Scissor Lifts

Scissor lifts are commonly used to access work at height. However, operating such powered equipment also presents certain risks that must be adequately understood and addressed. The main risks include falls, crushing injuries, electrical hazards, and mechanical issues.

A thorough risk assessment is necessary to fully understand all potential hazards and implement appropriate controls to protect workers.

1. Falls

Falls are one of the most common risks associated with scissor lifts. The platforms on scissor lifts are elevated to working heights, so any fall from them could result in serious injury. Scissor lifts can tip over if not properly balanced on uneven or unstable ground.

This could cause the platform and anyone standing on it to fall. Workers may also fall if not adequately secured by guardrails, fall arrest systems, or safety harnesses while on the elevated platform. Ensuring scissor lifts are only used on level, stable surfaces and all personnel use fall protection are vital details to prevent potential fall injuries.

2. Crushing

Crushing is another significant risk that must be addressed when using scissor lifts. Scissor lifts can crush workers if pinned between any part of the lift, such as the platform or scissor arms, and a fixed object like a wall. This could result in severe injury or even death. Establishing controls like delineating hazard zones and implementing operational procedures to protect workers from crushing risks is essential.

A complete risk assessment should evaluate all potential crushing hazards and ensure proper guards, controls, and safety protocols are in place to prevent injuries when operating or working around scissor lifts.

3. Electrical hazards

Contact with overhead power lines is another significant risk that must be addressed around scissor lifts. Since scissor lifts can reach substantial working heights, the equipment or an extended boom could come into contact with live electrical wires.

This could potentially expose operators or nearby workers to lethal electric shocks. A risk assessment is necessary to identify any proximity hazards from power lines during scissor lift use. Proper controls like elevation limits, insulated booms, and safety protocols are crucial to protect workers from electrical risks.

4. Mechanical hazards

All powered equipment, like scissor lifts, is at risk of potential mechanical issues that could harm operators or others nearby. A scissor lift relies on hydraulics or electromechanical systems to function correctly.

However, mechanical failures can occur from issues like hydraulic leaks, broken or frayed wiring, damaged booms, or problems with brakes, motors, or axles. A full risk assessment should evaluate all scissor lift components and address mechanical integrity, inspections, maintenance, and repair.