Scissor Lift Accident Reconstruction

Scissor lifts are a useful, and often essential, piece of equipment for construction and maintenance operations. A scissor lift is a type of “Aerial Work Platform”, which is a broader term for devices that are designed to lift personnel to a certain height above the ground. Aerial work platforms in general can typically lift personnel to heights that would otherwise not be easily reachable. Scissor lifts are a very popular type of aerial work platform because they are relatively compact, and can lift vertically without taking up much external space aside from the footprint of the lift itself. All aerial work platforms are designed to lift personnel, and are not typically used for other payload lifting purposes (except in unique circumstances). Typically scissor lifts are suited for surfaces that are generally flat and hard, such as concrete factory floors or even hard-packed road base. Most scissor lifts do not have any sort of articulation built in to the drive wheels, reducing their ability to traverse uneven terrain.

Most scissor lifts are electric motor powered and carry large batteries within their chassis. Outdoor units can be powered with small internal combustion engines and may use compressed natural gas, propane, or even diesel as fuel. Typically the only components of a scissor lift that extend beyond the footprint of the machine are outriggers, which must be positioned properly to secure the base of the lift for increased stability when the lift is raised to significant heights.

Accident Reconstruction Services

Common Types of Scissor Lift and Aerial Work Platform Accidents

Scissor lifts and aerial work platforms are essential tools in construction, maintenance, and industrial settings, providing workers with elevated access to hard-to-reach areas. However, these pieces of equipment present significant safety risks if not used properly or maintained in optimal condition. Understanding the common types of scissor lift accidents is critical for injury prevention, litigation support, and forensic investigation.

Falls from Height

One of the most frequent and dangerous types of scissor lift accidents involves operators falling from the elevated platform. Scissor lifts can raise personnel to heights of 60 feet or more, depending on the model, making falls potentially life-threatening. Although scissor lifts are equipped with guardrails surrounding the platform, injuries often occur when operators are improperly positioned, overreach, or fail to remain within the designated platform area.

Key contributing factors to falls include:

Lack of proper fall protection or failure to use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Operator overreach while performing tasks
Instability due to improper surface conditions or uneven ground
Sudden platform movement or unexpected shifts

Proper training, fall protection protocols, and equipment inspection are essential to reduce the risk of falls from aerial platforms.

Crush and Pinch Hazards

Crushing hazards represent another common type of scissor lift accident. These hazards typically occur when the lift platform comes into contact with overhead structures, low ceilings, exposed pipes, or other obstructions. Operators may inadvertently raise the lift too high, placing the operator compartment or body in a pinch point.

Potential risks include:

Crushing between the lift and fixed structures
Trapping limbs in mechanical components
Injury from unexpected movement of the lift platform

These types of accidents underscore the importance of height awareness, pre-operation inspection, and proper training to ensure operators are aware of surrounding overhead hazards.

Equipment Malfunction and Mechanical Failures

While many scissor lift accidents are initially attributed to operator error or lack of training, equipment malfunction can also be a contributing factor. Common mechanical or operational failures include:

Hydraulic system leaks or failures leading to uncontrolled platform movement
Pneumatic system issues causing unexpected extension or collapse
Electrical failures affecting platform control systems
Mechanical wear or fatigue compromising structural integrity

Veritech engineers are experienced in evaluating the functionality of scissor lifts and other aerial platforms, including mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems. Proper maintenance records, inspection logs, and operational testing are essential to determine whether equipment failure contributed to an accident.

Role of Forensic Engineering in Aerial Lift Accidents

With extensive experience across multiple industries, Veritech’s team of Professional Engineers is uniquely qualified to investigate scissor lift accidents. Our engineers:

Analyze the mechanical and operational systems of aerial lifts
Evaluate whether maintenance or equipment failure contributed to the accident
Assess operator positioning, fall protection, and compliance with safety regulations
Reconstruct accident scenarios to support litigation or insurance based investigations

Our engineers have received formal training in the safe operation of scissor lifts and aerial work platforms, giving them the insight needed to combine technical expertise with real-world operational knowledge.

Contact Veritech today to discuss your case and receive expert analysis on scissor lift or aerial platform accidents. We offer a no-obligation initial assessment of your incident to ensure that you will benefit from our services.