Have you ever wondered why some plants turn out better products than others? It has a lot to do with the workers they hire, but it also has to do with the way they care for their equipment. If you keep your equipment in good shape, the products you turn out will be more consistent — and that is true in most any industry. Train your workers to keep the space around their equipment clean and clear. Remind them to lubricate their machines and report any abnormalities ASAP. As you read on this blog, we hope you gain a better understanding of industrial equipment, the care it requires, and related topics.
Adding one or more scissor lifts to your warehouse or construction site can help streamline the process of moving people, supplies, and materials around the worksite. But if you haven't used a scissor lift before, it's a good idea to sit down with your entire team and make sure everyone is prepared for the new addition to your daily workflow. Here's how you can maintain a safe work environment after adding a scissor lift to your company's available heavy equipment.
Create a Checklist That Imy s Followed Every Time
You can start things off on a good foot by creating a safety checklist and posting it near the scissor lift. Every employee should go down the list and follow the instructions before putting a lift to work. Examples of items that should be on the checklist include making sure the surrounding environment is clear of obstacles and that anywhere you take the lift is clear of anything potentially hazardous.
Create a set path that your scissor lift follows when moving from one side of the warehouse or worksite to another. Create markings on the ground to let other employees know that they should steer clear of these areas. You can use a spotter while someone is up on the lift, but you should never have an employee directly under the lift while it is in the air.
Test the Controls
Every scissor lift has various emergency buttons and protocols that can come in quite handy if something goes sideways. You should periodically check up on the braking system, test the emergency stop button while the lift is going up or down, and make sure that any emergency fail-safes like a sensor that cuts power when it notices someone under the lift are still working properly.
Regular Maintenance Is Key
For best results, get all of your heavy equipment including your scissor lifts inspected by a professional at least once a year or more often with frequent use. Properly balancing the fluid levels and inspecting any moving parts will help reduce wear and tear and help you notice a problem that could lead to a safety issue before it becomes severe. This is also a good time to test things like any alarms or lighting on the device.
Don't Keep an Old Scissor Lift Around
If you have an old scissor lift that is no longer getting the job done efficiently or safely, take it out of operation immediately. Contact a firm that offers scissor lifts for sale for more information.