Definition
A scissor lift is a motorized vehicle that has a railed platform which can be raised straight up in order gain access and perform work on areas that are difficult to reach.
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Purpose
- The primary purpose of a scissor lift is to provide a highly mobile means of reaching areas that are very high, such as ceilings in large airy buildings or the top of storage racks.
Size
- The size of scissor lifts can vary significantly, from small lifts measuring four feet wide to large lifts the size of a large car; small lifts are useful for navigating between tight aisles inside buildings.
Benefits
- Scissors lifts allow workers to perform maintenance and other tasks at areas high above ground level without having to worry about balance as they would while using a ladder.
Safety
- As with any device that allows for work at a high altitude, it is imperative to operate scissor lifts slowly and deliberately and never to move the lift while the platform is in the up position.
Identification
- There are several types of machines that allow workers to access high areas; scissor lifts can be identified by criss-crossing metal supports that elongate as the platform is raised.