All Courses Training Packages Enterprise Request a Quote
Industries
Construction Manufacturing Municipal & Utilities Oil & Gas Transportation Healthcare Office & Corporate
Course Categories
Safety Training Construction Safety HR Compliance HAZMAT & HAZWOPER Driver & Fleet Safety Workplace Culture & Soft Skills Healthcare & Patient Safety Environmental Compliance
Sign In
1-800-287-5942 Start Today Request a Quote
Create Your Employer Account
Home›Courses›Safety Training›MEWPs: Safe Operation of Scissor Lifts

MEWPs: Safe Operation of Scissor Lifts

19 minutesENSafety Training29 CFR 1926.451, 29 CFR 1926.454, ANSI A92.22
Quick Answer

MEWPs: Safe Operation of Scissor Lifts is a 19-minute online course that trains employees on the safe operation, inspection, and hazard awareness for scissor lifts as regulated under OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolding) and ANSI A92 MEWP standards. It is designed for scissor lift operators in construction, warehousing, and maintenance settings and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Scissor lifts are among the most commonly used Mobile Elevating Work Platforms across construction, warehousing, retail, and maintenance operations. Despite their seeming simplicity, they present serious hazards - OSHA investigated 10 scissor lift fatalities and more than 20 serious injuries in a single year, prompting the agency to issue a specific hazard alert. Tip-overs are the leading cause of scissor lift fatalities, often occurring when operators drive with the platform elevated, work on uneven surfaces, or exceed the manufacturer's load rating. Globally, the IPAF reported that Group A MEWPs (which include scissor lifts) accounted for 19% of fall incidents in 2024.

This course trains your employees on the safe operation of scissor lifts from pre-use inspection through task completion. Your team will learn platform load limits, fall precaution requirements, ground condition assessment, stabilization procedures, and the hazards of operating near overhead obstructions and power lines. The training also covers when and how to use fall protection equipment on scissor lift platforms and the environmental conditions that make operation unsafe.

What You'll Learn

  • Scissor lift hazard identification including tip-overs, falls, and electrocution risks
  • Pre-operation inspections of platform components, guardrails, and control systems
  • OSHA scaffolding requirements for scissor lifts under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L
  • Fall precautions and when personal fall protection is required on scissor lifts
  • Load capacity limits and the dangers of exceeding manufacturer ratings
  • Ground condition assessment and positioning for stable operation
  • Environmental restrictions including maximum wind speed limits for outdoor use

Who Needs This Training

  • Scissor lift operators in construction, warehousing, and maintenance environments
  • Retail and event setup workers who use scissor lifts for installations
  • Facility maintenance personnel performing overhead repairs and inspections
  • Manufacturing workers using scissor lifts for equipment access and assembly
  • Supervisors responsible for evaluating scissor lift operator competency
  • Safety managers tasked with developing MEWP compliance programs

Regulatory Background

OSHA regulates scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolding), specifically 1926.451 and 1926.452(w). Scaffolding violations ranked 7th on OSHA's FY 2025 Top 10 Most-Cited list with 1,905 violations. The ANSI A92 standards classify scissor lifts as Group A MEWPs and impose specific requirements for operator training, safe use, and site-specific rescue plans. Under OSHA, guardrails on scissor lift platforms provide acceptable fall protection, and additional personal fall arrest systems are generally not required unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise. However, OSHA does require training for all scaffold users under 29 CFR 1926.454, which mandates that employees be trained by a qualified person to recognize and control hazards. Serious violations carry penalties up to $16,550, with willful violations reaching $165,514.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA classifies scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds, not aerial lifts. They fall under 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L (Scaffolding) rather than 29 CFR 1926.453 (Aerial Lifts). This distinction matters because fall protection requirements differ. However, the ANSI A92 standards classify scissor lifts as Group A MEWPs alongside boom lifts and other aerial platforms, creating a unified framework for training and safe use across all MEWP types.
OSHA does not generally require personal fall arrest systems on scissor lifts if the platform has standard guardrails in good condition. The guardrails themselves serve as the fall protection. However, if the manufacturer requires a harness or if employees must lean beyond the guardrails, additional fall protection is necessary. Some employers implement harness requirements as a company policy above the OSHA minimum, particularly for outdoor or elevated work.
Most scissor lift manufacturers prohibit driving with the platform fully elevated. OSHA requires that scissor lifts be used in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Driving while elevated increases the risk of tip-over, particularly on uneven surfaces, slopes, or near floor obstructions. If the manufacturer permits movement while elevated, it typically restricts speed and platform height. Always consult the operator manual for specific limitations.
Most scissor lifts rated for outdoor use are limited to wind speeds below 28 miles per hour. OSHA requires employers to assess weather conditions before allowing outdoor scissor lift operation. In 2010, a fatal incident at the University of Notre Dame occurred when a scissor lift was overturned by gusts exceeding 50 mph. Employers should establish site-specific wind speed policies and monitor conditions throughout the workday.
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.454 requires that scaffold users be trained by a qualified person before use. Retraining is required when there is reason to believe an employee lacks the skill or understanding needed for safe operation. ANSI A92.24 recommends refresher training at least every three years. Retraining should also occur after incidents, near-misses, changes in equipment, or when an operator is observed working unsafely.

Related Courses

Employers with both scissor lifts and boom lifts in their equipment fleet should pair this with MEWPs: Safe Operation of Aerial Lifts to cover the full range of MEWP types. For construction crews, adding Scaffolding Safety for Employees provides comprehensive coverage of OSHA's scaffolding standards under Subpart L.

Safety Training

A Few More Back Injury Techniques (short refresher)

6 min - EN

$24.95View Course
Safety Training

Abrasive Wheels Grinder Safety (Gory) Interactive Training

7 min - EN

$24.95View Course
Safety Training

Absenteeism and Tardiness

16 min - EN

$24.95View Course
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

Need Help?
1-800-287-5942 Request a Custom Quote
$24.95
per person