Fall Protection: Aerial & Scissor Lifts

Fall protection: what you should know about aerial and scissor lifts

OSHA and ANSI’s safety standards for scissor lift fall protection have changed over the years, and you might be wondering what that means for you. Being thrown from a boom lift seems much more likely, so scissor lifts can seem safer by comparison. However, complacency is a big danger on construction sites and in warehouses. 

Conforming to OSHA’s standards may be a learning curve for your team, but the safety of your team depends on following these standards. OSHA recommends wearing a scissor lift harness in the following situations: 

  • When the platform is more than six feet above the ground and not protected by an adequate guardrail system.
  • When a scissor lift harness is required by a company’s, employer’s, or local government’s safety policies. 
  • When recommended by the scissor lift manufacturer. 
  • When a worker steps outside of the platform while it’s elevated. 

Even when it’s not required, using a safety harness adds an extra measure of safety and is worth any associated hassle. 

Interested in renting or purchasing a scissor lift? Need maintenance for your scissor lift or scissor lift operator training? Contact us!

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in October 2017. We updated it for freshness, accuracy, and comprehensiveness in February 2023.


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Hugg & Hall Equipment Company is a comprehensive equipment provider offering services and expertise in the rental, sales, parts and service markets. The company offers a wide variety of equipment options for rent and purchase, including: material handling equipment (forklifts, pallet jacks, etc.), heavy equipment, mobile elevating work platforms (boom lifts, scissor lifts), air compressors, generators and more. Hugg & Hall Equipment Company offers industry-leading equipment brands for purchase or rental, like: Toyota, Bobcat, Crown, Taylor, Doosan, JLG and others. With value-added services and a focus on their customers, Hugg & Hall Equipment Company is the one-stop shop for every construction and industrial equipment need.