Equipment and Machinery Safety, Q&A

Q&A: Scissor Lift Inspections

Recently, we received the following question from a subscriber:

Does a scissor lift require a daily inspection and operator evaluation as part of the OSHA powered truck certification?

This was our answer:

Scissor lifts are covered under the OSHA construction rules for scaffolds. They do not fall under OSHA’s Powered Industrial Truck regulations (29 CFR 1910.178). According to an OSHA interpretation letter (August 1, 2000), “while there are no OSHA provisions that specifically address scissor lifts, they do meet the definition of a scaffold (§1926.451 – general requirements for scaffolds). Employers must therefore comply with the other applicable provisions of Subpart L when using scissor lifts. For example, since scissor lifts are mobile, the specific requirements for mobile scaffolds in the scaffold standard (§1926.452(w) – mobile scaffolds) must be met.”

1926.451(f)(3) says, “Scaffolds and scaffold components shall be inspected for visible defects by a competent person before each work shift, and after any occurrence which could affect a scaffold’s structural integrity.”

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