What is a scissor lift yellow card?
This is a permit launched by the Elevating Work Platform Association (EWPA) stemming from a meeting carried out by its members and the trade. The EWP Operator License, or yellow card as it is known, is issued upon compliance of the industry-driven training requirement to provide the holder evidence of certain EWP training carried out. ‘Scissor lift’ is the common term for elevating work platforms.
The purpose of the training program is to help builders, equipment owners, and operators to abide by the Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) rules. The scissor lift yellow card is actually just one of the diverse training modules of EWP, which also has a transport segment.
Why is the scissor lift yellow card essential?
Working a scissor lift can be risky and can lead to accidents that cause injuries to people and damage to structures and equipment. For this reason, current guidelines assert that all people who work near or with a scissor lift must go through training and get a certification.
Non-compliance with this requirement only increases the risks and is in breach of workplace safety standards. On top of that, failure to comply can result in a jail sentence or getting a hefty fine. After all, all people, irrespective of the country they live in, have a responsibility for their workplace safety and health.
Scissor lift yellow card NSW course
A six hour, one-day training is offered at CS Transport Training, this course is offered for those who need to learn the skills of working on a scissor lift. The training period, though, may vary subject to the size of the class, which is usually 10 students at most, and the prior practice and knowledge of the students.
The only prerequisite to the course is that the students must be at least 18 years old. For those below the age of 18, additional info may be offered in the EWPA Restricted Yellow Card Guidelines. The cost of the complete scissor lift yellow card is $330 per student, which is due on the training date. If you plan to have a group booking or an on-site course, feel free to inquire about any discount that may be offered.
Scissor lift yellow card NSW training outline
Scissor lifts are work platforms employed to safely transport workers up and down, within diverse trades, adding in retail, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment. Scissor lifts remain high unlike aerial lifts for the reason that the lifting device moves it straight upward and downward using crossed bars functioning like scissors.
Although it presents hazards like a scaffolding when drawn-out and stationary, working on scissor lifts safely depends on taking into account the specific scissor lift potentials, drawback, and safe routines. And for this reason, students of a scissor lift yellow card course are provided knowledge and hands-on skills, as follows:
1. Conduct checks before and after working on a scissor lift
This is important because employers, through their employees, are required to regularly maintain their scissor lifts to ensure that they are safe for use, such as preventing the lifting device from collapsing. Operators must be familiar with the inspection and maintenance instructions of the manufacturer. This generally includes how to:
- Check and inspect components and controls before every use;
- Make sure that the guardrail systems stay in proper working; and,
- Verify that, once set, the brakes will keep the scissor lift in place.
2. Emergency procedures
Over just one year, OSHA investigated 10 preventable fatalities, and more than 20 avoidable injuries ensuing from various incidents concerning scissor lifts. The investigations of OSHA found that the majority of injuries and deaths are the result of employers failing to address issues, specifically fall protection, positioning, and stabilisation.
Employers need to have their scissor lift operators familiarise themselves with its process and the procedures required during an emergency as included in the manual coming from the manufacturer. This includes the manual pulling down control, besides platform controls, as well as emergency stops.
3. EWP operation
Employers, through their employees, need to evaluate the worksite towards identifying all possible dangers in order to properly select the most suitable equipment to use. Employers who use scissor lifts have to implement controls that tackle fall protection, balance, and positioning. And for this reason, only trained personnel are allowed to operate scissor lifts with the employers making sure that these workers display their proper use of a scissor lift. The safe use of scissor lift includes:
- Proper maintenance of the equipment;
- Following the instructions of the manufacturer;
- Providing training for workers, as well as the needed PPE or personal protective equipment; and
- Implementing safe work practices.
4. Fall arrest harness fitting, use, and inspection
Scissor lifts are required to have guardrails fitted to prevent workforces from falling. Workers must be trained to:
- Ensure that the guardrail system is in place before starting work;
- Stand atop the work raised area, never on the rails; and,
- Maintain work within reach to avoid bending over the side of the scissor lift.
