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Just Imagine! Can a machine designed for efficiency and utility suddenly turn into a machine of disaster?
From large-scale construction sites to small workplaces, scissor lifts serve as silent workhorses, helping employees reach towering heights and inaccessible corners. But these useful machine transform into great hazards when misused or inadequately maintained.
This scissor lift accidents blog is not meant to frighten you but to bring forth scissor lift hazards, control measures, rigorous training, and diligent maintenance in your daily practices.
What are Scissor Lifts?
A scissor lift is considered an important machine among all other construction site machinery. Scissor lifts are platforms that help workers move up and down using crisscross support.
Scissor lifts are useful in both outdoors and indoors. It is used to elevate people to different heights in order to accomplish a range of work-related tasks, such as
- painting
- changing lights
- replacing or fixing signs
- drywall installation
- maintenance
Scissor lifts act as portable scaffolds that transport employees, tools, and a few lightweight supplies. Their ability to lift heavy objects is typically restricted.
Scissor lift weight limit
The weight limit of the scissor lift totally depends on its type or model. Scissor lift platforms can carry weights ranging from 500 to 2,000 lbs. In addition to weight capacity, selecting the wrong machine size, height, or capacity can lead to serious consequences.
Scissor Lift Accident Statistics
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), 1,380 workers had injuries from an aerial lift or scissor lift between 2011 and 2014. Falling from one level to another when slipping, tripping, or falling caused 360 injuries.
How many scissor lift deaths per year? Recent statistics show that an average of 20-30 deaths are caused by aerial and scissor lifts annually. Eighty-seven workers lost their lives between 2011 and 2014 as a result of using these machines. Slips and falls from one level to another were the main cause of 48 fatalities.
What are the Causes of Scissor Lift Accidents?
Scissor lift accident can occur due to various reasons, ranging from operator error to mechanical failure. Some common causes include:
Tip over or collapse: Due to severe weather and uneven surfaces, the equipment frequently tips over. The entire machine can topple over and fall if the load is not balanced or a worker leans out too far from the lift. Scissor lift tipping accidents can also occur due to mechanical failures.
Electrocution: A major contributor to accidents and fatalities involving scissor lifts is electrocution from overhanging power lines. It may result from improper attire, failure to properly examine the area for overhead electrical lines, or direct contact between an employee or a piece of equipment and the power line.
Manufacturing defect: Scissor lifts are used by operators to boost production, promote safety, and reduce costs, but they are only effective if the machine is properly working. Manufacturing defects in machines can cause life-threatening injuries to workers.
Falls: Fall accidents are the most common type of injury while using a scissor lift. When the lift becomes unstable due to bad weather or uneven surfaces, falls are most frequently caused. A scissor lift fall accident can also happen due to a tip over or when a scissor lift collapses.
Improper training: Workers should receive proper training, as accidents can happen due to a lack of training and clear instructions.
Struck by: Workers face a risk of entrapment when a scissor lift is positioned too close to walls, machinery, or other obstacles. The risk of entrapment increases if the worker is not attentive to their surroundings or if the lift is not properly positioned.
OSHA Scissor Lift Requirements
OSHA published a guide titled “Hazard Alert: Working Safely with Scissor Lifts.” This guide indicated that the agency looked into 30 accidents in a year, all of which were entirely preventable. FOf these accidents, 20 resulted in injuries, while 10 led to fatalities. Unfortunately, all these incidents occurred due to employers failing to address three critical safety factors.
According to OSHA’s investigations, employers’ failure to address safety issues with scissor lifts was to blame for most injuries and fatalities.
The three safety issues are:
- Fall Protection
- Stabilization
- Positioning
Utilizing a scissor lift safely requires performing routine maintenance according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, training employees, providing necessary personal protection equipment (PPE), and practicing safe work practices.
