When it comes to working at heights, safety is a top priority. While ladders have been the traditional choice for reaching elevated areas, scissor lifts have become increasingly popular as a safer alternative. In this blog post, we’ll explore just how much safer a scissor lift is over a ladder.

First and foremost, scissor lifts provide a stable platform for workers to stand on while completing tasks at height. The platform is typically surrounded by guardrails, providing a secure work environment and minimizing the risk of falls. In contrast, ladders have a smaller, less stable platform and no guardrails, which makes it easier for workers to lose their balance and fall.

Another important safety feature of scissor lifts is that they can be adjusted to different heights, allowing workers to reach a wide range of areas without the need to reposition the equipment. This eliminates the risk of overreaching, which is a common cause of falls from ladders. With a scissor lift, workers can easily move the platform up or down to the desired height, without having to climb up or down a ladder repeatedly.

Scissor lifts also offer greater mobility and flexibility than ladders. They can be easily moved around a worksite and can be used on uneven surfaces. This eliminates the need for workers to constantly move and reposition ladders, which can be time-consuming and dangerous.

In addition to providing a safer work environment, scissor lifts are also more efficient and can save time on the job. Because they can be adjusted to different heights, workers can complete tasks more quickly and with greater precision. This is especially important for jobs that require workers to use both hands, such as painting or electrical work.

Overall, there is no doubt that scissor lifts are a much safer alternative to ladders when it comes to working at heights. With their stable platform, guardrails, adjustable height, mobility, and efficiency, scissor lifts provide workers with a safer and more productive work environment. If you are considering using a scissor lift for your next job, be sure to select a reputable provider and receive the proper training to ensure that you are using the equipment safely and effectively.

Scissor lifts are a type of aerial work platform that can move people and materials vertically on a supporting platform. They are commonly used for construction, maintenance, inspection and cleaning tasks at height.

Scissor lifts have a criss-crossing metal base that can extend and collapse like a pair of scissors. The platform is attached to the top of the base and can be raised or lowered by hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical power.

There are different types of scissor lifts available for different applications and environments. Some of the main categories are:

• Electric scissor lifts: These are powered by batteries and are suitable for indoor use as they produce no emissions and have low noise levels. They can also operate on smooth and level surfaces.
• Diesel scissor lifts: These are powered by diesel engines and are suitable for outdoor use as they have higher performance and durability. They can also operate on rough and uneven terrain with the help of outriggers and self-levelling functions.
• All terrain scissor lifts: These are specially designed for challenging outdoor conditions such as mud, sand, snow and slopes. They have larger tyres, four-wheel drive, increased ground clearance and stabilisers.

Scissor lifts offer many benefits for working at height, such as:

• Safety: Scissor lifts have guardrails around the platform to prevent falls and accidents. They also have safety features such as emergency stop buttons, tilt sensors, overload alarms and anti-collision systems.
• Productivity: Scissor lifts can reach higher heights than ladders or scaffolds and can carry more people and tools at once. They also have easy controls and manoeuvrability to adjust to different work positions.
• Efficiency: Scissor lifts can save time and money by reducing the need for multiple equipment or workers. They also have low maintenance costs and long battery life.

However, scissor lifts also pose some risks if not used properly, such as:

• Tip-over: Scissor lifts can tip over if they exceed their weight capacity or stability limits. This can happen if they encounter strong winds, uneven ground or obstacles.
• Collision: Scissor lifts can collide with overhead structures, power lines or other vehicles if they are not aware of their surroundings or follow safety protocols.
• Electrocution: Scissor lifts can cause electric shocks if they come into contact with live wires or sources of electricity.

To use scissor lifts safely, follow these simple tips:

• Inspect the scissor lift before each use to check for any defects or damages.
• Read the operator’s manual carefully to understand how to operate the scissor lift correctly.
• Wear appropriate personal protective equipment such as helmets, gloves, harnesses and shoes.
• Do not exceed the weight limit or height limit of the scissor lift.
• Do not overload the platform with too many people or materials.
• Do not move the scissor lift while it is raised unless it is designed for that purpose.
• Do not raise the platform near power lines or overhead obstacles.
• Do not use the scissor lift in adverse weather conditions such as strong winds, rain or snow.

Scissor lifts are a useful tool for working at height safely and efficiently. By following these guidelines, you can ensure your own safety and that of others while using them.

When it comes to loading heavy machinery onto a trailer, there are a number of things that you need to be aware of before proceeding. Sure, it might sound simple enough, loading a scissor lift onto a trailer; after all, what could possibly go wrong? Well, that’s just it, there is an awful lot that can go wrong if you are careless and cocky with your approach. It doesn’t matter how much experience you have, or how many times you may have loaded heavy machinery onto a trailer, accidents can and do happen, which is why you must take every precaution, every single time. In this article – as you may have already guessed – we’re going to take you through the safest way to load a scissor lift onto a trailer.
Preparation is essential. Safety measures must be implemented to ensure that you are safely mitigating liabilities and avoiding construction accidents to protect both you, and your employees.