5. Hazard identification, assessment of risks, and controls
Operators must ensure that the scissor lift stays stable without tipping over or collapsing. Some safe practices at work to ensure secure, stable conditions in using a scissor lift include:
- Following the instructions of the manufacturer, which usually ban moving the scissor lift in a raised position;
- Separate the lift or apply traffic control procedures to safeguard any other equipment in the work or travel area;
- Selecting work areas with firm, flat surfaces free of hazards that may cause instability, such as a very steep slope, bumps, holes, slopes, debris, or ground obstructions;
- Use the lift outdoor only when the weather conditions remain good. Take note that scissor lifts assessed for outside use are normally restricted to wind velocities under 28 miles/hour.
6. Identify secure operating parameters with the use of a data plate as well as manual
Positioning the lift to prevent electrocution or crushing hazards is critical for safe usage. Crushing hazards are present in work areas using lifts and can expose workers close by, even when not working with the lift. Also, scissor lifts pose the same crushing hazards as other vehicles and similar mobile gear at worksites. Employees need to know to be to be alert when:
- A running scissor lift is near any object;
- A running vehicle and a scissor lift remain in close operation; and,
- The lift passes below a fixed structure, like a support rafter or door frame.
Positioning the lift to forestall thermal burns, arc flash, and electrocution is crucial for safety when using one near working electricity lines. Since electric power can jump or arch from the line to the lift or operator, electrocution can happen even when neither the lift nor the operator touches the electricity line.
7. Theory assessment, besides practical observation, with a demonstration
Employers must arrange training for workers on hazards, as well as how to operate safely and working near lifts. The training must include the following:
- The instructions of the manufacturer for operating a scissor lift upright and while moving;
- How to deal with stuff on the lift, including load limits;
- Other hazards at the worksite that workers may come across when operating a lift, such as contact with electric wires; and,
- Reporting all equipment failings or maintenance requirements.
Scissor lift yellow card NSW
After successfully finishing the course, EWPA will record your training and that will entitle you to receive your EWP Operator Licence for a Scissor Lift, as shown below:
A pro tem EWPA training record will be sent through email to the students on the day of the completion of the training, which can be used of when working on scissor lifts pending the receipt of the yellow card.
If the yellow card is not received by mail within two months from the training date, the student should immediately contact EWPA. After two months, EWPA levies a $30 charge for sending out the card again.
Yellow card renewal
The yellow card remains valid for five years starting from the training or assessment date. When the end date of the yellow card draws near, EWPA will inform the holder of the yellow card that it needs to be renewed.
Renewal requires completing another training course. In this way, all holders of a yellow card are kept up to date in all matters of the safe use of a scissor lift, including any new regulatory and trade requirements.
CS Transport Training Courses
This company offers a wide variety of training on behalf of the transport warehousing industries in Newcastle, Central Coast, Mid North Coast, Port Stephens, and Hunter Valley. The company takes pride in having the finest, friendliest, and most knowledgeable trainers available to help students through their chosen courses. Known as a heavy vehicle driver transport industry training specialist, it offers the following courses:
- Bus Driver Authority
- Chain of Responsibility Courses
- Dangerous Goods Awareness Course
- Dangerous Goods Licence Courses
- Elevated Work Platform Licensing
- Fatigue Management Courses
- Forklift Licensing
- Heavy Combination (HC) Automatic
- Heavy Combination (HC) Road Ranger
- Heavy Rigid Truck Training
- Medium Rigid Truck Training and Assessment
- Multi Combination (MC) Automatic Course
- Scissor Lift Yellow Card
- Safe Load Program (SLP)
- Working Safely at Heights
For further information on the scissor lift Yellow Card, email chris@cstt.com.au, call 0434 366 758 or check out their website at https://www.cstt.com.au.