Injuries from Scissor Lift Accidents
Scissor lifts can reach heights and if something goes wrong, the consequences can be disastrous. Injuries are mostly severe because fall from height is the reason for most construction accidents involving scissor lifts. The injuries are as follows:
- Amputation
- Blood loss
- Soft tissue injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Broken bone
- Death
Accidents with scissor lifts can be life-threatening and fatal. You can suffer severe injuries that need expensive medical attention. You can lose your ability to work permanently or for a few weeks. These accidents can cause significant pain and suffering.
Scissor Lift Safety Tips
Workers must know how to operate scissor lifts and how to avoid scissor lift accidents. They need to use appropriate scissor lift harness and connect to the lift to decrease the frequency of fall-related injuries and fatalities.
Operators must receive proper training and follow safety procedures. The equipment must be frequently examined and maintained. Most importantly, the working environment must be carefully analyzed before using scissor lifts.
Operators must ensure there are no overhead dangers, such as live power wires, that might worsen an accident. They should never go beyond the load limit. Never drive on elevated platforms, and never go beyond safe distances.
Employees shouldn’t operate the equipment in heavy winds or on uneven ground to prevent scissors lift tip over accidents. Workers must ensure that the machine is ready for work and follow the instructions provided by the lift manufacturer.
When a worker is hurt at work, their employer’s workers’ compensation insurance may pay for their medical bills, missed wages, and other losses.
If you’ve suffered an injury while operating a scissor lift, it’s imperative to consult a scissor lift claim attorney to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.
What to Do After a Scissor Lift Accident?
Following scissor lift accidents, it’s crucial to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of all involved and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Scissor lift accidents may result in serious injuries. Get medical attention for your injuries; that should be your top priority. Report the accident immediately to your supervisor or the person responsible for safety at your worksite. Provide them with a detailed account of the incident.
Gather information about what happened. This can include taking photos, writing down details of the incident, and collecting statements from witnesses. Record the time, date, and location, and note any environmental factors that might have contributed to the accident.
If you’re an employee and were injured on the job, you can file a workers’ compensation claim. This provides benefits for medical care and a portion of your lost income while you’re unable to work.
To learn more about the legal information, contact a scissor lift accident attorney. He will help you recover the highest possible scissor lift injury settlement.
Liability in Scissor Lift Accidents
Liability in a scissor lift injury lawsuit can depend on a range of factors. Different parties can potentially be held liable, depending on the circumstances. Here are some possibilities that can help you understand the topic much easier.
Employer
Depending on the situation, your employer can be liable for negligence. You must prove that your employer’s carelessness contributed to the scissor lift accident in order to receive compensation. Scissor lift lawsuits typically arise from mishaps involving aerial lifts that are the fault of undertrained or careless workers.
Employee
If the worker uses the heavy equipment in an improper manner, he may be held liable. If the operator of the scissor lift was not following safety protocols and operated the machine under the influence of drugs or behaving negligently, he may be held liable.
Property Owner
If the property owner’s negligence caused the accident, he could be held liable. If the surface where the lift operated was unstable and the owner knew or should have known about this but failed to inform the operator or the employer, the owner may be held liable.
Manufacturer
Defective scissor lifts were extremely dangerous. If a scissor lift fails due to design flaws, poor manufacture, or other issues, the manufacturer of the machine may be held liable in a product liability lawsuit. In most cases involving defective products, a comprehensive investigation and expert testimony are required to determine what caused the accident and who is accountable.
Have you ever been caught in a scissor lift accident? If so, you can receive benefits from workers’ compensation. Contact a scissor lift claim lawyer immediately to file a lawsuit.
In conclusion,
The frequency and severity of scissor lift accidents highlight the critical need for rigorous adherence to safety measures. While this equipment is highly beneficial across various industries, it also presents significant risks. Proper training, regular equipment maintenance, and a safe workplace are essential for accident prevention.
It’s essential to remember that behind each statistic is a person whose life has been impacted, a reminder that every precaution we take in preventing scissor lift accidents is not merely a protocol but a commitment to preserving human life and well-being.
Let’s make a world where accidents are rare, and every worker can boldly say, ‘I am safe at my workplace.’ Because at the end of the day, safety isn’t just about preventing workplace accidents – it’s about safeguarding lives.
