What Is a Scissor Lift?

Name: OSHA Education Center Courses
Brand: OSHA Education Center

Two construction workers on a large scissor lift next to a new large modern building.

Ladders are not the only tools at your disposal for reaching a task above your head. A scissor lift can offer faster access and a more stable work area. Along with these perks, however, come additional safety and training points to keep in mind.

In this article, you will learn how these machines function, what tasks they are best used for and which safety practices matter most.

Defining a Scissor Lift

A scissor lift is a kind of mobile scaffold that uses a set of crossed metal arms that stack in an X pattern under a deck or platform. Most models use hydraulics to power the movement. The hydraulic system pushes the arms, causing them to extend in a scissor motion to raise the deck straight up. When the pressure releases, the arms fold back down and the deck lowers.

The way the arms link together helps stabilize the scaffold. As the supports move, the deck stays level the whole time. The base has a fixed footprint that neither widens nor shrinks, even when fully lowered or extended.

Although a scissor lift is mobile and powered, it is not classified as a powered industrial truck (PIT). When operating a scissor lift, apply the rules and procedures for scaffolds instead of forklift or PIT standards.

For a closer look at how to safely operate a scissor lift, check out this complete guide from the OSHA Education Center.

How High Can It Reach?

Scissor lifts come in a few common styles, and each one has a typical height range.

Compact electric: Have a maximum height of 19 feet or less.
Standard electric: Extend from 20 to 32 feet above the ground.
Large electric: Designs top out at a platform height of 40 feet.
Heavy duty: The largest lifts use diesel engines and rough-terrain wheels to extend up to 60 feet or more.

Designs become progressively larger as the maximum height increases. Compact models can maneuver in tight spaces, but lack the larger base and stronger structure needed to maintain a safe center of gravity at greater elevations.

Platform Height vs. Working Height

These two terms mean different things, but get mixed up a lot.

The platform height is how high the platform itself goes.
The working height includes a person’s height and reach while standing on the platform, which usually adds six to eight feet to the platform height.

For example, a lift with a 26-foot platform height gives you between 32 and 34 feet of working height.

When You Should Use a Scissor Lift

Use a scissor lift for jobs at moderate elevations when you need a stable, roomy platform and expect to move up and down in the same general area.

It’s a good choice when you need:

Vertical access with no need to reach over obstacles.
A steady platform.
Enough deck space for tools, materials or a second worker.
Regular elevation changes during the task.
Working heights up to around 50 to 60 feet, depending on the model.

Overall, these tools help you stay organized, safe and less fatigued by keeping tools and parts on a solid deck, rather than requiring you to balance on a ladder step or climb up and down frequently.

Common Jobs for Scissor Lifts

You’ll see mobile scaffolds anywhere crews need a steady platform for jobs overhead, especially when they can be driven straight under the task.

Building maintenance and ceiling work: Working with lighting, painting, drop ceilings, HVAC service, fire alarms and sprinklers.
Construction and finishing: Completing drywall, electrical rough-in, overhead piping and other installation tasks.
Warehouses and industrial facilities: Enabling high-bay lighting access, conveyor maintenance, rack access and building repairs.
Signage and installation: Changing signs, banners, wayfinding tools and large-format graphics.
Events and production: Adjusting lighting rigs, audio, trusses, cable runs and decor setups.

These are some of the most common uses, and they all share one need: steady, vertical access to the work area.

Types of Lifts and When to Use Them

Not every piece of equipment fits every job. With the wide range of work that calls for these machines comes an assortment of types and models.

Fixed

These heavy-duty units are mainly used to move materials instead of people. You’ll see them in docks and manufacturing facilities where teams need to raise pallets, equipment or vehicles.

They are best used to move heavy items up and down frequently in a controlled space without much horizontal adjustment.

Indoor

This style runs on rechargeable batteries, produces no emissions and is quieter than other styles, which makes it a good fit for offices, warehouses, hospitals, retail spaces and schools.

Since these are popular for indoor settings, many models use non-marking tires and have tighter turning radii for navigating doorways and narrow corridors.

Rough Terrain

Best for use outdoors, or anywhere you need traction and capacity on uneven ground. These typically run on diesel, gas or liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and come with larger tires, four-wheel drive and higher weight ratings.

Rough-terrain models run louder than electric ones and create exhaust, so they are not typically recommended indoors. Pick these for outdoor construction, heavy installs and rugged jobsites.

Cleanroom

This type uses compressed air instead of hydraulic fluid to raise the working surface, which avoids oil leaks in sensitive or sterile spaces. They are common in food processing, pharmaceuticals and electronics facilities.

They may rise more slowly and carry less than heavy-duty hydraulic options, but are the best choice when cleanliness and contamination control matter.

Scissor Lift vs. Boom Lift

While similar, the fundamental difference between scissor lifts and boom lifts comes down to movement action. Scissor lifts move straight up and down only over a large, mobile platform. Boom lift arms extend both vertically and horizontally and can reach much higher, but come with a smaller baskets.

Choose a scissor lift when:

The task is within moderate heights.
You don’t need to reach over obstacles or obstructions.
A deck is needed for materials or multiple workers.
Cost efficiency is a priority.
Work is directly above or very close to the machine’s position.

Choose a boom lift when:

You must reach over machinery, roofs, walls or other obstructions.
Work is at higher elevations.
Access requires positioning away from the base of the work area.
The job involves frequent repositioning to different horizontal locations.
Ground conditions prevent positioning directly under the workspace.

When the job at hand sits behind obstacles or away from your base position, a boom lift usually wins. When the work area is clear and directly above you, a scissor lift is often the better choice.

Renting vs. Buying a Scissor Lift

While these machines are useful for a wide variety of jobs, they are also significant investments. When deciding whether to rent or buy, consider how often you and your team will use the lift and compare the costs against your budget.

When Renting Makes Sense

Rent a scissor lift for short-term projects, seasonal work or changing needs across jobsites. Renting gives you flexibility, keeps upfront costs lower and shifts storage and maintenance costs to the rental provider. Many crews choose to rent first, then buy once the work demonstrates consistent demand.

When Buying Makes Sense

Buy when lift use is frequent and predictable. A good rule of thumb is to estimate whether you expect to use it during more than half of working days. Before you purchase, confirm you have storage space and the capital budget to buy, insure and properly maintain the unit through its lifespan.

Safety Basics

Scissor lifts are straightforward, as heavy equipment goes, but they still require stringent safety measures. Safe use starts with training and is reinforced by regular inspection and strict observation of the lift’s limits. OSHA expects employers to ensure operators are trained, competent and authorized before operating any machine, including scissor lifts.

Your baseline routine should include:

A pre-shift inspection to confirm the machine is ready to run.
Capacity checks so you never exceed the rated load.
Closed guardrails and gates any time the deck is elevated.
Operation only on manufacturer-approved surfaces to maintain stability.

To support safety training expectations, an Aerial and Scissor Lift Safety Certificate from OSHA Education Center gives you practical instruction built around real-life use.

Our training course walks operators through what to look for during start-of-shift checks, how to stay within rated capacity and how to operate safely in busy areas. It also helps standardize your training so both new hires and experienced workers follow the same safety baseline.