Scissor lift safety warning following fatal overturns
HSE issues safety alert following five fatalities in Europe over past four years
A SAFETY alert has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to warn service and maintenance engineers and those in the construction industry who use or lease out JLG 500RTS and 400RTS scissor lifts, to make daily checks to ensure that safety critical components are working correctly.
The alert comes after five people were killed in three separate incidents in which the machines in question overturned. All three fatal incidents took place in Europe over the past four years.
In all cases, the oscillating axle which allows the machine to be driven on uneven ground with the platform in the transport position failed to lock when the platform was raised, and the lift/drive interlock system did not work allowing the platform to be elevated above 6.7m without the stabilizers being deployed.
Owners of both these types of scissor lifts are being advised to ensure that the oscillating axle lockout system and the lift/drive cut-out switches are checked for correct functioning (in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations) before the machine is next used and that users complete daily inspections and function testing of both elements.
HSE inspector Richard Clarke said: ‘Though this safety alert is primarily to warn those who own and use these specific models of scissor lift, and those with similar interlock systems, it should serve as a reminder to all users of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) that there is a need to regularly maintain, inspect and test the equipment. This isn’t just recommended by manufacturers but is also required by law.
‘Used as directed and with all the necessary checks, we continue to recommend the appropriate use of MEWPs as a tool to allow work at height to be carried out safely.’
A SAFETY alert has been issued by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to warn service and maintenance engineers and those in the construction industry who use or lease out JLG 500RTS and 400RTS scissor lifts, to make daily checks to ensure that safety critical components are working correctly.
The alert comes after five people were killed in three separate incidents in which the machines in question overturned. All three fatal incidents took place in Europe over the past four years.
In all cases, the oscillating axle which allows the machine to be driven on uneven ground with the platform in the transport position failed to lock when the platform was raised, and the lift/drive interlock system did not work allowing the platform to be elevated above 6.7m without the stabilizers being deployed.
Owners of both these types of scissor lifts are being advised to ensure that the oscillating axle lockout system and the lift/drive cut-out switches are checked for correct functioning (in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations) before the machine is next used and that users complete daily inspections and function testing of both elements.
HSE inspector Richard Clarke said: ‘Though this safety alert is primarily to warn those who own and use these specific models of scissor lift, and those with similar interlock systems, it should serve as a reminder to all users of mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) that there is a need to regularly maintain, inspect and test the equipment. This isn’t just recommended by manufacturers but is also required by law.
‘Used as directed and with all the necessary checks, we continue to recommend the appropriate use of MEWPs as a tool to allow work at height to be carried out safely.’
