When I graduated from university and moved into my own place, the only house I could afford was right near a manufacturing plant. At first, I thought living in the industrial part of the city would be a nightmare, but it actually turned out to be fascinating. I quickly developed an interest in industrial equipment and supplies, and spent many evenings walking around the factories to get a better look at what was going on inside. Since then, I've moved to a quiet part of the city, but my interest in industry never waned. Since I don't have the luxury of being able to visit the industrial district anymore, I thought I'd do the next best thing--start a blog about it!
Construction maintenance will sometimes need contractors to work off the ground. Repairs such as damages to the ceiling and the roof need special access equipment. This equipment also comes in handy when you are working in a warehouse and need to access all storage levels. Scissor lifts are an efficient way to access and work on elevated parts of a building. However, their design and the fact that they elevate you to heights where accidents and falls are possible means that they should be used with caution. Here are a few important safety tips which you should have in mind when operating scissor lifts.
Clearing the Operating Environment
The first thing you need to do when handling a scissor lift is to clear the surroundings. You should also make sure that you place the lift a safe distance away from potential hazards. Avoid placing heavy objects on the platform as they might fall off and cause injuries and damages. Anyone else who is not operating the lift should stand a safe distance away from it. Finally, ensure that the safety buttons, such as the failsafe button, the emergency stop button and the brakes, are working properly before mounting on the lift. These are the features which will protect you from injury if the system fails.
Training the Operators
Another source of issues with lifts occurs when they are operated by incompetent and untrained people. If you are using the lift in a warehouse environment, you should make sure that you have trained the operators on every aspect of running the lift. Let all crew members get training on how to handle electrical equipment; finally, brief them on the manufacturer's instructions.
Regular Maintenance
The only way you can tell when a feature on the lift is failing is through regular maintenance. A comprehensive maintenance check is recommended every two weeks. The checkup should include determining whether the lift has proper fluid levels, ensuring the batteries are fully charged, and making sure that horns, brakes and lights are working. A professional should perform the maintenance checks to ensure that the lift is in perfect operating condition.
Scissor lifts bring efficiency to your warehousing and construction projects. However, you can only realise these benefits when you follow the right operational instructions. If your lift has incurred any damages, it is advisable to shut it down and have it completely repaired. Operating on a lift which needs repairs creates unnecessary risks and liabilities that you do not have to handle. If a lift has reached the end of its operational life, consider having it replaced.