Access In Action - August 2016

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