There is a lot of conjecture about whether or not you need a ticket to operate a scissor lift in Australia.
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, before any plant is used in the workplace by any worker, the person conducting the business or undertaking (PCBU) has a responsibility to provide information, training, instruction to protect them from the risks arising from operating the plant.
Training is crucial for everyone's safety, including the operator, coworkers, and anyone present on site, particularly when using scissor lifts, which inherently involve risks. These risks include falling from heights, tipping over, electrocution, entanglement, and crushing.
The best way to avoid these risks and get the right training is to complete a training course with a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), either:
RIIHAN301E - Operate elevating work platform nationally recognised unit of competency, or
Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA) Yellow Card.
The Operate EWP unit of competency, and EWPA Yellow Card not only covers scissor lifts, but can also cover other types of EWP, with the following machine classes:
SL - scissor lifts of any height
BL - boom lifts under 11m
VL - vertical lifts
TL - boom type trailer lifts under 11m (optional)
WHS Regulation - Duty to ensure worker has been trained
The requirement for information, training, instruction and supervision is included in the WHS Act section 19 - Primary duty of care and the WHS Regulation section 39 - Provision of information, training and instruction.
The WHS Act requires that a PCBU ensure, so far as reasonably practicable, provide information, training, instruction to protect all persons from risks to their health and safety arising from the use of plant.
Where there is a risk to health and safety from a fall by a person from one level to another the WHS Regulation section 78 - Management of risk of falls and WHS Regulation section 79 - Specific requirements to minimise risk of falls requires specific control measures to be implemented, where it is reasonably practicable to do so.
The Workplace Health and Safety Queensland Managing the risks of plant in the workplace Code of Practice and Managing the risk of falls at workplaces Code of Practice provide guidance to achieving the standards of health, safety and welfare including information about the use of EWPs.
What does scissor lift training include?
Scissor lift training can be completed in 1 day and covers the theory and practical use of scissor lifts including:
hazards, environmental issues, risks and control measures
emergency procedures, PPE, communication and coordination activities
pre start and post start inspections and checks in line with Australian Standards and workplace procedures
operating elevating work platform and using safety devices
stabilising the elevating work platform
monitoring hazards and risks to ensure safety of all people, plant and equipment
responding to monitoring systems and alarms
shutting down equipment in line with workplace procedures
checking cleaning, maintaining and storing EWPs
The theory component of the course involves learning about the types of elevating work platforms, their characteristics, technical capabilities and limitations, as well as key policies, procedures and relevant standards for operating elevating work platforms.
The practical component involves students operating elevating work platforms safely, effectively and efficiently following legislative requirements and workplace procedures to carry out work activities.
Keep in mind, if the scissor lift you hire is different from the models used in training, then on site familiarisation is critical because there can be significant differences in the controls and design. Everyone using the scissor lift should be trained and make sure they know safety and emergency procedures.
Also please note, if you are using any boom type elevating work platform which has the capacity to go over 11m in reach, you must hold a different licence. This includes any boom lift, truck mounted boom, or trailer mounted boom over 11m, even if you are operating them under the maximum height, you are still required to hold a High Risk Work Licence WP.
The TLILIC0005 - Licence to operate a boom-type elevating work platform (boom length 11 metres or more) course provides the formal training and accredited assessment which will allow you to apply for a Queensland HRW Licence WP for Boom Type Elevating Work Platform over 11m. Read more about our EWP Boom over 11m course for HRWL WP.
What are the risks when using scissor lifts?
Remember! As long as operators are properly trained in the safe use of the equipment and are aware of hazards in the area, scissor lifts can be a safe and reliable way of working at heights.
Training is required so that the following risks are avoided when operating a scissor lift.
1. Falling from heights - Operators can fall from the platform
2. Tip-overs or collapse - Scissor lifts can tip over if not used on level ground or if overloaded
3. Electrocution - Contact with overhead power lines can cause electrocution
4. Entanglement and crushing - Loose clothing or body parts can get caught in the lift mechanisms
To avoid these risks, make sure you are properly trained by a reputable RTO.
HiReach Training offers 1 day EWP Yellow Card operator course which includes both:
RIIHAN301E - Operate elevating work platform nationally recognised unit of competency, and
EWPA Yellow Card
We also offer this course as a combined course which includes Working Safely at Heights in our 1 day Heights + EWP Yellow Card training course.
Read our related articles on licencing for Elevating Work Platforms: