Different lifts have a variety of safety features, and manufacturers use varying terminology. Still, there are some specific safety features that will protect your employees and your products.
The following 10-point safety check will help you select the right scissor lift table for your industry:
- Safety bar or stop rail under the table for worker protection
- Check valve or hydraulic flow control system (prevents a sudden collapse in the rare case of a hose bursting)
- Maintenance/safety chocks for service access
- Ability to affix the table to the floor
- Limit-switch to avoid vertical over-travel
- Ability to perform visual check of oil flow
- Locked hydraulics to prevent lowering in case of an interruption in the power supply
- Maintenance-free bearings on pivot joints
- Does your application favour a foot or hand controls?
- If the lift is previously owned, have annual inspections been conducted?
There are other optional features that depend on the intended utility of the lift. Some have integrated power strips for additional lighting or to power tools, while others integrate plumbing for air hoses.
Prior to purchasing a scissor lift, take an inventory of the expected and potential uses. This will help establish which features are most important and will help safeguard your employees.
The final safety step is conducting annual maintenance to keep your machines in proper working order.
