Scissor lifts are large pieces of versatile scissor lift equipment that are commonly used inside warehouses, factories and on construction jobsites. In addition to these traditional worksites, these lifts are often found on many high school, college and university campuses for the purposes of viewing, videotaping or directing activities such as athletic, band and theatre events and productions. Scissor lifts and other elevated work platforms are used by workers to gain access to conduct work at heights.

Employers that have workers using scissor car elevators must adequately address the hazards associated with the use of this equipment. Some of the common occupational hazards associated with the use of scissor lifts include the following:

The lift tipping-over or a worker falling off the platform if the lift is: operated in unfavorable weather conditions (i.e. high winds, snow, sleet, hail or rain); positioned on soft or unlevel ground or surfaces; positioned on weak utility covers (i.e. sprinkler valve boxes); overloaded with heavy objects; used without guardrails; driven on uneven, unstable ground, while the lift is in an elevated position; and elevated and the brakes have not been properly set.

One of the most important aspects in the safe operation of parking lifts includes ensuring operators have received the appropriate training to safely operate the equipment. Only trained and competent workers should be permitted to use any scissor lift. To be effective, classroom-style instruction must be combined with a safe operational procedure demonstration.

Training must also be specific to the type of scissor lift the employee will operate. Employers must stress the importance of workers to follow the established safe work practices and manufacturers’ recommendations for operating scissor lifts safely.

Training must include the following elements: employer’s established safe work practices; manufacturers’ recommendations for safe operation; hazards associated the scissor lift and worksite; procedures for dealing with and reporting potentially hazardous situations; and trainee demonstration of safe operational use of the lift.

Documentation of operator training must be maintained for a minimum of three years. Employers should retraining scissor lift operators as necessary. Operator retraining should occur as equipment or work conditions change. Additionally, retraining scissor lift parking solution operators is necessary if circumstances (e.g. near misses) lead the employer to believe operators do not have the skill set required to operate the equipment safely.