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Harness in Scissors Lift

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BattleCorp
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Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by BattleCorp »

Is a safety harness an absolute legal requirement when using a scissors lift?

My understanding is that there should be one if the risk assessment recommends a harness but otherwise it isn't a strict legal requirement to have one. Is this correct?
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by Lyle »

I found this on the HSE website -

Guidance on using a harness with a scissor lift is given by the International Powered Access Federation in their guidance note H10505 which can be seen from their webpage http://www.ipaf.org/en/publications/tec ... nce-notes/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It is not normally necessary for personnel working from a vertical lift to wear fall protection equipment, other than in exceptional circumstances. This would include: Scissor Lifts (SL) and Vertical Personnel Platforms (VPP).

The need for a fall protection system will be the outcome of a job specific risk assessment undertaken prior to work commencing and taking into consideration the manufacturer's operators' manual.

The scissor lift will have a guard rail on the platform and personnel should be working within the confines of this and not overreaching, thereby allowing the guardrail to act as the safety devise to keep the worker safe within the platform.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by BattleCorp »

Thanks for the reply. Much appreciated.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by WillPool »

Just to emphasise what Lyle has said

The straight forward use of a Scissor lift would not facilitate the use of a harness.

However when I worked at a steel erecting company they would sometimes have to leave the confines of the lift and be anchored.

If there is any chance they may step up onto the mid or guard rail, may lean out of the lift to work then a harness would probably be required.

As Lyle says, task specific RA will determine the hazards, risks, likelihood, probability and control measures ./thumbsup..

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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by bernicarey »

For much of my RAF career, we'd use these to get to top of tail fins for changing navigation lamps and such jobs; they were/are dual purpose as without a person in them, they can be controlled from the ground as a small lifting device to remove aircraft cockpit canopies, ejection seats etc.
We never wore a harness when up in them, even though they have a small extension arm, of about 1.5-2 metres; they were just as stable as a pure scissor lift.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by YoungNick »

For the majority of our works we have the following controls similar to what is above

Scissor lift- no harness/ lanyard unless person is going to be over reaching or stepping onto a rail.
Cherry Picker - harness and lanyard at all times to prevent any catapulting effect if ridden on uneven ground etc.

Earlier this week I had to stop a worker planning to use a harness and absorbing lanyard for use with a scissor lift! The worse part of it was he didn't even know the length of this thing which after a quick understanding of the work he was doing, if he had of fallen he would of hit ground anyway! Refresher training booked so not a bad thing in the end. So one to remember which any user of such harness and lanyard should know, ensure the lanyard is the correct length before using it.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by Brett Day SP »

On my IPAF course we were told scissor lift didn't need a harness during use but it was best practice to wear whilst driving particularly on rough ground. The quarry industry tend to go with that as to get out to conveyors/sorters/crushers etc., the ground, whilst within the capability of the machine is not the best.

Just reading the post above we were told always use a restraint lanyard NEVER fall arrest in mewps / scissor lifts when driving as a fall arrest lanyard will not stop catapulting but can deploy.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by frankie »

The answer to your question is NO.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by PaddyT »

It's a little concerning to me that anyone is considering wearing a harness if they have to lean out of the basket or climb the rail.

Surely if either of these have to be done to complete the task then a scissor lift is not the right equipment for the task.

In the event of an arrested fall whilst leaning out or climbing there is a high probability of the scissor lift being destabilised sufficiently to tip over.
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by Brett Day SP »

Paddy T another reason why we were told to use restraint rather than fall arrest so people could not climb up on rails in cherry pickers. If people are doing that is it the right piece of kit for the job?
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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by 2503col »

Hi,

Can I just ask. Where are clipping your harness when in the scissors lift?

I scissors lift is a safe working platform and has no anchor point for harness.

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Re: Harness in Scissors Lift

Post by Brett Day SP »

Our Scissor lifts had manufacturer fitted anchor points by the controls.
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