Protecting Construction Workers from Falls on Scissor Lifts: Best Practices

Scissor lifts provide an efficient and stable platform for construction workers needing to perform tasks at elevated heights. However, falls from these platforms remain a significant safety concern, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Implementing best practices to minimize the risk of falls is crucial for keeping workers safe. This article explores the key causes of falls from scissor lifts and provides best practices to prevent these accidents on construction sites.

Key Causes of Falls from Scissor Lifts

1. Lack of Fall Protection: Workers without proper fall protection equipment, such as harnesses and guardrails, are more susceptible to falls, particularly when the platform is elevated.
2. Inadequate Training: Improper use of scissor lifts, often due to inadequate training, leads to unsafe practices like leaning over guardrails or operating the lift without securing harnesses.
3. Unstable Ground: Setting up the lift on uneven or unstable ground increases the likelihood of tipping over, especially when the platform is fully extended.
4. Improper Platform Use: Climbing or sitting on the guardrails, leaning over them, or standing on objects placed on the platform can all cause workers to lose balance and fall.

Best Practices for Preventing Falls from Scissor Lifts

1. Fall Protection Equipment: Ensure all workers wear personal fall protection equipment, including harnesses that are secured to designated anchor points. Guardrails must be inspected and secured before elevating the platform.
2. Comprehensive Training: Operators must be thoroughly trained on safe scissor lift use, covering topics like stabilization, weight limits, emergency procedures, and proper harness use.
3. Proper Setup and Stabilization: Ensure that the lift is set up on firm, level ground, and that stabilizers are deployed if available. Avoid placing the lift on debris, slopes, or other unstable surfaces.
4. Avoid Leaning Over Guardrails: Workers should avoid leaning over guardrails or using them as footholds. Guardrails should not be used as climbing surfaces.
5. Weight Distribution: Evenly distribute the weight of personnel and equipment on the platform to prevent tipping. Avoid overloading the platform beyond the manufacturer’s weight limits.
6. Emergency Lowering Controls: Make sure all operators and ground crew are familiar with the emergency lowering controls to quickly and safely lower the platform if an issue arises.
7. Regular Inspections: Conduct regular pre-operation inspections to ensure all safety features, guardrails, and fall protection equipment are intact and functional.

Conclusion

Preventing falls from scissor lifts requires a proactive approach to safety, including proper training, fall protection equipment, and regular inspections. Operators must also follow best practices for setup, stabilization, and weight distribution. These measures can significantly reduce the risk of falls and create safer working conditions for construction personnel. If workers suffer injuries from a fall due to improper use or lack of safety measures, they should consult a personal injury attorney to understand their rights and seek compensation.

Our experienced lawyers have handled personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits of all kinds and have the skills needed to represent the families of loved ones who have lost their lives or those who have been seriously hurt.  The experienced scissor lift personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Spagnoletti Law Firm can help you understand your rights if you or a loved one was a victim of an accident involving a scissor lift.

Our lawyers have represented numerous workers who have sustained serious and catastrophic injuries on a job site as a result of the negligence of another party.  There are strict and short time limits on making claims, so please contact us online or call 713-804-9306 or to learn more about your legal rights.