A scissor lift is nothing but a type of man lift typically used in maintenance facilities and construction areas. It is a piece of convenient equipment designed to lift or carry workers and tools towards a higher floor or portion in the facility or workplace.
It can reach as high as 17.9 meters or 59 ft.
Presently, several companies that offer scissor lift hire are available online. However, not everyone has the proper background in how scissor lifts work and what safety measures must be observed to prevent accidents to the workers and damages to property, tools, and equipment.
Type of scissor lift
There are two basic types of scissor lifts: rough terrain scissors and slab scissors. Rough terrain types are more suitable for road travelling as well as for traversing areas with rocky or rough road surfaces. It is powered and carried by tires that are filled with either air or foam to withstand intense pressure. Slab scissors, on the other hand, are designed with unmarked tires. It is suitable for smooth surfaces like concrete slabs.
Uses and applications
Scissor lifts are often used for indoor maintenance, such as when replacing light bulbs or repairing fixtures in establishments with high ceilings. It is likewise useful in areas with uneven terrains because it provides stability and better security for people who need to do repairs or construction work. Maintaining and organizing warehouses and storage facilities benefit from the convenience brought by scissor lifts.
Risk assessments and preparations
Risk assessments are conducted to determine which variation of the equipment is the most appropriate to use. Not only that, the equipment should only be handled by workers with dept experience and knowledge in handling a scissor lift. The type of equipment or tools, along with the number of workers assigned to use the lift must also be taken into consideration to prevent damages or possible risks that may occur while using the equipment. Some of the potential risks include exceeding the carrying capacity of the lift. This is a very dangerous mistake, and it could lead to fatal injuries.
Additional precautions
Additional precautionary measures are done if the task entails working on, within, or near a source of electricity. Workers with licenses in electrical training, along with other qualified individuals with relevant experience related to working on or within electrically-powered equipment and electrical sources.
Placement of workers
At best, workers using the scissor lift are advised to stay within the equipment and avoid standing near the rails. Otherwise, they might fall off or get caught in the wires or nearby structures. It is also for this reason that scissor lift hire is strictly assigned to experienced workers. They can determine how high or how low they must position the lift, and they also have better control of the speed at which the platform is lifted to the desired height. More importantly, experienced personnel can aid in checking the location where the lift will be used.
History and patent
The patent for the scissor lift was granted in April 1966, although it was originally filed in 1963. From 1976, after it was made available for commercial use by US-based company, JLG, several modifications have been done to make the scissor lift as efficient and versatile as it is now. Aside from incorporating the extendable lift, hybrid versions were manufactured for it to fit into different indoor areas and work demands.
