A scissor lift is a Mobile Elevating Work Platform (MEWP) designed to safely raise workers and their tools to elevated locations. The platform moves vertically, supported by crisscrossing metal supports that extend when power is applied. Operating this machinery requires complete adherence to the manufacturer’s manual and procedures to prevent accidents and ensure productivity.
Prerequisites: Certification and Training
Operating a scissor lift requires formal training covering safe use, hazard recognition, and operational controls. Regulatory bodies, such as OSHA, mandate this training to ensure operator competency and mitigate the risks associated with working at height.
Successful completion of training results in certification, which must be refreshed periodically. Operators must also receive site-specific familiarization with the exact make and model of the lift they will be using. This includes understanding the location of the manual and the proper function of all unique controls.
Essential Safety Rules and Personal Protective Equipment
Before ascending, the operator must confirm the lift’s maximum load capacity, accounting for the weight of personnel, tools, and materials. Never exceed the manufacturer’s rated limit, as overloading compromises stability and risks structural failure. Operators must move slowly and deliberately when driving or elevating the platform, avoiding sudden stops or rapid directional changes.
Maintaining a safe clearance from power lines is required, as electrocution is a significant hazard. The minimum safe approach distance varies by voltage, but a wide buffer zone must always be maintained. Operators must keep all body parts within the platform confines and never use guardrails for access or egress.
Personnel must wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to mitigate fall risks. This includes a full-body harness secured to an approved anchor point using a lanyard. The lanyard must be short enough to prevent the worker from falling completely out of the basket. Standard PPE, such as hard hats, safety glasses, and high-visibility vests, should also be worn.
Pre-Operation Inspection Checklist
The operator must perform a thorough physical “walk-around” inspection before powering on the lift. This inspection ensures the machine is safe for operation.
Inspection Points
Tires and wheels must be checked for proper inflation, excessive wear, or damage.
The structure must be examined for visible dents, cracks, or compromised welds on the scissor arms or chassis.
Fluid levels must be checked, ensuring the hydraulic reservoir is full. Fuel-powered lifts require adequate fuel, and electric lifts require battery charge verification.
All control functions must be tested systematically, starting with the ground controls, which override platform controls in an emergency.
Platform controls (steering, drive, and lift/lower) must be tested while the lift is on the ground.
Emergency stop buttons, located on both the platform and chassis, must be verified to immediately cut all power when pressed.
The guardrail system must be checked for integrity, ensuring chains, gates, or bars are securely latched and undamaged.
Safety decals and operating placards must be present and legible, providing clear information on load limits.
Brakes must be inspected to ensure they engage properly when the drive function is released or the lift is parked.
If any item is malfunctioning or damaged, the machine must be immediately tagged out of service for repair.
Preparing the Work Environment
The operator must assess the work area, focusing on the ground surface where the lift will travel and operate. The ground must be firm, level, and capable of supporting the combined weight of the machine and its maximum load. Operating on soft dirt, unstable fill, or excessive slopes can lead to a tip-over incident.
Potential drop-offs, holes, trenches, or obstacles in the travel path must be identified and barricaded. Overhead hazards, including electrical power lines, low-hanging pipes, and building overhangs, must also be identified to prevent contact during ascent.
The operator should establish a perimeter around the work zone using cones or barricades. This measure prevents unauthorized personnel or equipment from entering the immediate vicinity of the operating lift.
Operating the Scissor Lift Step-by-Step
After completing the inspection and preparing the environment, the operator powers the machine. This involves inserting a key or turning a selector dial to the “On” position on the ground control panel. Once powered, the operator switches the control station selector to the “Platform” position before climbing into the basket.
The platform controls allow the operator to manage all functions from the elevated working position. Driving the lift requires engaging the control lever, often a joystick, which manages speed and direction. The operator must verify the direction of travel matches the control input before moving.
When driving, maintain a slow, controlled speed, especially when approaching the work location. Operators must never drive the lift while the platform is fully elevated, as this increases instability and tip-over risk. Many modern lifts automatically restrict the drive function when the platform exceeds a certain height.
To raise the platform, the operator engages the lift control, typically a toggle switch or dedicated button. The upward movement should be smooth and continuous until the desired working height is achieved. The operator must monitor the environment during ascent to ensure clearance from overhead obstructions.
When ready to descend, the lower control is engaged, allowing the platform to return to the ground level in a controlled manner. Never drop the platform rapidly, as a sudden stop can jolt personnel and damage hydraulic components. The operator must maintain a clear line of sight to the ground below during descent to avoid crushing hazards.
In the event of a malfunction or emergency, the operator must immediately press the emergency stop button on the platform control panel, cutting all electrical power. If the operator is incapacitated or platform controls fail, ground personnel must utilize the emergency lowering system. This system is typically a manually operated pump or a bypass valve located on the chassis.
Activating the ground controls for emergency lowering releases the hydraulic fluid, slowly bringing the platform down. This procedure requires careful monitoring to ensure a steady descent rate and is reserved only for true emergency situations. After any emergency intervention, the machine must be thoroughly inspected before being returned to service.
Parking and Securing the Scissor Lift
Once work is complete, the operator must ensure the platform is fully lowered to its stowed position. The lift should be driven slowly to a secure, level storage location away from traffic and hazards. The engine or power system must then be completely shut off by turning the key or selector dial to the “Off” position.
The parking brake should be engaged, and wheel chocks may be placed against the tires for extended storage or on an incline. Removing the key or locking out the controls prevents unauthorized use. The lift must be secured within a designated area to protect it and prevent tampering.