Can You Use a Scissor Lift on a Slope SAFELY ?!

Scissor lifts are typical mobile elevating work platforms Their basic purpose is to
elevate workers, tools, and stuff to the needed working height besides helping the operator to manage the movement and position of the lift.
scissor lift helps to reduce the psychological stress and physical requirements of a worker at an elevated height. Therefore, if a scissor lift is perfectly designed, manufactured, maintained, and properly used, it will increase not only the operators’ productivity but also their safety. For these reasons, scissor lifts with completely different capacities and elevating heights are more and more used at many workplaces. Unfortunately, fatal and non-fatal incidents have additionally occurred throughout scissor lift operations.
Many of these incidents were related to lift tip-over and/or operators falling within or from the platform or using it on a slope.
Without taking into account some instructions 

• MAXIMUM SLOPE

 In some cases, your boom or scissor lift could also be rated to work on an incline. The maximum slope on which your lift can be moved or elevated is specific to each machine. The safe working angle will be defined on the manufacturer’s identification plate fitted to the lift or marked by a decal in the platform. You’ll also see the maximum slope or safe operating angle in the operators manual. The specified safe working angle or maximum slope must not ever be exceeded. We cannot exceed that Scissor lifts must be run on the firm level ground only unless the manufacturer’s ID plate, decals, and operators manual state otherwise.
make sure to checkup before operating the lift on any slopes.

• MAN LIFT SLOPE SENSORS
Many aerial lifts have slope sensors. If the lift is operated on an angle overriding the maximum slope, visual or audible alarms will warning the operator. When these alarms are triggered, the lift must be lowered and re-positioned on a surface that is within the safe working angle allowed by the manufacturer.

• OUTRIGGERS AND SLOPES
Man lifts with outriggers will work slightly differently on inclines. The outriggers enable the machine to be leveled on rough ground. For the level to be assessed, the lift should be fitted with either a circular spirit level or front-to-rear and side-to-side spirit levels. If there's insufficient travel on the outriggers to enable the machine to be leveled then appropriate packing (shoring or cribbing) material may be used, with approval from the manufacturer, to level the lift.

SAFETY ON SLOPES

Different worksite situations present unique safety challenges. 
A Scissor lift on sloped or uneven ground may be extremely dangerous in the hands of an inexperienced operator. The right training is required to make sure workers know about safety risks that can cause serious injuries or even death. Therefore, before running, complete a worksite inspection to recognize any hazards or unsafe conditions like slopes. Therefore,
 It is necessary to do the following :

1-Read the Operator's Manual 

Understand and follow the information

2-Operation on Slopes

Do not raise, extend or operate the machine unless it is on a firm, level surface

3-Driving on Slopes

Limit stowed travel speed, according to the condition and surface traction of the slope. DO not exceed the maximum slope rating for the machine. 

4-Braking on Slopes

Limit travel speed according to the situation and surface traction of the slope, as the machine braking distance could be different

5-Drop-Offs

use extreme care and slow speeds while driving the machine near drop Offs.

6-Determine Slope Grade

Measure the slope with a digital inclinometer or use another method Of knowing the slope rate

7-Make sure your trained Scissor lift workers are aware of the ground conditions at the worksite before beginning operation.

Do not raise the platform on the slope or drive on the slope                                           when elevated

Determine the slope grade

For mobile elevating working platforms (MEWPs), the ground slope is the main contributor to machine stability and, ultimately, the operator’s safety. Among the list of the required equipment is necessary for scissor lifts to prevent functions when the machine’s chassis angle exceeds its recommended rating and the worker is at height. 

This may happen when a scissor lift is being used on a slight slope, or when two of the four wheels are on an elevated surface such as a raised sidewalk. Operators will need to understand the equipment that they need for each specific application, as several jobs may need ground cribbing to be used or even a larger boom lift with a higher outreach from chassis to the platform.

