Scissor lifts and fall protection

[nhfire77]

I thought that a scissor lift did not require a harness if the railings were up and you did not exit the lift when extended?

I know they are required for a boom lift or articulating platform?

Does anyone have the OSHA reference?

I haven't had a problem, but a customer is requiring me to wear one with my lift on Their property, unless I can prove otherwise. It's not a bog deal, but in certain situations it is a PITA.

 

[iwire]

You are correct, scissor lifts are actually covered under scaffolding rules, no tie off needed.

 

[eric9822]

I agree with Iwire, OSHA does not require a tie-off when using a scissor lift. The companies rules may be different however. The company I work for requires people to be tied off when using scissor lifts. I am not going to debate the soundnees of the policy, I for one think it is dumb.

 

[nhfire77]

I'm not arguing with my customer either, but I'd like to show them the CFR.

 

[eric9822]

I'm not arguing with my customer either, but I'd like to show them the CFR.

Take a look here.

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=23874

It's a little old so you may want to dig a little further.

 

[cadpoint]

Here You can study this OSHA Regulations!

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/frame/fallprotection.html#General

and another nice letter stating, Scissor lifts are not aerial lifts, are considered scaffolds.

a partical of the second one link!

Question 2: Are employees required to be tied-off when working on a guardrail-equipped scissor lift platform that extends beyond the wheelbase of the lift?

Answer: No, neither ?1926.451 or ?1926.452(w) require employees to be tied-off when working from scissor lifts that have properly maintained guardrails.

Wear the jump suit. why are you trying to even question a client...
You will only prove that this will be your last job at their site, IMO!

 

[jeremysterling]

...and you did not exit the lift when extended?

And there is the sticking point.

I'm always climbing on the toe boards and midrails, sometimes even the handrails. Most people call that "exiting" the lift. If required by the GC or customer, I'll tie off. Most scissor lifts provide an attachment point for your lanyard.

 

[nhfire77]

Here You can study this OSHA Regulations!

http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/scaffolding/supported/frame/fallprotection.html#General

and another nice letter stating, Scissor lifts are not aerial lifts, are considered scaffolds.

a partical of the second one link!

Question 2: Are employees required to be tied-off when working on a guardrail-equipped scissor lift platform that extends beyond the wheelbase of the lift?

Answer: No, neither ?1926.451 or ?1926.452(w) require employees to be tied-off when working from scissor lifts that have properly maintained guardrails.

Wear the jump suit. why are you trying to even question a client...
You will only prove that this will be your last job at their site, IMO!

I am not questioning the Client. They have been under the incorrect assumption about the fall protection for about 6 months now. There were no requirements before, now there are. The reason was fall protection is required for lifts per OSHA.

I will gladly wear a clown suit at their site, as long as they pay me to do it. They want to review their internal procedures for correct OSHA compliance, which they just supposedly did, I like the idea of pointing them in the right direction on this one

 

[nhfire77]

And there is the sticking point.

I'm always climbing on the toe boards and midrails, sometimes even the handrails. Most people call that "exiting" the lift. If required by the GC or customer, I'll tie off. Most scissor lifts provide an attachment point for your lanyard.

I agree if you are standing on the top handrails, you have 'exited' the lift without a doubt, and you might even fall "exit" the lift that way too. (not that I have ever stood on those )

 

[cadpoint]

What do they say up there, "Forget about it..."

Finish your work and then state it, or not!

Beleive me, I know - I wouldn't even mention anything!!!

 

[jrdsg]

Our regs up here are more stringent

Our regs up here are more stringent

Anyone in a scissor or boom is required to tie off with an approved harness up here, and to be certified to operate the equipment. Some job sites may be more inclined to insist on this than others, but it's the rules.

Climbing on the handrails violates the manufacturer's instructions, which creates a violation. So does attaching anything to the handrails to support materials, etc. If you get hurt and you aren't in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions it may cause problems for you with your local Workers Comp authority.

The course I had to take was a full day, with a drivers' exam in the afternoon.

 

[Pavlovsky]

I thought that a scissor lift did not require a harness if the railings were up and you did not exit the lift when extended?

I know they are required for a boom lift or articulating platform?

Does anyone have the OSHA reference?

I haven't had a problem, but a customer is requiring me to wear one with my lift on Their property, unless I can prove otherwise. It's not a bog deal, but in certain situations it is a PITA.

1926 OSHA standards are a minimum safety regulation. Typically, GC's upgrade certain areas they deem critical--excavation, fall protection, crane rigging/lift, and electrical, etc. If you wish to argue with them, produce a letter of recommendation from the manufacturer--which is the designer, builder and only true safety consultant capable of defending or arguing their product design.

 

[TxEngr]

If memory serves, scissor lifts don't require being tied off so long as you have all rails and chains in place and don't start climbing on the rails. However at most places I've worked, we require being tied off in a scissor lift. This is done to eliminate confusion between scissor lifts and other lifts. The rule is always tie off if you're more than 4 feet off the floor in any lift. It doesn't get much simpler than that.

 

[nhfire77]

1926 OSHA standards are a minimum safety regulation. Typically, GC's upgrade certain areas they deem critical--excavation, fall protection, crane rigging/lift, and electrical, etc. If you wish to argue with them, produce a letter of recommendation from the manufacturer--which is the designer, builder and only true safety consultant capable of defending or arguing their product design.

I am not arguing with the privately owned company that is my customer. It is not a GC.

They started requiring the fall protection for their internal employees and contractor, and sited OSHA as the reason.

One of their internal maintenance guys asked me about it. I only asked here to get the facts for them. They will do whatever they want, and its fine with me.

I was not gathering facts to bicker with a well paying client. I reserve that for this forum

 

[WorkSafe]

We make our guys wear full harnesses in scissors lifts that were manufactured with the rated tie offs. If no rated tie offs, no harness. Most JLG's have the tie offs, however.

 

[iwire]

We make our guys wear full harnesses in scissors lifts that were manufactured with the rated tie offs. If no rated tie offs, no harness. Most JLG's have the tie offs, however.

How can they be 'rated tie offs'

Tie offs must withstand 5000 lbs, how is that possible in a 500 to 1500 lb capacity lift?

Would you also make your guys tie off on scaffolding as that is what scissor lifts are.

 

[WorkSafe]

How can they be 'rated tie offs'

Tie offs must withstand 5000 lbs, how is that possible in a 500 to 1500 lb capacity lift?

Would you also make your guys tie off on scaffolding as that is what scissor lifts are.

Negative. They wear the harnesses for fall restraint, not fall arrest. Fall arrest required 5000lbs. By code, they do not need them since they have handrails, but we put them in it anyways because we had problems with workers wanting to leave the lift.

 

[Pavlovsky]

I am not arguing with the privately owned company that is my customer. It is not a GC.

They started requiring the fall protection for their internal employees and contractor, and sited OSHA as the reason.

One of their internal maintenance guys asked me about it. I only asked here to get the facts for them. They will do whatever they want, and its fine with me.

I was not gathering facts to bicker with a well paying client. I reserve that for this forum

I think you get the idea. For your informational defense, site LOI-OSHA Standard Interpretations Dated 11-29-2005--Fall Protection requirements for workers on guardrail-equipped platforms.
However, the project site Authority--generally GC (or your company)--may upgrade a minimum safety standard anytime. Additionally, it really goes back the manufacturer regarding designed fall protection for work at height on their equipment.
Regarding the person mis-quoting OSHA Standards--no big deal. People make bad calls all the time. Better to err on safe side than conversely.