Fall Protection: Aerial & 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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