Do you need to Wear a Harness in a Scissor Lift in BC?
Do you need to Wear a Harness in a Scissor Lift in BC? The short answer is NO. Here's the rule
as per the BC Legislation. WorkSafe BC Regulation 13.33(1.1) states:
"Despite subsection (1), a person on a scissor lift, or on an elevating work platform with similar characteristics to a scissor lift, that is on a firm level surface with no irregularities to cause platform instability, is exempt from wearing a personal fall arrest system, provided that all manufacturer's guardrails and chains are in place."
Scissor Lift Operation
These platform lifts only travel in 2 directions when not moving on their wheels. They go up and they go down. Yet the higher you get, the more unstable it can become. A tall 40 story building will move from side to side a lot easier then a 3 story condo. The same can be said for all scissor lifts.
Articulating Lifts
However, just above the previous section states the opposite for Articulating Lifts.
"A person on an elevating work platform must wear a personal fall arrest system secured to a suitable and substantial anchorage point."
Articulating Lift Operation
These lifts are able to swing around in a complete circle. The future the telescoping arm in projected out, the faster the man basked swings in a circle. In addition, the basket moves on it own axes, and some telescoping arms even bend in different directions as well. Some Articulating Lifts are able to move in multiple directions all the while the tires are not rolling. But when they do, these units can get up some speed. The Genie S80 for example can reach 5.3 Kmh.
The Hazards when Moving
Coupled with the speed, the biggest Hazard when moving and one everybody has done, is engage the drive wheel while the telescoping arm isn't fully retracted. When in drive, every bump in multiplied at the basket, and this increases with every foot its extended out.
The Slingshot Effect
A 12-inch bump like you'll find on every construction site can toss the operator out of the basket and several feet into the air, before finally slamming into the ground. The slingshot effect. Furthermore, if the basket isn't lowered down and the arm isn't retracted fully, the unit can become out of balance very quickly when moving forwards and that same 12 inch bump or bigger is run over.
OHS Policies for AWP Operation
The OHS Policies for AWP Operation in Occupational Health and Safety manuals for every construction company I’ve ever worked for or who’s manual I’ve read all say the same thing. When operating any self propelled mobile aerial work platform (AWP), the operator prior to starting the unit must donn a PERSONAL Fall Protection Harness and tie off the engineered anchor point in the man basket. This goes for all Articulating AWPs as well ass all Scissor Lifts across the board. No exceptions. To disregard this policy means immediate disciplinary action. This could be a reprimand, a days suspension or even an outright dismissal.
Safer than the Regulations
Due to the fact these inhouse safety policies by companies are safer than the actual regulations, that means if an Occupational Safety Officer (OSO) for WorkSafe BC were to see an operator in a Scissor Lift who wasn't wearing a harness, and wasn't tied off top the appropriate engineered anchor, that OSO could apply penalties or their appropriate disciplinary action to the company for NOT following their own safety policy and procedures. You can not be less safe than the minimum standards, ie, the Regulations.
If You’re Safer
But if your internal system is deemed safer in principle, you better follow it, because that's what WorkSafe BC will question you one and possibly write you up for an infraction if you don't. The last thing a company want's it to be known for not following their own OHS program.
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