Scissor lifts Recycling baler

Published: Dec. 5, 2019, 5:17 a.m.

I was walking a facility earlier last month and saw one of the new model scissor lifts. The plant manager asked me if I knew anything about one of these, and, well, I had to say no. It may have had the most futuristic control console I\u2019ve ever seen. I\u2019m Marty with you here today with Warehouse and Operations as a Career. Now I\u2019ve operated several scissor lifts and a couple of different Ariel lifts for that matter before, but this was the first one of this type I\u2019d seen. Come to find out his real question was had I ever been certified to operate it? As we\u2019ve learned before, in order to be certified we have to be observed operating it on his dock. And of course, been through a 29cfr1910.178 course with a trainer, where we would have learned exactly how to operate the unit and all its unique Safety concerns. I asked hadn\u2019t the manufacturer or salesman supplied him that instruction? He shared they had said something about it and maybe it\u2019d been scheduled for next week sometime. I told him I\u2019d get on the phone and find out and I\u2019d make sure everyone I planned to have operating it probably should attend that training. Now of course I\u2019m more than confident that I could had climbed up on the platform and have no problem performing the task with it but, as we all know, I\u2019d need to be trained and observed on it before I\u2019d even touch it right? I went and looked up a little more information on scissor lifts and learned they are not compared to Ariel lifts and are actually more closely associated with scaffolding. I ran across a really informative Hazard Alert at https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3842.pdf Working Safely with Scissor Lifts. Now, as with any publication I\u2019d strongly suggest you seek guidance from your employer or a local OSHA Outreach trainer with specific questions about any piece of equipment, but I thought this 2016 article mentioned some really good points.
\nScissor lifts provide a safe and reliable platform for workers to perform job tasks when used according to the manufacturer\u2019s instructions. When not used properly, scissor lifts can present a serious hazard to workers. Employers are responsible for keeping workers safe. This Hazard Alert highlights specific hazards present in workplaces where scissor lifts are used, and controls employers must implement to prevent injuries or fatalities.
\nThe Alert starts with an Introduction: Scissor lifts are work platforms used to safely move workers vertically and to different locations in a variety of industries including construction, retail, entertainment and manufacturing. Scissor lifts are different from aerial lifts because the lifting mechanism moves the work platform straight up and down using crossed beams functioning in a scissor like fashion. Although scissor lifts present hazards similar to scaffolding when extended and stationary, using scissor lifts safely depends on considering equipment capabilities, limitations and safe practices. Over a one-year period, OSHA investigated ten preventable fatalities and more than 20 preventable injuries resulting from a variety of incidents involving scissor lifts. OSHA\u2019s investigations found that most injuries and fatalities involving scissor lifts were the result of employers not addressing: \u2022 Fall Protection \u2022 Stabilization \u2022 Positioning.
\nThe next sections explain How To Safely Use Scissor Lifts and covers Fall Protection (see 29 CFR 1926.451(g) or 29 CFR 1910.29(a)(3)(vii)). Stabilization and Positioning. It mentions how dangerous high winds can be if we\u2019re outside using a lift. I once had an employee using a scissor lift out in the truck yard, changing the light bulbs up on the, what\u2019d you call them, I guess the parking lot light poles. Anyway, I thought it was too windy to be out there. From the ground it looked like the entire unit was swaying back and forth. I had him come in, I figured we could change the lights anytime. He didn't agree with me and felt he\u2019d have been fi...