Negative Effects of Scissor Lifts
A scissor lift is a specific type of mobile scaffolding. This wheel-mounted equipment provides power to a work platform that moves down and up. The lift can be powered by electricity, propane, gas or diesel. Scissor lifts are characterized by various scissor-like joints that raise the machine by collapsing and expanding. A lot of safety features are built into modern scissor lifts, specially models which are newer. As with any safety features, they might not be able to guarantee safety and some features could be overridden by operators manually or they could sometimes malfunction.
Accidental Elevation
Usually, construction workers utilize scissor lifts to work on higher aspects of the jobsites or on ceilings. The workers will have to lift the platforms just to right beneath ceiling level. The issue with accidental elevation can occur if the workers bump into the elevation controls inadvertently while working. In the ceiling scenario, the controls might be activated accidentally and the platform can rise up and inadvertently crush them into the ceiling.
Electrocution
Another way employees need to be really careful is to be certain they are familiar with the environment they are in while utilizing the machinery in order to ensure they don't accidentally electrocute themselves. If, for instance, an operator accidentally touches or makes direct contact with an electrical conductor or an induction field, tragic outcome could happen.
Lateral Loads
While operating a scissor lift, it is vital to be familiar with the loading restrictions in the handbook of your scissor lift. Very serious consequences can happen if the platform is mis-loaded. A lateral-load is one of the possible problems that can happen if the entire lift overturns. This situation takes place if a heavy tool or material such as a concrete slab that hangs over the side of a scissor lift platform, causing the whole machinery to become immediately unbalanced and greatly susceptible to dangerously tipping over.