issues involving the use of this equip-ment, the general industry regulations do not specifically address scissor lifts. The Agency says, however, that a scissor lift is a type of work platform and, therefore, is a scaffold.

In a letter, dated Au-gust 1, 2000, OSHA says that if the scissor lift has guardrails that

meet OSHA requirements that is all that is required for fall protection. In other words, employees do not have to tie-off in a scissor lift if it has guardrails.

OSHA further addresses this issue in a Letter of Interpretation dated July 21, 1998, which says:

“In regards to your specif-ic question, when working from an elevated scissor lift (ANSI A92.6 series), a worker need only be protected from falling by a properly designed and maintained guardrail

system. However, if the guardrail system is less than adequate, or the worker leaves the safety of the work platform, an additional fall protection device would be re-quired. The general scaf-folding fall protection pro-vision found in 1926.451(g)(1)(vii) reads in part, “for all scaffolds not otherwise specified in this section, each employee shall be pro-tected by the use of per-sonal fall arrest systems or guardrails systems.”

What are the Hazards? 

According to OSHA, the hazards associated with scissor lifts include:

The lift falling over or a worker slipping off the platform if the lift is:

Used during bad weather or high winds;

Positioned on soft or uneven ground, or on weak utility covers (e.g., underground sprinkler valve boxes);

Scissor Lift Safety Scissor Lift Safety ….

1

Safety Focus: Eye Protection …………

3

Be Prepared for Floods ……………..

4

(continued on page 2)

April 2013 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Volume 3, Issue 4

Inside this issue:

At Putnam City Schools, we are at the head of our class as far as working together towards a common goal...developing students to be the best that they can be.

We need to be proactive in maintaining a safe physical and emotional atmosphere for our students. As a Putnam City School District employee, you play an important part in helping us achieve this.

Whatever role you play within our school system, we want to thank you for doing your part to making our school system a leader.

When it comes to perform-ing work at elevated heights, a versatile piece of equipment that is often-times used is a scissor lift — a portable, hydraulic-powered lift with a plat-form that can be raised into the air directly above the base.

What you may not know is how dangerous scissor lifts can be if used or set up im-properly. Common types of hazards are tip-overs, elec-trocutions, or slips off the platform. Although OSHA has answered many ques-tions regarding the safety

Overloaded with heavy objects;

Used with guardrails removed;

Driven over uneven, unstable ground, or surfaces in poor condition with the lift in an elevated position;

Used with brakes that are not proper-ly set; or

A worker being electrocuted if the lift makes contact with electrical lines.

How Can Hazards Be 

Reduced? 

Whether a scissor lift is used indoors or outdoors, you must follow safe work practices.

Scissor Lift Safety (continued from page 1)  

Page 2 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. April 2013

Test, inspect, and maintain scissor lifts according manufacturer recommendations; and

Report problems and malfunctions.

Inspections 

While OSHA addresses the inspection of various scaf-fold types under 1910.28, nowhere in the standard (or any other general industry standard) are scissor lifts mentioned. So, while “General requirements for all scaffolds” under 1910.28(d) may be applica-ble, specific inspection requirements are not prescribed.

Although many scissor lifts are covered under OSHA’s scaffolding standard, there are additional sources of information that OSHA provides for guidance. These include:

ANSI A92.3-2006 (Manually Propelled Elevating Aerial Platforms);

ANSI A92.6-2006 (Self- Propelled Elevating Work Platforms); and

International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) training program for aerial and scissor lifts.

Employers are often focused on what fall pro-tection, if any, is needed when using a scissor lift. While this is vital to worker safety, it’s only one compo-nent to the safe operation of a scissor lift. Don’t fall for a false sense of safety. Ask yourself: 1. Is this the right size lift

for the job?

2. Do I have the necessary training to use the lift correctly?

3. Have hazards been identified that might impact whether the lift can be used safely?

Remember, improper set-up and use can threaten safety. Make sure that you know what to do to stay safe on a scissor lift.

You should: Inspect controls and

components before use; Select a work location

that: Has a firm and level

surface; Is away from holes,

slopes, bumps, or other debris;

Is clear of electrical power sources by at least 10 feet; and

Is clear of overhead hazards such as utili-ties, overhangs, etc.;

Operate only during weather conditions that are safe for use;

Move to/from work location with lift low-ered unless allowed by manufacturer;

Set the brakes and stabilize before raising

lift; Ensure the lift is not over-loaded; Receive training and follow safe work practices and manufac-turer’s recom-mendations; Ensure lift has a guardrail system; DO NOT remove guard-rails or stand on them for extra height;

Scissor lift accidents can be deadly.

Set brakes and stabilize before raising lift.

April 2013 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Page 3

Safety Focus: Eye Protection Eye protection is required by OSHA where there is a reason-able probability of preventing injury when such equipment is used. Employers must provide

protective equipment suitable for work to be per-formed and employees must use the protection. A Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) study found that about 60 percent of workers who suffered eye injuries were not wearing protective equipment. When asked why they were not wearing face protection at the time of the accident, workers indicated that face protection was not normally used or practiced in their type of work, or it was not required for the type of work performed at the time of the accident. According to the United States Eye Injury Registry summary report:

Each year more than 2.5 million eye injuries occur, and 50,000 people permanently lose part or all of their vision;

Ninety percent of all eye injuries can be prevented by using protective eyewear;

Males incur 73 percent of eye injuries;

Nearly half (44.1 percent) of eye injuries happen in the home;

15.6 percent of eye injuries happen in an industrial, factory, or office setting; and

Nearly 15 percent of eye injuries occur during sports; this is the most common source of eye injury among children age 5 to 14.

