When it comes to OSHA compliance, the more dangerous a piece of equipment is to use, the more rules and regulations are attached to it. A substantial one to note are OSHA scissor lift requirements.
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With more rules and regulations, it becomes more difficult to be 100% compliant without overlooking a few things.
But, even the smallest negligences can result in big fines and penalties, not to mention the safety consequences of injury or death.
To get you started on the right track, weve compiled this brief guide of the essentials you need to know about OSHA MEWP and scissor lift safety requirements.
Scissor lift operators can wear a full-body harness with a fall restraint or self-retracting lifeline/lanyard system. The scissor lift safety harness can be anchored to a scissor lift via a lanyard. The harness lets a scissor lift operator work at heights without limiting their mobility. If a scissor lift operator wearing a harness with a fall restraint falls from their lift, he or she cannot drop. This is due to the fact that the operator is connected to the lift.
A scissor lift harness wont stop you from falling off an aerial lift platform. Instead, they work by catching the worker as they fall. Harnesses also prevent sips and trips. While some aerial lift operators think of these safety tools as a hindrance, others believe theyre real lifesavers. No matter where you land on the subject, its important to remember that OSHA requirements trump all opinions. Failure to abide by their rules could result in injuries, accidents, fines, and other penalties.
CertifyMeOnline.net believes that all aerial lift workers, as well as workers on the ground, are entitled to a safe working environment, and that includes enforcing OSHA requirements when its necessary to wear a scissor lift harness.
Do you need a harness in a scissor lift? The answer lies with the four elements of fall protection: fall arrest, positioning, suspension, and retrieval. Each of these elements is covered in detail in CMOs Fall Protection Training Course. OSHA doesnt ask that safety harnesses be worn when working from scissor lift platforms so long as theres an adequate guardrail system. Even with such a guardrail available, its important to take fall protection training seriously. Learning how to react to a fall can literally save your life.
Scissor lift safety harnesses remain a highly debated issue. Our training is designed to help employees foster safe working environments for their lift operators. Thats why we cover the following topics in our Fall Protection Training and Safety Courses:
The correct use of various fall protection safety devices
Safety devices that are needed and those that arent
Features and benefits of various fall protection safety devices
OSHAs requirements for using harnesses on scissor lifts
Guidelines for using scissor lift harnesses
In addition to fall protection training, we offer Class 7 vehicle operating training and aerial lift and scissor lift operator training. We also provide our Train The Trainer course, which is an ideal program for employers who want their businesses to have a safety coordinator whos also a certified in-house aerial lift and scissor lift trainer.
While scissor lift safety harnesses are undeniably useful, theyre only one component of a quality safety program. CertifyMeOnline.net offers comprehensive scissor lift fall protection training that pairs perfectly with safety equipment used on your jobsite. We can teach workers when fall protection devices are necessary and how to use them properly. Our 100 percent OSHA-compliant training covers it all.
With no books or materials to buy, students can begin learning right away. Courses are available online 24/7 from any device with an internet connection. In as little as one hour, participants can learn when and how to use scissor lift harnesses and other safety devices designed to prevent injuries. Its one of the best investments you can make in your employees.
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Still confused about when a scissor lift safety harness is required? Weve got you covered with our handy FAQ section:
Were often asked if harnesses are always required to be worn while operating scissor lifts. Workers are understandably concerned about restraints that might slow them down, while employers want to avoid potential penalties and fines by complying with OSHA scissor lift harness requirements.
OSHA harness requirements for scissor lifts were enacted to prevent falls and serious worker injuries. A OSHA memo stated the following: When working from an elevated scissor lift, a worker need only be protected from falling by a properly designed and maintained guardrail system. However, if the guardrail system is less than adequate, or the worker leaves the safety of the work platform, an additional fall protection device would be required. In addition, OSHA platform requirements guideline .451 (g) (1) states that any worker elevated 10 feet or more above the ground or a platform below shall be protected from falling to the lower level.
OSHA considers guardrails to be scissor lift fall protection, partly because scissor lifts, in OSHAs view, are considered scaffolding not necessarily aerial lifts. Assuming theres an adequate guardrail system in place, scissor lift harnesses arent required by OSHA, but for all other situations, a personal fall restraint system is mandatory. At CertifyMeOnline.net, its our opinion that fall restraint safety systems should be used whenever possible. Even when a there isnt a harness required on scissor lift, its a good idea to don PPE whenever possible.
The reason harnesses arent always required while onboard forklifts and scissor lifts is that their reach capabilities are far less than boom lifts, bucket lifts and other aerial lifts. These types of lifts are all used to raise and lower workers, cargo and equipment, but scissor lift platforms are larger and much closer to the ground than platforms on other aerial lifts and bucket lifts.
Sturdy guardrail systems are generally all thats needed to keep scissor lift operators from falling off the platform. We believe, however, that its better to be safe than sorry. If something unexpected were to happen while working from a scissor lift platform, only a secure PFRS would arrest a fall and prevent the operator from being injured by falling and hitting the ground.
Since falls are one of the leading causes of death in the construction industry, fall protection systems are usually required in some form. While OSHA scissor lift harness requirements are mum on exact heights, it can be helpful to look to fall protection system requirements. OSHA says that any job performed more than six feet off the ground warrants the use of a fall protection system.
Even when no harness is required on scissor lift, its a good idea to wear one out of caution. A harness and attached lanyard can provide a safety net for those working when no guardrail is in place, or when a guardrail is insufficient. Harnesses also come in handy when a worker needs to leave their platform. If youre hoping to avoid falls and other kinds of workplace accidents, its a good idea to go the extra mile with safety tools like harnesses.
When the platform is more than six feet above the surface and there isnt a sturdy guardrail system in place
When a scissor lift harness is required by the employer and is a part of the companys safety policy
When recommended by the scissor lifts manufacturer
When a worker leaves the lifts platform while its elevated
When its required under local workplace safety standards
Even when its not specifically required, always using a safety harness when working from a scissor lift is recommended as an extra measure of job safety.
If youre feeling overwhelmed by the decision to wear a scissor lift safety harness, youre not alone. Plenty of people feel confused by OSHAs requirements. Thats why we create a comprehensive training course for new and experienced scissor lift operators alike. If youre hoping to protect yourself and your colleagues from workplace accidents and injuries, CertifyMeOnline.net has the resources to help keep you safe.
In as little as one hour, your entire team can become OSHA-compliant. Enroll today, or reach out to our OSHA experts for additional guidance. Were always happy to answer questions and point you in the right direction. Contact us online or call us at (602) 277- now.
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