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ACCESS IN ACTION • AUGUST 2016
ACCESS in ACTION
Potential Risk:
1. Scissor lift platforms that are narrow
enough to enable them to drive
through doors and openings with
the fixed handrails in place, allow an
opportunity for an operator to remain
standing or crouching on the platform.
The operator may become trapped
between the handrails and the door
frame. This may cause structural
damage to the scissor lift or the
building structure;
2. The scissor lift can be driven up/down
a ramp or onto a delivery vehicle/
trailer with an operator standing in the
lowered platform. The scissor lift can
be driven off the edge, the ramp can
give way or the scissor lift can bottom
out at the apex of the two different
angles causing the chassis to pivot,
and lose traction. The operator could
be injured if the scissor lift tips or the
operator loses control;
3. Driving “into or out of” a confined
space (for example a shipping
container or delivery vehicle), can
cause temporary blindness with the
operator moving from visible light to
the darkened void.
Observation:
Operating a scissor lift
in the scenarios noted above is common
and requires a site survey of the area to
be completed before entering the space
and cannot be done from the platform.
Risk analysis should be undertaken to
identify the hazards associated with
either controlling the driving from
within the platform, or walking beside
the platform using the extended cable
connected to the platform control box.
Walking alongside while driving the
scissor lift with the platform controls,
must be done only if it does not
endanger the operator or bystanders.
Manufacturer’s operating instructions
with either “generic” or specific
instructions of “Walking the Scissor”,
detailing the risks and hazards of driving
through openings, needs to be read and
understood. A competent person should
identify all hazards before attempting
such a manoeuver and must exercise the
safest option.
Control Measures:
A scissor lift should
Fitting mesh panel to the guardrails of
Work Platforms is sometimes seen as an
effective solution to preventing the fall
of tools and/or materials from elevated
work platforms. The Association has
become aware some construction
sites demand mesh guarding is fitted
as a prerequisite to access to the site.
The fitment of mesh panels, screens
or other protection will increase wind
loads and may affect the stability of
the MEWP and its strength. On some
platforms the increase in wind load
could be considerable. Manufacturers
only be operated from outside the
platform using the upper control box in
the following conditions:
• When performing certain maintenance
or testing, the guardrails are folded
or there is a risk of injury such as
overhead obstructions or during
loading/unloading, etc;
• If upon review, a Risk Assessment has
determined that operating from the
platform is not possible or practical for
operators, mechanics and drivers;
• To minimise the risk of being injured
while walking with a scissor lift the
below practices should be considered.
Before and during travelling, the operator
shall:
a. Refer to the manufacturer’s operating
manual and comply with any
manufacturer’s requirements for
walking the scissor lift;
b. Maintain a clear view of the support
surface and route of travel;
c. Ensure the cable is at least 1600mm
between the control box and plug;
d. Ensure the operator stands at least
1000mm from the wheels;
e. Not operate with the control box
secured to the machine: hold the
control box in your hands/arms;
f. Ensure you are holding the control box
in the same direction as it is mounted
on the platform before activating the
travel control lever as it is easy to
become confused about which way the
machine will move when you push the
travel control lever;
g. Always select the slowest speed
position on the Torque/Speed Select
Toggle Switch on the control box when
walking a lift, loading or unloading
from the ground;
h. Limit travel speed according to
conditions, including the condition
of the support surface, congestion,
visibility, slope, location of persons and
other factors;
i. Stand clear from the scissor lift, as far
away as the cable will allow, and out
of the direction of travel while walking
with the controls in hand;
j. Not drive the scissor lift towards
yourself;
k. Ensure the control box with the cable
does not become entangled with the
scissor lift or any surrounding objects;
l. Allow for the distance the work
platform moves or travels when
controls are released;
m.Ensure persons in the work site area
are aware of the movement of the
scissor lift to prevent personal injury.
It is recommended the horn is used
when travelling through doorways
where vision is limited; use a spotter if
needed;
n. Maintain a safe distance from
obstacles, debris, drop offs, holes,
depressions, ramps and other hazards;
o. Seek assistance if in doubt.
EWPA Guidance Document
–
Walking Scissor Lifts
The Elevating Work Platform Association of Australia has released guidance on driving
scissor lifts through doorways and other low openings and provides advice on reducing
the risks. The guidance note is available online at: www.ewpa.com.au
may offer mesh guards as a standard
option for fitment to the work platform
and these should always be the preferred
choice. Where a work platform is not
supplied with suitable protection the
end user should consult the supplier or
manufacturer. End users are advised
against fitting mesh guarding without
approval as strength, Safe Working Load
and particularly stability of the MEWP
may be affected. In some instances
fitment may be considered a notifiable
alteration to plant design and must be
submitted to the WorkCover Regulator.
EWPA – GUIDANCE NOTE
Installing mesh protection on MEWPs