Skyjack Supplies Machines for NIOSH Scissor Lift Study

Enlarge Image SkyJack 3219

February 23, 2005 • As reported last year in Lift and Access 360, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) is focusing on a study related to scissor lift tipovers, and Skyjack, Guelph, Ontario, has joined the study by supplying NIOSH with the machines and components needed to perform the testing. The unit selected for use during the study is the 19-foot 3219 electric scissor lift, one of the most popular machines in the field.

 

According to Brad Boehler, P.E., product safety manager, Skyjack attended the public meeting last summer and sat down with Chris Pan, CDC/NIOSH project officer, to provide input on the protocol and help with determining a method for the findings. From there, the two organizations formed an alliance for Skyjack to provide the materials used during the testing, and Skyjack also will help NIOSH follow the standards and regulations.

 

Evaluations conducted during the study will consider the effects of changing centers of gravity on the stability of the machine. The testing includes:

 

• Developing and refining a computer simulation model;
• Building a workstation to statistically measure the center of gravity of the scissor lift at varying heights;
• Conducting tests to collect changes and interactions in the center of gravity and loadings of operator(s) on the platform; and
• Collecting dynamic response data for the lift during horizontal movements.

Boehler said he is uncertain when the results will be announced, but a team of about 12 people are working on the project.