Scissor lifts are fantastic pieces of machinery that help contractors and construction workers reach inaccessible areas at great heights.

Whether its replacing light bulbs, getting on the roof, hanging decor, or painting, scissor lifts are great and safer placement for ladders.

Many department stores and warehouses also use scissor lifts to help stock product and inventory.

Scissor lifts are stable and provide a safe working platform for individuals.

It varies. Most scissor lifts will bring you a minimum of 15 feet and some go all the way up to 40 feet.

Here at Contractors Supply LLC, we offer two lifts that go up 19 and 26 feet.

If you need to go higher than 40 feet, you’re going to need a boom lift.

Although scissor lifts are great pieces of machinery, there is still a list of safety precautions to go over.

Since scissor lifts do elevate workers a few stories in the air, there’s always a risk of injuries or even death due to falling.
Falling is one of the leading causes of injuries and deaths among construction workers in the U.S.
Prevent injuries or worse by simply practicing better safety.

Before getting on a scissor lift, you should put on the proper gear.

Many people ask if using fall protection like a harness is necessary when operating on scissor lifts but OSHA does not make it a requirement. OSHA believes that the guardrails on a scissor lift is protection.

That being said, it may still be a good idea to wear one for extra precaution.

For obvious reasons, you should never exceed the carrying capacity of a scissor lift.

This isn’t just the weight of each person on the lift, but also the weight of all the equipment you’re carrying.

As a general rule of thumb, most scissor lifts the reach 20 feet will have a weight capacity of 500 pounds.

25 feet and up will have a capacity of around 800 pounds.

The taller something is, the more tip-able it becomes.

The same goes for scissor lifts.

Add windy conditions into the mix and you’re looking at a disaster waiting to happen.

A tipping scissor lift puts the operator and everyone else below in serious danger. 

When operating and driving a scissor lift, obstacles can come from above and below. 

Watch for power lines, trees, branches, and other objects that come from above. The last thing you want is to get electrocuted and hit your head on a tree.

At the same time, you have to watch for obstacles on the ground. More specifically, watch out for people, equipment, wiring, and anything that risks the safety of yourself, other people, and the scissor lift.

If you want to operate a scissor lift, it’s a good idea to know what you’re doing.

If you don’t it’s best that you hire someone who does.

The same goes for any and all employees/workers who wish to operate.

Scissor lifts can weigh thousands of pounds. Any machinery with that kind of weight can do some serious damage in the wrong hands.

Not to mention, a lack of training can also lead to lawsuits… 

We’ll say it again: “Aerial platforms can tip easily.”

The risk increases on surfaces that are uneven or slanted.

Try to stay on as level ground as possible, even when driving moving the machine from one spot to another.

If you do happen to work on an incline, try using brakes and/or wheel chocks for extra safety.

Not what you’re thinking…

You should not drive a scissor lift when the lift is at it’s maximum height. 

If you’re moving the scissor lift from one spot to another, bring the lift down all the way so it’s more stable. Then you can proceed to move the lift.

Regulations for aerial lifts may differ based in the state, town/city, or even property you work on.

Do some research before you even start using any type of aerial lift to ensure that you’re complying with the rules.