Maintaining safety standards is always important on job sites, but it’s even more crucial when working in elevated positions. Fall hazards are the most common types of accidents on construction sites. This is why anyone using lifting equipment must pay attention to safety instructions while using the machine. This applies to scissors lift hire too.
Although a scissor lift is relatively stable and comes with safety features to protect users, poor handling of this machine can expose workers on your site to safety risks. Following safety standards when working in elevated positions prevents accidents and ensures a safe working environment on construction sites. This guide presents a comprehensive checklist for elevating safety standards when hiring scissor lifts for your projects.
Pre-rental Considerations
Contrary to what many people might think, maintaining safety on a construction site doesn’t just begin when the scissor lift arrives on your site. It starts long before that. There are several pre-rental considerations that can significantly impact your experience with a scissor lift and the safety of everyone on the job site. Here are a few of them:
Importance of Choosing the Right Equipment
Scissor lifts vary considerably in terms of platform size, weight capacity, and other specifications. A huge part of the safety checklist for your project is making sure you get a lift with the right specifications based on the peculiarities of your project.
Consider the platform width for instance. Trying to extend your body to cover the work area from one fixed position is a common cause of falls on construction sites. Choosing a platform with a good width gives you the freedom to be more flexible when working in elevated positions without putting yourself at risk.
Similarly, choosing a lift with low weight capacity isn’t just going to slow down your project. There’s a real risk of overloading the machine, which can be quite dangerous. All of these explain why you must pay attention to the scissor lift specification and choose suitable equipment for your project.
Site Assessment
You should also do a thorough assessment of your site before proceeding to rent a scissor lift. A pre-rental site assessment will help you figure out things like the working height and how much space you have in your site for a scissors lift. While this machine is quite manoeuvrable, you must select an appropriately sized unit based on the space available on your site. You’ll also need to inspect for potential obstacles, ground stability, and sloppiness so you can make necessary adjustments before the machine arrives.
Operational Safety Protocols
Choosing the right mobile access equipment is the first step in maintaining operational safety on your construction site. However, there are several other safety checks and strategies that operators and other workers must follow while using the lift. Here are a few of them.
Train Operators
Scissors lifts are generally easy to operate. You don’t need lengthy training or an official license to operate this machine. However, scissor lift operators still need basic training on safe and efficient handling of the lift.
You’ll typically get a user manual from the equipment rental company for the specific scissor lift model you hire. Operators should never assume they can operate a scissor lift without reading the manual first. Even if you’re familiar with other types of scissors lift, read the manual for the specific model you get and follow the instructions for handling it.
Always Wear your Safety Harness
Scissors lifts come with in-built safety features meant to protect workers when working in elevated positions. The safety harness is one of such features. Workers using a scissor lift platform should always use a safety harness, regardless of the operating height of the machine. This reduces the risk of falling to almost zero in cases of accidents.
Never Use A Scissor Lift for Any Task it Wasn’t Intended to Perform
The user manual of your scissor lift will typically indicate what the machine can be used for. You’re at risk of serious injury or accident when you repurpose a scissors lift or try to use it for anything else aside from its intended purpose as indicated by the manufacturer. Check for appropriate terrain, weight capacity, number of works, power source, and other instructions on the ideal usage of the scissor list and adhere to it.
Never Use A Scissor Lift When it is Unsafe or Unfit for the Job
Before using a scissors lift, do a thorough inspection to confirm that it is fit for the task at all. Do not use the machine when there are visible signs of damage or faults that may put you at risk when work begins. The scissors lift is designed to support the weight of workers and materials, it won’t perform this task effectively if it’s damaged in any way. Some of the things to check include:
- Inspect the hydraulic hoses and fittings on the machine to ensure there are no leaks
- Check the tyres for signs of wear and tear
- Inspect the battery and wiring system
- Check the control box and confirm it’s working properly
- Test the emergency stop button and other safety features
- Check the steering and braking system
Do not move forward until you’re certain you have a fully functional unit with no safety concerns. In addition to the machine, inspect the job site for potential issues as well. Working in windy or rainy conditions isn’t recommended as this can increase the risk of accidents.
Post-use Inspections
After each use, do a final walk-around of the machine to verify its condition. Doing this ensures that you catch potential issues on time and fix them before the next use so it doesn’t hold up your project. For more serious repair issues, you can promptly report them to the rental company and have the situation rectified. You should always keep a logbook to document your findings for each inspection.
Conclusion
While this might seem like an overwhelming checklist, no price is too high to pay for the safety of everyone on your job site. Following these pre-rental, operational and post-use checks will reduce the risk of accidents or injuries and all the costs associated with it.
You’ll learn more about scissor lift safety when you speak to our rental experts at easyToolhire for your next project. We provide quality rental equipment for contractors and construction companies in the UK and can guide you through the process of renting and safely using a scissors lift for your project. Contact easyToolhire to get a lift for your next project.