• Risk Assessment: When loading heavy equipment, you are responsible for making sure that everything is in working order. A risk assessment is a pre-emptive technique that allows you to sharpen up your fleet management processes and keep injury or risk of property damage to an absolute minimum.
• Always with the PPE: Since you are likely in the construction industry, you will have had the importance of PPE drilled into you from the get-go, so we won’t go into too much detail. You know why it is necessary to be geared up properly, so make sure that you are before going ahead.
• Inspect your Trailer: Inspecting the hauling capacity of your trailer is not only important for the loading sequence itself, but for the transportation as well. It’s all very well successfully loading your scissor lift if you end up having an accident mid-transit due to an overlooked defect.

Loading your Scissor Lift onto the Trailer: Loading is simple so long as you tick every box before proceeding.

• Designate responsibility: Assuming that you are not loading a scissor lift without an extra pair of hands, clearly designate between you and your colleagues, who is doing what. Spotter or driver, it doesn’t matter, clarity and communication are essential.
• Clean your ramps: It might sound a little daft to some people but cleaning the ramps is an essential part of the loading process. It’s not about having nice, shiny, and aesthetically pleasing ramps, but because oil, dirt, and other substance build-ups can cause serious problems. A clean and dry ramp enables suitable friction absent risk.
• Clear the area: Depending on the situation, you might not have a huge amount of space to manoeuvre. In any case, you’ll want to clear the loading area of any debris and ensure that you are loading on as even a surface as possible.
• Line em’ up: Next up you’ll want to pilot the scissor lift and get everything lined up perfectly symmetrical with the loading ramps. As you are surely aware, approaching at an angle is utterly ridiculous and terribly dangerous. Keep moving gradually using your spotter (or vice versa) to help you position the scissor lift perfectly for the loading procedure.
• Load your scissor lift onto the trailer: Once you are suitably lined up, you can slowly begin driving up the ramp. Remember that when on the ramp, the machine’s centre of gravity is going to shift; this is the most dangerous part of the process, so keep it moving steady and gradual until you make it over the crest.Remember that when positioning your scissor lift on the trailer, to balance the weight towards the front of the trailer.
• Chain/tie down the equipment: Before moving the trailer anywhere, first you need to ensure that your scissor lift is thoroughly secured. Use all manufacturer-labelled tie-down points (securing the appropriate points is essential) there must be NO slack. There should be at least two straps, or four chains in use (using all 4 points front and rear)

Due to numerous inquiries and misunderstandings regarding the licensing requirements for operating EWP’s at heights of 11m or above, we feel it necessary to provide clarification.

Individuals operating a boom-type elevated work platform with a height or reach of 11m or more are required to possess a valid National Licence to Perform High Risk Work class WP, issued by a Work Health and Safety Regulator. It should be noted that this license does not apply to scissor lifts or vertical lifts.

For employees operating any boom-type EWP under 11m or scissor lifts (of any height) or vertical mast/personal lifts, training is required to ensure compliance with WHS and OHS regulations.

All states in Australia have implemented an Occupational Health and Safety Act (OH&S) dedicated to safeguarding the health, safety, and welfare of individuals in the workplace. These legislations expressively affirm the responsibility to maintain safety at work. Generally speaking, each State OH&S Act covers the following key points:

• It is incumbent upon employers to deliver the requisite information, guidance, training, and supervision to guarantee the health and safety of their workforce during work hours.
• Manufacturers and providers of machinery have a duty to ensure that their equipment is safe for use when operated correctly. They must also provide comprehensive information about the conditions necessary for the safe utilisation of the equipment they manufacture or supply.
• Workers are required to collaborate in the execution of OH&S mandates to ensure compliance.

This means that as an employer, it’s necessary to have some form of evidence indicating that the operator has received training in the secure operation of an elevating work platform (EWP).

Verbal instruction is not an effective method of training as it lacks proof of training evidence.

The EWP Operator Training Program (or Yellow Card) is the result of the EWPA helping employers to comply with the OH&S Act.

The EWPA Yellow Card is widely accepted in the industry as the principal proof of training for Elevated Work Platforms. It is acknowledged nationwide by all major manufacturers, suppliers, and users of EWPs.

The Yellow Card training aligns with the two primary goals of the OH&S Acts, which are:

• It validates that the operators of specific kinds of EWPs have received training in the secure operation of the work platform.
• It provides tangible proof to the supplier, employer, and user that the necessary ‘duty of care’ has been fulfilled or surpassed.