11.08.2015
What do you think?
A reader has sent us a picture of a scissor lift on a suspended block and beam floor and asked the question – Death Wish or not?
The 32ft electric Skyjack SJIII 4632 scissor lift is positioned on a narrow section of block and beam floor on a sheet of plywood.
In the words of our correspondent: “2.5 tonne scissor lift being used on a block and beam floor on a sheet of plywood and sitting right on edge. Death Wish or not?”
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The scissor lift on an upper floor and close tot he edge
Weighing 2,302kg, one would hope the operator has given thought to the point loadings, especially with the additional weight of the people and equipment in the platform – up to 318kg – and the transfer effects of a load on the extended 1.5 metre deck extension. However, with relatively close spaced beams, and the spreading effect of the plywood that would not seem to be the major issue.
The greater risk would be inadvertent operation of the steering/driving controls while working right on the edge on the building – note the position of the steered wheels – with a substantial drop off.
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What do you think – Death Wish or not?
Opinions welcomed.
Having seen this report, the owner of the machine - UK rental company AFI - immediately called to say that is was naturally unaware of how this machine was being used. But as in every case where it sees, or is shown a example of bad or questionable practice with one of its machines, it is contacting the client in order to draw their attention to the potential risks that might be involved etc and to see if it might be able help improve on site safety and good practice when using aerial lifts.
Kevin Morris
Thank you for your opinions. I refer to LOLER 98 with regards to planning lifting operations below:
The Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) place a legal duty on employers, to ensure the safety of all lifting operations and lifting equipment in order to prevent the risk of injury.
Lifting Operations
Any operation concerned with the lifting or lowering of a load, as a single lift or as a series of lifts.
Load
A load is defined as any item, material, people or animals or combination of that is lifted/lowered by the
lifting equipment.
Lifting Equipment
Is defined as being any equipment used at work for lifting or lowering loads, including attachments used for
anchoring, fixing or supporting the load. Such a definition covers a wide range of equipment including:
• Cranes
• Scissor lifts, Work platforms
• Fork lift trucks, Tele-handlers
• Passenger, Goods lifts, DDA platform lifts
• Mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs Cherry pickers)
• Vehicle inspection platform hoists
• Vehicle tail lifts
• Garage jacks
• Pallet trucks (walk along or ride on or manual operated)
• Agricultural lifting equipment such as front-end loaders
• Vacuum lifting cranes
• Hoists
• Dumb waiters
• Bath hoists
• Patient hoists (including bed lifts)
Kind Regards,
Kevin Morris.
Gideon
Personnel lifts have pilot pressure locking valves on their hydraulic cylinders to protect against hose burst, and do not rely on single point of failure wire ropes.
Commercial floor loading limit is 2.5kN/m2, domestic 1.5kN/m2, and a rigid chassis could put all its weight on just two diagonally opposite wheels. Getting close to the limit in many ways!
Eric L
To Kevin
I can't really agree with the comparing cranes and EWPs, for 1 simple reason.
A crane has an operator, who's job is to specialise in the operation of that machine.
An EWP operator is an anyone? A builder, plumber, roofer, anyone. Operating the EWP is not his trade, it's just another tool for him/her to do their job.
As for the photo, I woudn't think the plywood would do much to spread the load, but if done correctly, the job could be OK. Without the calculations on floor loadings it's impossible to say. One wouldn't want to mix up lift and drive functions though !
Kevin Morris
Lifting personnel in a MEWP is no different to lifting a load with a crane.It should be planned by a competent person, with control measures in place for the risks & hazards involved. Including an emergency rescue plan. Operators will carry out the instructions of the management as a rule. Why would the operator give much thought to the point loadings?
The competent person should have considered the risks when planning the lift in my opinion. What say you folks?
Kind Regards,
Kevin Morris.
AccessibL
A miss is as good as a mile... It's such a shame that everything has to be turned into a drama! There are bound to be skilled, experienced operators doing this sort of thing all over the place on a daily basis. I'd be amazed if the operators on what looks like a new-build site (judging by the open sides and the cleanliness of everything)had not both done this before, and know what they're doing. I can't see why inadvertent operation would be a problem. As a general rule, people don't drive into walls or windows, or off pathways or bridges etc if they've got the competency and the guts for going for it. And this picture looks like a skilful operator! I wouldn't try it!