Scissors Lift Inspection GUIDE
Scissor lift is a complex machine perfect for jobs that require vertical ascent and descent. When contractors need to access high places but there is an obstacle in the way, or they’re working at even higher elevations, scissor lifts are the best choice. so, proper inspections are needed to ensure safety for your workers.
Performing Scissor lift inspections is necessary for ensuring the safety and productivity of any piece of scissor lift work platform. One of the challenges Scissor lift owners face is knowing how often to perform inspections on their scissor lift.
ANSI criteria say that proper inspections must be performed frequently and also annually. You may be asking yourself, Do you know when they were last inspected and how often they need to be inspected?
This topic will help you keep workers safe while operating scissor lifts by reviewing OSHA's scissor lift inspection requirements, "Here’s everything you want to understand about scissor lift inspections."
Inspections
Like all heavy equipment, scissor lifts require periodic maintenance and inspections to ensure equipment is running efficiently, helping operators maintain productivity. Scissor lifts should be inspected before use every day, at shift changes, and any time a new operator takes over the machine. A machine’s typical working environment also has an impact on how often it should be inspected
Inspections are the most significant element of maintaining a scissor lift. Inspections should occur more frequently if operators are using their scissor lift over multiple shifts every day, or if they are using them in a hostile environment, like those where welding or sandblasting are occurring. Making sure a scissor lift is in excellent working condition before running it will make it greatly less likely to test any sort of problem or failure
Scissor Lift Daily Pre-Use Inspection.
One of OSHA's terms that stick out is that scissor lift controls must be examined every day before to use to ensure that such controls are in safe operating condition. This is known as a pre-start inspection.
Before each task shift, a pre-start inspection must be done to ensure that the scissor lift is in safe working condition. When this in-depth inspection, OSHA advises reviewing the following elements of the scissor lift:
scissor lift Parts, Lower-level controls, charger and Battery, Casters and Tires, Steering and breaks Horn, lights and backup alarms, suitable fluid levels (oil, hydraulic, fuel, and coolant)
Some problems like a flat tire may be easy to fix, but other problems like dim lights require the call of the inspector. You can check the manufacturer's instructions to avoid any potential safety issues.
Keep in mind that inspecting the proper fluid levels includes ensuring the levels aren't too low, as well as no signs of leakage.
The pre-start inspection also includes inspecting the scissor lift itself. That means reporting any dangers related to:
Working and emergency controls, Hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical, fuel and air systems, Fiberglass and different isolated parts, Mechanical brakes and locking nail, Check Cable and wiring for any missing parts
If any of the parts of either the lift or vehicle appear defective, do not run the scissor lift. Remove the defective lift out of service till repairs are made by an experienced person.
Work Zone Inspection
Work Zone Inspection must be conducted prior to use. The operator must visually check the workplace area where the scissor lift is to be used to identify potential hazards so It’s crucial to be careful of the following:
► Blind spots, high-traffic areas, and narrow aisles.
► Dangerous weather conditions like a high wind.
► Dangerous weather conditions like a high wind.
► Debris and other obstructions.
► Ditches, bumps, and slopes.
► Low ceilings.
► Other workers and pedestrians in close proximity.
► Overhead cables and electrical power lines
(You should stay at least 10 feet away from overhead cables and power lines).
(You should stay at least 10 feet away from overhead cables and power lines).
► Potholes, uneven surfaces, and drop-offs.
► Inadequate surface and support to withstand all load forces imposed by the scissor lift platforms.
NOTE: Operation of scissor lifts outdoors is forbidden when wind speeds or gust reach 28 mph, when lightning is visible, or when thunderstorm warnings are in effect
Frequent inspections
The term “frequent” might be a little unclear. Frequent inspections must be performed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions on a scissor lift platform:
► The scissor lift was bought used (unless the scissor lift in question has up-to-date inspections).
► This inspection must be done except it is planned that the frequent and annual inspections are current.
► That has been in service for three months, or 150 hours, whichever comes first.
► That has been out of service for a period longer than three months.
► The inspection must be performed by an experienced person like a mechanic.
Inspection frequency should increase if the working environment is harsh or the severity and frequency of use change.
Annual inspections
Annual inspections must be done on the scissor lift not exceed thirteen (13) months from the date of the last annual inspection, Areas of inspection are defined by the manufacturer, so they may differ. In common, a special engineer will exam and inspect a different part of scissor lift functions so the inspection should include the following:
► All functions and their controls for speed(s), smoothness and limits of motion.
► Lower controls including the provisions for overriding of upper controls.
► All emergency and safety devices.
► Lubrication of all moving parts, an inspection of the filter element(s), hydraulic oil, engine oil and coolant as specified by the manufacturer.
► Optical inspection of basic components and other important parts like fasteners, bolts, shafts and locking systems.
► Placards, warnings and control markings (Items specified by the manufacturer).
► Emergency lowering system.
like frequent inspection, The inspection needs to be done by an expert person like a mechanic on the exact type of scissor lift platform. Scissors lift should not be put into service until any malfunctions or problems discovered during the inspection have been corrected.
Note: often the last time of the inspection is posted on the scissor lift. The inspection must be in accordance with items defined by the scissor lift company for an annual inspection
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Any PPE like the personal fall arrest system should be inspected before all use for mold, wear, damage and different deterioration. Defective PPE and parts must be out of service and must be reported to the operator’s administrator.
Inspection Records
Any inspection records should be kept by the management and be immediately available for review in request.
Maintenance
The scissor lift’s service manual should include a preventive maintenance schedule specific to each scissor lift, including proper servicing and maintenance procedures for the various parts of the scissor lift.
Each maintenance that is done on lifts must be made by qualified and experienced persons. The Administrator or Director of the management using the scissor lift is responsible for ensuring that all necessary inspections are made and correctly documented.
Generally
Inspections are a critical step in the prevention of scissor lift incidents or injuries. All identified issues observed during an inspection must be immediately corrected. so for your safety, you should do the following:
► Any scissors lift not in a safe operating condition must be removed from service.
► Repairs to the fuel and combustion systems of scissor lift that include fire dangers should be made only in places designated for such repairs.
► The battery must be disconnected for any repair involving the electrical system.
► Each part used in the repair and maintenance of the scissor lift should be approved by its company.
► Fuel tanks must not be filled while the engine is running.
► dropping oil or fuel must be fully cleaned up and the fuel tank should be changed before restarting the engine.
► Proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be used when conducting any required maintenance.
Changing or Charging Battery
It must be conducted in an intrinsically safe environment with adequate ventilation.
Facilities must be provided for
► Flushing and neutralizing spilled electrolyte.
► Fire Protection.
► Protection of the Charging apparatus.
► Emergency Eyewash must be accessible in any area where the electrolyte is added to the batteries.
► proper precautions need to be taken to stop open flames, sparks, or electric arches in battery charging zones.
► suitable PPE must be given
The inspection of the scissor lift should take place under the following situations:
► Electrical contact – such as with energized power lines.
► Shock load – sudden, intense loads on critical parts like those encountered when the scissor lift tips over or parts of it impact or collide with fixed or solid objects, or absorb a fall arrest load.
► Damage or failure due to overloading and/or over-stressing.
► All situations where possible injury happens due to something that could probably weaken any part of the scissor lift or make it less stable.
► A change of ownership occurs unless the last owner can give the full-service history of the scissor lift that contains service and maintenance records.
► Stay safe and in compliance by keeping your scissor lift equipment up-to-date on its inspections!
