A scissor lift is a self-propelled work platform that raises workers and their materials to different heights. Scissor lifts are named after their lifting mechanism, which is typically a criss-cross configuration of tubes that move in a scissor-like fashion when the platform is raised and lowered.
The short answer to the question “can you use a ladder on a scissor lift” is no because it’s not safe. Read on to learn more…
Scissor lift with worker working while elevated. 2 March 2020. Original photo by Justinjkiss. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Why You Shouldn’t Use a Ladder on a Scissor Lift
If a scissor lift isn’t tall enough for the task at hand, you may be tempted to elevate yourself just that bit more by placing a ladder on the scissor lift’s work platform. Lifts and scaffolds are designed to reach specific heights; by adding additional boosters like ladders or step stools, you compromise the lift’s safety features, putting yourself in danger.
The safety features on a scissor lift usually include emergency stop mechanisms, user controls and caged platforms with guard rails. Using a ladder on an elevated scissor lift platform raises the worker above the guardrails that are in place to prevent falls from height. This means that if the worker were to lose their balance or the feet on the ladder were to slip, they would fall from the platform and the guardrails would be redundant.
Moreover, using a ladder on a scissor lift compromises the lift’s careful weight vs height distribution. By raising yourself higher than the lift is built to go, you risk causing the machine to tip over. Considering scissor lifts can weigh thousands of pounds, the impact of the machine tipping over can be catastrophic for everybody involved.
Scissor Lift Safety Tips
With falls from height being the leading cause of fatal injuries to workers (accounting for 36% of all worker deaths in 2023-24), it has never been more important to ensure that all workers operating scissor lifts are trained to do so safely.
Some tips for operating a scissor lift safely include:
- Inspect daily: It is essential that the scissor lift is inspected before each use, including every time a new operator starts using it. Ensure that battery and fuel levels are good, that there are no signs of damage or leaks, and that the controls, emergency stop button and other safety features like the guardrails are in working order.
- Check for hazards: The ground beneath a scissor lift must be flat and free of hazards. Workers should also look out for overhead beams, low ceilings and power lines.
- Avoid overloading: You should always consider the combined weight of the people and equipment operating on the scissor lift, and make sure you do not load the lift beyond what the manufacturers state as the maximum load. You should also try your best to distribute loads evenly across the platform to maintain the structure’s stability.
- Don’t overreach: Maintain three points of contact on the platform at all times and never reach over the guardrails with your upper body as this will cause your centre of gravity to change from the inside to the outside of the platform, potentially leading to a fall.
- Wear PPE: Hard hats, safety harnesses and high-visibility clothing should be worn while operating a scissor lift to help reduce the risk of falls from height and crushing injuries.
If you can’t reach the height you need with a scissor lift, do not try to add height using a ladder or step ladder. Instead, swap to a scissor lift that has greater reach, or switch to a cherry picker!
For more advice on ladder safety, check out our blog on Ladder Safety in the Workplace.
If you have any further questions about ladder safety, or about any of our products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch and a member of our team will be happy to help.
