Construction Safety:

Scissor Lifts

Scissor Lifts
Aerial Work Platforms Classified by OSHA as Scaffolding Guidelines addressed in OSHA 1926.452(w) - Mobile Scaffolds
Must meet requirements of this section

Scaffolds
Scaffold means any temporary elevated platform (supported or suspended) and its supporting structure (including points of anchorage), used for supporting employees or materials or both.

Statistics
More construction workers die from falling from a height above 6 feet
Annual average 32-35%

Average of 8 scissor lift fatalities each year 10 year study conducted:

Showed 40% of accidents occurred due to tip-over

Many trades involved:

Painters Drywallers Electricians Others

Top 10 Aerial Lift Fatality Causes

1. 2. 3. 4. Operating on an uneven surface Encountering holes, debris and drop-offs while operating elevated Climbing above or leaning over the 42-inch minimum top rail Overloading and collapsing the boom (i.e. using a manlift as a material crane) 5. Making contact with electrical conductors with an uninsulated portion of the lift 6. Neglecting to deploy outriggers or brace sufficiently against tip-over 7. Making body contact with electrical conductors or entering the induction field 8. Operating the lift in inclement weather or low visibility conditions 9. Inexperienced or untrained operators 10.Unobserved, uncorrected mechanical or structural defects in equipment

Scissor Lifts Accidents

The most common types of accidents involving a scissor lift:
Tip-Over
caused by misapplication of the machine, obstacles

Misuse of the Equipment

Machines marked "Use on level surface only" Used outdoors for the sake of economy or availability, often resulting in tip-overs

Lack of Maintenance

Industry Chronicles
Salem, N.H., August 2007:
Two men on machine when it began to rock back and forth
One worker grabbed onto roof pulling himself to safety The other worker went down with machine

Scissor lift tipped over backward and fell to the ground Injured a 20-year-old construction worker, sent to hospital OSHA Investigation is underway

Industry Chronicles
Garland, Texas, September 2007:
Construction worker on scissor lift was slightly injured after a roof of a building he was working on collapsed. roof section fell onto the scissor lift Operator was protected by the guardrails on the lift. The man was taken to the hospital as a precaution.

Industry Chronicles
Kansas City, Mo., October 2007:
A man was dismantling the steel frame of a building when an I-beam fell on his scissor lift. Aerial lift fell over, dropping the man seven feet to the concrete floor below. Firefighters rushed to the scene and quickly freed the worker.

Safety Features
Self-leveling platform or basket AC/DC wired outlets in basket Interlock control on safety gate Tilt sensor-alarm Built-in two-way radio and pothole protection Motion alarm Redundant foot control lock-out Voltage sniffer and alarm

Accident Prevention
Responsibility of the employee-designated competent person to evaluate the condition of the equipment. OSHA 1926.451(f)(3):
Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift and after any occurrence which could (potentially) affect a scaffolds structural integrity.

OSHA Accident Prevention

The surface of the scissor lift being moved shall be within 3 degrees of level. Speed of scissor lift shall not exceed 1 foot per second.
3 max

Accident Investigation
Perform an investigation as soon as an accident occurs
Do not return the equipment (if rented) without documenting the incident first
Rental contractor contacted, sends out a replacement unit, immediately removing and repairing the unit involved in the accident. Destroys the evidence "trail" before the investigation even begins.

Accident Prevention
Use equipment on safe level ground only Do not overload equipment and/or use as a material lift Inspect installed safety equipment during a pre-start inspections
Document Defects, Repairs, and/or missing safety equipment; notify rental contractor

Obtain 12-month rental and repair history before renting the equipment

Accident Prevention
Develop maintenance and documentation procedures for rental yard clients
Keep records for at least 3 years

Emphasize the need to document predelivery and return inspections Training

Allow time to instruct for safe operation of machinery Operations Training