When it comes to warehouses, workshops and manufacturing plants, it’s essential to ensure that processes move smoothly and efficiently. As well as having an efficient workspace, safety is a huge factor when working in industries with potential risk factors. Electric scissor lift tables are commonly found in warehouses, workshops and other industrial workplaces, but they need to be operated with safety and caution. Our blog is here to explore the reasons why safety is so important when using scissor lift tables, and how you can implement safe use when employees are using this equipment. To learn more, keep on reading our article. 

Understanding Electric Scissor Lift Tables

An electric scissor lift table is a type of lifting solution which is designed to raise and lower loads vertically. They are commonly used in industrial settings, such as warehouses, manufacturing plants and also other workplaces that need to move cargo between heights. Unlike a scissor lift, which is designed to move people, electric scissor lifts are designed to move heavy loads and cargo at various heights. 

Electric scissor lift tables use a scissor like mechanism, which is powered by an electric motor to lift the platform. This raises the platform with precision and care, allowing workers to move items between specific heights. 

Benefits Of Scissor Lift Tables

Scissor lift tables can be extremely useful for many applications. Read more about their benefits below: 

• Minimising labour efforts of employees
• Speeding up lifting tasks 
• Improving workplace productivity
• Preventing serious injuries 
• Low maintenance costs 
• Adaptable to different settings applications

The Dangers Of Improper Use

When operating such heavy duty equipment, and dealing with heavy loads, there is always a risk involved. When it comes to operating scissor lift tables, potential dangers include: 

While scissor lift tables can provide more safety for workers when being properly used, they can also cause serious injury or accidents when used unsafely. Some factors that can impact the safety of scissor table lifts includes:

• Surface – Using a scissor lift table on an uneven surface can be detrimental to safety, possibly causing it to topple or fall.
• Goods – Goods being loaded onto the platform with uneven weight distribution can be unsafe.
• Capacity – If the capacity of the scissor lift table you are using is overloaded, this can be a hazard.
• Surrounding Areas – When operating a scissor lift table, it’s important that the surrounding areas are also safe. This means operating away from power lines and moving vehicles.
• Training – Only fully trained employees should be operating machinery.

Safe Operation Guidelines

When it comes to safely operating this type of equipment, there are pre-use and operating guidelines to follow, to ensure that both personnel and cargo are safe. We’ve outlined some of the key guidelines to consider and implement when using a scissor lift table. Read below to learn more.

Pre-Use

Before going ahead and using your scissor lift table, you should be carrying out these pre-use principles to ensure safety.

Training

Training personnel is absolutely essential when it comes to operating a scissor lift table, or any kind of heavy duty lifting equipment. It’s important that all members of staff are aware of the hazards as well as the safety procedures. This is a preventative measure, however in the event of an accident, it also means that staff know how to properly respond.

Using The Right Equipment For The Job

When it comes to using a scissor lift table, there are many sizes and capacities out there. When lifting heavy duty loads or smaller loads, it’s essential to use the right equipment for the job. Before any lifting occurs, staff should check that they are using the right capacity and size scissor lift table for the lifting job.

Inspection

Visual inspections are another way to ensure safety ahead of use. Checking the equipment visually for any missing parts, loose screws or visible signs of damage can prevent serious injuries and accidents from occurring.

Operating Guidelines

Once you have carried out your pre-use safety procedures, there are serious considerations to make when actually operating your scissor lift table. Some things to bear in mind include the following.

Proper Loading Techniques

Proper loading and unloading techniques are essential to the safety of your staff and cargo when using a scissor lift table. Even though all employees should have had the same training, it’s still important that personnel are checking capacity limits and the weight of cargo loads.

Overloading the scissor lift table, or not distributing the weight evenly can be a serious hazard. Improper loading techniques and carelessness can cause your scissor lift table to topple, harming staff and even damaging cargo.

Following Instructed Guidelines

Each scissor lift table and piece of lifting equipment will come with its own set of instructions and operational guidelines. If staff are using different types of scissor lift tables, it’s essential that they are following the guidelines for each specific type of equipment.

Protective Gear

Staff should also be wearing the correct protective gear no matter what. When operating these types of machines, it’s essential to be wearing the recommended PPE, so that they can stay safe when using these machines.

Scissor Lift Table: Scissor Tables & More

Electric scissor lift tables are indispensable pieces of equipment for a range of industries, assisting with heavy duty lifting and other strenuous tasks. When used properly and safely, electric scissor lift tables can elevate your workspace or project, enhancing efficiency and workplace safety.

We offer a range of lifting solutions for warehouses and manufacturing operations. Our scissor tables and lifting solutions are designed to help you achieve the best possible results with ease. To shop our range of scissor lift tables and other lifting solutions, check out our products on our site. For further enquiries, feel free to get in touch with our team today to learn more.