Essential Tips for Exploring Scissor Lifts Safely in 2025

Scissor lifts have become indispensable tools for working at height across construction, facilities management, and industrial environments in the United Kingdom. As projects grow more complex and schedules remain tight, it can be tempting to rush setup and operation. Yet safe and thoughtful use of these platforms remains critical to preventing falls, collisions, and equipment damage.

In 2025, UK duty holders must continue to meet legal responsibilities under regulations such as the Work at Height Regulations, Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations. Beyond legal compliance, good practice means selecting the right machine for each task, ensuring operators are competent, and taking account of environmental and site specific factors.

Choosing the right scissor lift model

Selecting the right scissor lift model begins with a clear understanding of the job. Consider the maximum working height required, the number of people and tools on the platform, and whether the work is indoors, outdoors, or both. Manufacturer data will specify safe working load, platform size, and maximum height; these limits must not be exceeded.

Indoor work often favours electric scissor lifts with non marking tyres and low emission operation, particularly in warehouses and retail spaces. Outdoor work, especially on uneven or unfinished ground, may require rough terrain models with four wheel drive, stabilisers, and higher ground clearance. Always ensure the lift is suitable for the surface it will operate on and that the ground can support the total weight of the machine and load.

It is also important to match the lift to access constraints. Narrow aisle models may be necessary in racking systems, while wider platforms can improve productivity on open facades. Before selecting any model, carry out a risk assessment and confirm that the chosen machine complies with relevant UK and European standards and has up to date inspection and maintenance records.

Key safety practices on site

Safe operation on site starts with a pre use inspection. Operators should check guardrails, gates, platform controls, tyres, hydraulic systems, emergency stop buttons, and any safety devices for damage or malfunction. Any defect should be reported and the machine taken out of service until repaired and verified as safe.

Once in use, guardrails must remain in place and access gates properly closed. Standing on guardrails or using improvised steps or ladders on the platform is dangerous and not acceptable practice. Loads should be evenly distributed and kept within the rated capacity, including the combined weight of people, tools, and materials.

Ground conditions deserve close attention. The lift should never be used on soft, unstable, or steeply sloping terrain unless it is specifically designed for such use and set up according to manufacturer instructions. Exclusion zones can help prevent vehicles or other plant from striking the base of the machine. The work area above and around the platform should be checked for obstructions, overhead structures, and power lines, with safe distances maintained at all times.

Training and operator preparedness

Competent operators are central to safe scissor lift use. In the UK, employers are expected to provide appropriate training and ensure that only trained and authorised individuals operate powered access equipment. Training should cover both general principles of safe use and the specific model in operation, including familiarisation with its controls and safety systems.

Formal training courses provided by recognised bodies can help operators understand legislation, risk assessment, emergency procedures, and practical operating techniques. However, training alone is not enough. Employers should maintain up to date records, provide supervised practice where necessary, and periodically refresh knowledge, particularly when new equipment or attachments are introduced.

Preparedness also involves planning for emergencies. Every site using scissor lifts should have a clear rescue plan that allows a person to be brought down quickly and safely if they become incapacitated or if the lift malfunctions at height. All relevant staff, not just operators, should know how to use ground controls and emergency lowering systems. Fatigue, impairment by substances, or medical conditions that affect balance or reaction time should be considered before allowing anyone to operate a lift.

Environmental and usage considerations

Environmental and usage conditions can change rapidly and have a major impact on safety. Wind is a particular concern outdoors. Each scissor lift has a specified maximum wind speed; operating beyond that limit increases the risk of instability or overturning. Operators should consult the manufacturer guidance and use an anemometer or local forecast to monitor wind conditions, stopping work if limits are approached.

Weather affects ground bearing capacity too. Rain, frost, or thawing conditions can soften soil or unfinished surfaces, undermining stability. The area beneath and around the lift should be inspected regularly, and outriggers or stabilisers used where provided and required. Standing water, ice, and debris can also create slip risks when stepping on or off the platform.

Indoors, ventilation is a key consideration. Electric scissor lifts are often preferred in warehouses, shopping centres, and public buildings because they produce no exhaust emissions at point of use. Noise levels may also matter where work is carried out close to occupied areas. Operators should be aware of fire evacuation routes, overhead sprinklers, and other building systems that could be affected by the platform.

Usage planning should take into account traffic flows on site. Coordinating routes for forklifts, delivery vehicles, and pedestrians reduces the risk of collision. Visual signals such as barriers, warning signs, and flashing beacons on the lift can further improve visibility. Where the public may be present, such as in retail or transport hubs, clear segregation between the work zone and public areas is essential.

A structured approach that considers environment, equipment capability, and human factors helps ensure that scissor lifts remain a safe and efficient solution for work at height.

In summary, safe scissor lift use in 2025 depends on more than simply having access to modern equipment. It requires thoughtful selection of suitable models, disciplined adherence to on site safety practices, thorough training and preparedness of operators, and continuous attention to environmental and usage conditions. When these elements are combined, organisations in the United Kingdom can use scissor lifts to carry out work at height while maintaining a strong focus on the protection of workers and those around them.