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Lift Manufacturers

Does Your Scissors Lift Have the Proper Safety Labels and Is It In Good Working Order?

Ray Niemeyer
Managing Executive of LMPS &
Director of Knowledge Management - MHIA

Article by MHIA's Lift Manufacturers Product Section (LMPS)

In today's fast-paced manufacturing and distribution world, purchased equipment is not always properly maintained. The results can be costly! That especially goes for the scissorslift, tilter or scissors dock lift at your facility. This equipment is designed and purchased to take a licking and keep on lifting. A facility buys a scissorslift and places it into a work cell, conveyor system or at a loading dock to increase production, throughput, and properly position items to improve ergonomics and speed up the delivery process at their facility, all the while doing it safely.

Due to the rugged environment that this equipment is placed in, it is important to perform regular Preventative Maintenance (PM); but this rarely happens. This article is to remind you to STOP and perform the recommended preventative maintenance that is strongly recommended by the manufacturer, as stated in the owner's manual. Why should you do this? It is in your company's best interest to have a safe operating piece of ergonomic equipment at your facility? Contrary to popular belief, you need to stop and change the oil sometime.

Now that we have your attention lets take a quick look at the Preventative Maintenance check list:

  1. Can you find the equipments owners manual? If you can't, please go online or call the manufacturer directly for another copy. Do not, I repeat, do not perform any maintenance without first reading the equipments manual and follow all safety instructions. Pay special attention to the lift maintenance device engagement. You do not want the lift falling down on you.
  2. Next perform the recommended maintenance procedures per the owner's manual. For example, check for fluid levels and cleanliness, hydraulic leaks, wear and tear on all moving parts, and make sure that the lift base frame is clean of debris. Once you have followed the maintenance manuals check list make sure you perform the next step. This is a life saving step!
  3. Does your scissors lift have safety labeling on it? If so, does it have the proper safety labels to conform to the ANSI Standard MH29.1? Most likely not! The Lift Manufacturers Product Section of MHIA has developed an all important "Safety Label Brochure for Industrial Scissors Lifts" which includes full color references to twelve Danger or Warning labels specifically designed to comply with the ANSI Z535 series and ANSI MH29.1, "Safety Requirements for Industrial Scissors Lifts". Not all manufacturers are using these labels, but they should.

Why are the safety labels important? It is well recognized that in many instances, safety labels can increase operator and maintenance personnel awareness of the inherent hazards involved in scissors lifts. It is the user's responsibility to make sure that the manufacturers' safety labels are well maintained on the lift. The perfect time to do this is during the lifts Preventative Maintenance. As part of the lift user's comprehensive safety program, users of lifts shall inspect and review safety labels to insure their integrity and maximize their effectiveness in accident/injury prevention. For more details on this all important Safety Label Brochure go to the bookstore and get a copy. If your lift does not have these labels, call your manufacturer and request to purchase them. If the manufacturer of your lift truly designs their equipment to meet the ANSI MH29.1 "Safety Requirements for Industrial Scissors Lifts", then they can supply you with them. If they don't, then they are not meeting the requirements of this standard, and you should inquire with the manufacturer regarding their non-compliance. The important goal is to provide as much warning to the user of the equipment as possible to improve the safe operation and maintenance of the lift equipment. For more information about the MH29.1 Scissors Lift Standard and the LMPS members please go to the lift product section.