Workplace Eye Injuries 

Each day about 2,000 U.S. workers have a job-related eye injury that requires medical treatment. The majority of these injuries result from small particles or objects striking or abrading the eye. Large objects may also strike the eye and/or face, or a worker may run into an object causing blunt force trauma to the eyeball or eye socket. Chemical burns to one or both eyes from splash-es of industrial chemicals or cleaning products are com-mon. Thermal burns to the eye occur as well. Among welders, their assistants, and nearby workers, UV

radiation burns (welder’s flash) can damage workers’ eyes and surrounding tissue. In addition to common eye injuries, healthcare and other workers may be at risk of infectious diseases via ocular exposure.

Eye Injuries at Home Most people think that eye injuries are a workplace hazard. In fact, nearly half of the eye injuries that Americans suffer annually happen in and around the home from common everyday activities like mowing the lawn, cooking, cleaning, and do-it-yourself home improvement projects. Every household should have at least one pair of ANSI-approved protective eyewear to be worn when doing projects and activities at home. Around the home, the majority of eye injuries occurred in the yard (39.4 percent), garage (11.8), and workshop (8.1 percent). Yet in-home locations, such as the kitchen, family room, and bathroom also accounted for more than 34 percent of all eye injuries.

Inspection and Maintenance of Eye Protection 

Follow these tips to properly maintain eye protection: Keep the lenses of eye

protectors clean with soap and hot water, or with a cleaning solution and tissue.

Replace pitted lenses. They, like dirty lenses, can be a source of reduced vision.

Keep goggles in a case when not in use.

Periodically disinfect protective equipment. The most effective disinfecting method is to disassemble the goggles or spectacles and thoroughly clean all part with soap and warm water. Carefully rise all traces of soap, and replace defective parts with new ones. Swab thoroughly or completely and immerse all parts for 10 minutes in a solution of germicidal deodorant fungicide. Remove parts from solution and suspend in a clean place for air drying at room temperature or with heated air. Do not rinse after removing parts from the solution because this will remove the germicidal residue which retains its effectiveness after drying. The dry parts or items should be placed in a clean, dust-proof container, such as a box, bag, or plastic envelope, to protect them until reissue.

Keep your eyes healthy with the proper eye protection!

Page 4 © J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. April 2013

The mission of Putnam City Schools is to prepare our students to be responsible citizens and lifelong learners. It's a mission in which we are succeeding. For 17 consecutive years, Putnam City Schools has been selected as one of the top school systems in the nation as a recipient of the SchoolMatch "What Parents Want Award." SchoolMatch maintains information on every public school system in the country to help employees transferred by their companies find schools that match the needs of their children. Criteria used in selecting winners of the "What Parents Want Award" include curriculum, academic test scores, recognition for excellence, library/media services, class size and above average expenditures on pupil instruction.

Portions © 2013 J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.®

Portions © 2013 Putnam City Schools

Check out our website! www.putnamcityschools.org

Putnam City Schools

5401 N.W. 40th

Oklahoma City, OK 73122

rain. Floods can be local or impact multiple states. Flash floods can occur quickly because of exces-sive rainfall, a dam or lev-ee failure, snowmelt, or ice jams. Flash floods can appear as a wall of roaring water carrying rocks, mud, and other debris. Be aware of flood hazards no matter where you live or work, but especially if you are in low-lying areas, near water, behind a lev-ee, or downstream from a dam. Even very small streams, gullies, creeks, culverts, dry streambeds or low-lying ground that appear harmless in dry weather can flood.

Floods are the number one natural disaster in the United States, how-ever not all floods are alike. Some floods devel-op slowly, while flash floods can develop in just a few minutes and without visible signs of

Even if you feel you live in a community with a low risk of flooding, remember that flood risk isn't just based on history; it's also based on a number of factors including rainfall , topography, flood-control measures, river-flow, tidal surge, and changes due to new construction or devel-opment. Check if your home-owner’s policy includes flood insur-ance. An additional rider may be required for coverage. If you are under a flood watch or warning, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) rec-ommend that you:

Have a stocked emergency kit on hand and stay tuned to news updates.

If evacuation appears necessary, turn off all utilities at the main switch or valve.

Be aware of when you re-ceived your last tetanus shot in case of a cut or wound during flooding.

Fill bathtubs, sinks, and clean bottles with water. Sanitize the sinks and tubs first by using bleach. Rinse

Be Prepared for Floods and fill with clean water.

Bring outdoor lawn furniture, grills, and trash cans inside or tie them down securely.

If you need to drive in flooded conditions, re-member these points: Six inches of water will

reach the bottom of most cars causing loss of control and possible stalling.

A foot of water will float many vehicles.

Two feet of rushing wa-ter can carry away most vehicles including SUVs and pick-ups.

Do not attempt to drive on a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious and the road bed may be washed out under the water.

Do not drive around a barricade. Turn around and find another way.

Do not try to take short cuts. Stick to designated evacuation routes.

Avoid driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

“Well done is better than well

said.”

--Benjamin Franklin

American inventor and statesman