Scissor lifts

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Permalink Reply by Darin Redding on February 24, 2012 at 11:54am

Hi John,

I have some information collected over the years that may benefit you. Attached is an OSHA LOI that may answer some of your questions. I have tool box talks, training materials, etc. if you need them.

Attachments:

• Interpretive letter - Genie Lifts - February 23 2000.doc, 149 KB

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Permalink Reply by John Symank on February 24, 2012 at 1:11pm

Thank you Darin - very informative.

Now a question of best practices for tying off. I've read some procedures where they say with the safety cage you do not have to tie off (unless there is a tie of point) and I have read opinions that go both ways. My guys say they do not want to tie off when moving, but they will tie off to the ceiling with a full harness when working high. In our facility, all work is in an enclosed manufacturing/warehouse area whose ceiling structure does allow easy access to strong tie off points.

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Permalink Reply by Darin Redding on February 24, 2012 at 5:59pm

With a safety cage, including a drop bar or chain closing off the side where EE's enter the lift platform, there is no requirement for tie off or any sort of mandatory fall protection. Following this SOP, the EE must remain standing on the original work surface and the use of ladders, standing on the cage, etc. are prohibited.

Per your comment, if they will be tying off to the building from within the scissor lift, I would think this would add additional risk, as what happens if two EE's are on the device and one begins moving the lift?

If you chose to proceed with tying off to building anchor points, consider creating permanent anchor points with live load capacities designed and certified by an engineer. Each certified permanent anchor point should have a tag affixed which states the following: (1) identification as an anchor point, (2) an identification number, and (3) the number of persons that may be properly attached to the anchor point. If the latter is not specified, then only one person may attach to the anchor. Each permanent anchor point shall be re-certified at three year intervals.

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