How To Determine It:
measure the slope with a digital inclinometer OR use the subsequent procedure.You will need

• carpenter's level 
• a straight piece of wood, at least 3 feet/lm long
• tape measure

Steps:
1-Lay the piece of wood on the slope. 

2-At the downhill end lay the level on the top edge of the piece of wood and lift the end until the piece of wood is level. 

3-While carrying the piece of wood level, estimate the vertical distance from the base of the piece of wood to the ground. 

4-Divide the tapeline measure distance (rise) by the length of the piece of wood (run) and multiply by one hundred

Example: 
Piece of wood 144 inches (3.6 m) 
Run = 144 inches (3.6 m) 
Rise =12 inches (0.3 m) 
12 in÷144in = 0.083x100=8.3% grade
0.3m÷3.6m = 0.083x100=8.3% grade

If the slope exceeds the maximum slope or side slope rating, then the machine should be winched or transported up or down the slope.

How to Avoid a Scissor Lift Tip-Over

• Ensure Load and Weight Capacities Aren’t Exceeded
  to stop tip-overs, it’s important to avoid overriding the capacities of each aerial lift, which is the fixed peak load capacity documented by the manufacturer. The peak load capacity includes the weight of the operator and every tools, materials, and equipment that's on the platform. The manufacturer load chart details the load capacities for any lift, and it's the employer’s responsibility to make sure that all workers can read and understand the load chart. Operators should never use visual signs of tipping as indicators of the lift capacity.

• Use Proper Stabilization Techniques
  When stabilising the lift, operators need to set outriggers on pads or on a level surface, and should not exceed the manufacturer’s maximum slope recommendations, which is approximately 5% or less. It’s also necessary to use wheel chocks and brakes whenever operating on a slope, and the following: operators must realize the type and proper usage of the stabilizing mechanisms of the definite lift; must not move or modify the mechanisms with a high platform, and should maintain the intended center of gravity to stabilize the lift by dispersing loads on the platform perfectly. Workers must also avoid horizontal work tasks that may cause too great of force and cause the platform to swing and become unstable.

• Use Safe Operational, Traveling, and Loading Practices
  Unsafely ready loads will cause the aerial lift to become unstable and tip over. It’s essential for operators to not carry objects or materials that are greater than the lift platform, to not operate with the lift elevated unless the lift is particularly designed for this mission, to not operate lower controls unless the operators on the platform allow it, to never override horizontal or vertical reach limits, to never override safety devices, and to never operate the lift in bad weather including high winds. Additionally, operators must be careful of wreckage and potholes, overhead wires and cables, and do not surpass the manufacturer’s speed limits.

pre-operation checklist

Operating your scissor lift on a slope can be greatly dangerous. If possible avoid elevating on slopes - the risk of a tip over increases as you elevate the platform or bucket. therefore, 
You should use the pre-operation checklist for scissor lift 

• PRE-Operation:
  1-Ensure operator is licensed to Do High-Risk Work – Working at Heights.
  2-Perform Pre Start Check of all components and platform.
  3-Report any faults to your supervisor.  Do not operate lift if any faults are found and isolate scissor lift by using a lockout tagout system.
  4-Ensure the area of work is clear of debris and is stable and even.
  5-Ensure all tools and materials are secured to the platform.
  6-Temporarily fence off the area surrounding the lift to ensure that no one can enter the area during operation.
  7-Ensure that harnesses are used and attached to appropriate anchor points.

• Operation:
  1-Always moves the lift in the lowered position to enable the operator to have a clear line of sight.
  2-Do not lean out over rails of the platform when working at heights.
  3-Ensure the lift is rated to take the weight of the load including tools and the persons using the platform.
  4-Ensure the load weight is evenly distributed on the platform.
  5-Place sign on the bottom control panel to prevent unauthorized movement or operation of the machine while in use.
  6-If fitted, depress ‘Dead Man’ button to prevent movement of the machine.

• POST-Operation:
  1-Lower the lift.
  2-Detach from anchor points.
  3-Store in a suitable position.
  4-Remove the power cord from the outlet.