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One of the best ways to reach new heights on the work site is with a scissor lift. Scissor lifts are one of the most popular forms of access equipment to hire at Hirepool.
It makes sense, given how easy and safe a scissor lift is to use. In saying that, like with any other gear, there are scissor lift hazards that you need to be aware of. And as an extension of scissor lift safety, there are also scissor lift regulations that you need to follow.
You might be asking, given the regulations, can just any Tom, Dick or Harry use a scissor lift? How do you actually work a scissor lift? And, why should you hire a scissor lift instead of buying one? In this advanced gear guide, we will unpack everything you need to know about scissor lifts, including the benefits and how to use one safely.
Here are the main points we’ll cover:
What a scissor lift is used for
The benefits of choosing a scissor lift
Operating a scissor lift safely
The range of scissor lifts at Hirepool
Let’s get into it!
Answering this question concisely is tough, given that a scissor lift is a very versatile piece of access equipment with many uses. Whether a small scissor lift that’s battery-powered or a larger diesel scissor lift, these pieces of access gear can be used on many work sites. Common industry sectors to benefit from using s scissor lift include:
These are just some examples. Essentially, a scissor lift can be helpful whenever you need to work high up.
Sure, we’ve spoken about the applications and benefits of access equipment in general, but why is it a good idea to choose a scissor lift over other access equipment? To start with, scissor lifts are a lot safer and take less time to set up than scaffolding or ladders. Here are some of the other key benefits of choosing a scissor lift.
The range of scissor lifts at Hirepool come in various deck sizes, whether you are one person working at height or you’re part of a group working on the same area. These large platforms, or scissor lift trolleys as they’re sometimes known, offer enough room for workers and gear.
Speaking of equipment and gear, a scissor lift also has tremendous lifting capacity. In fact, lifting capacity is often why people choose a scissor lift over a boom lift. The range of scissor lifts at Hirepool have lifting capacities of up to 1134kg. This is usually more than enough to safely raise a group of people and heavy equipment, even after you’ve had a big smoko!
Our variety of scissor lifts can reach a range of heights. From our small scissor lifts, right through to our tallest, which has a working height of 18 meters. When browsing scissor lifts, you may come across the phrases platform height and working height. Platform height is the height at which the platform can be raised. This can also be considered as the distance between the platform and the ground.
In contrast, working height is the average height a person can reach added on top of the platform height. This is usually about an extra 2 meters. Getting these two mixed up can lead to getting a scissor lift that’s too small or too large for the job at hand.
These are just some of the benefits of choosing a scissor lift. Given that you may not use this equipment all year round, you can save money by hiring a scissor lift instead of buying one.
For other money-saving tips, read our guide that asks should you hire or buy gear for your trade business.
Put simply, a scissor lift works by moving hydraulic fluid through to operating cylinders. These cylinders then push or propel the machine's scissor leg to split or push apart. As a result of this movement, the scissor lift trolley or platform is then propelled upwards. In terms of fueling a scissor lift, there are several options, including:
You don't legally need to have a license, whether you’re using a large 4WD scissor lift or a small one. However, Hirepool and EWPA (Elevating Work Platform Association) strongly suggest you do. Getting the proper paperwork is also a no-brainer for most tradies, as nearly all commercial job sites require the proper qualification.
Scissor lift regulations state that you should have the relevant unit standard through NZQA (The New Zealand Qualifications Authority). NZQA offers the only nationally recognised qualification that EWPA backs. Having this unit standard under your belt shows that you are competent in safely using a scissor lift and know how to look for hazards.
EWPA states that a harness is not mandatory when using a scissor lift, unless a hazard assessment shows a risk of falling. In saying that, at Hirepool, we believe you should always use one. When considering scissor lift safety, other personal protective equipment includes:
Wearing the correct safety gear can help prevent injury from scissor lift hazards and other hazards on the work site.
Like with any other equipment hire from Hirepool, you’ll be provided with instructions for use on pick up. In the case of scissor lifts, you’ll be provided with a using elevated work platforms safely booklet and the manufacturer’s operating manual. You must read both of these documents before even beginning your pre-start safety checks. When it is time to prep your scissor lift for safe use, pre-start safety checks and points to consider include:
When it comes time to operate your piece of hire equipment, scissor lift safety must remain top of mind. A scissor lift can be a complex and sometimes specialist piece of machinery, and each model will have different operating instructions for use. As well as following Worksafe guidelines, other safety considerations when operating a scissor lift include:
When not in use, it’s important that your scissor lift is parked in a safe spot that can’t be accessed by the wrong people. Never use this equipment if there is a malfunction, never exceed the wind rating for your given scissor lift, and always be aware of where the emergency stops are. If you need to refuel your scissor lift, make sure it’s shut down before doing so.
Top tip: The base controls can override the platform or scissor lift trolley controls.
Whether a cherry picker, knuckle boom or scissor lift, Hirepool has a wide variety of access equipment to choose from depending on the task at hand. We break our range up into general use scissor lifts and scissor lifts for specialists. Specialist equipment may require specific instructions or a special license to operate.
Whether you require a battery powered scissor lift for working on electrics indoors or a 4WD diesel option to work outdoors, we’ve got you covered at Hirepool. Choose from:
Similarly to our range of general scissor lifts, our specialist scissor lifts also come in either battery powered or diesel 4WD options. Choose from:
If you need a bit of direction, read out guide on choosing the right access equipment for your job.
The humble scissor lift is one of the most popular pieces of access equipment for a good reason. If you’d like more advice on which scissor lift is right for you, reach out to the helpful team at your nearest Hirepool branch.
Otherwise, you can book your equipment hire online to pick up when needed. If you need a trailer to tow your scissor lift, you can also hire a trailer from Hirepool. Read our guide exploring what trailer is right for your towing job for towing pointers. For more tips and tricks for tradies, check out our trade hub.
