Online Scissor Lift Operator Training and Certification

From changing light bulbs in department stores to installing HVAC systems in warehouses, scissor lifts make it safer and easier to reach any overhead work task. This course will prepare you to recognize and address the hazards you will face when using a scissor lift. You will learn important safety concepts, inspection protocols, operating controls and machine components through fully narrated, interactive lessons.

These mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) are regulated by OSHA and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. OSHA requires employers to certify MEWP operators through formal instruction, hands-on equipment training and a performance evaluation. This course is the first step of your scissor lift certification process.

Scissor Lift Operator Training Course Details

Satisfies Training Standards for:

OSHA Standard 1926.454

Designed for:

Workers Who Operate Scissor Lifts and Other Mobile Scaffolds

Format:

100% Online Course

Provides:

Digital Certificate of Completion

Benefits of Online Education

Benefits of our training course include:

100% Online
Covers OSHA Scaffolding Standards 1926.452(w) and 1926.454
Up to 180 Days to Complete the Course
Instant Certificate Download
Unlimited Test Attempts
Bulk Discounts Available

Who Needs Scissor Lifts Training?

Only trained individuals may operate mobile scaffolds, including scissor lifts. This course teaches the important safety and operating principles required by OSHA standard 1926.454.

Mobile scaffolds of all kinds allow workers to extend their vertical range and perform tasks far above the ground. Scissor lifts are used in all kinds of jobs.

You may need training if you work in:

Construction
Utility line installation
Tree trimming
Warehouse operations
Facility maintenance
Videography
Window washing
Building inspections
House painting
Fire and rescue
Demolitions

This OSHA-compliant training isn't just designed for lift operators. If you work on or around any of the scaffold structures described in 1926.452(w), this course is for you.

Testing Requirements

This course includes two end-of-module quizzes and one comprehensive final exam. You must pass each assessment before you complete the course. You have an unlimited number of attempts to pass each quiz and the exam.

The final exam consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from both modules. You must earn a score of at least 70%. If you fail the final test, you can repeat the exam at no additional cost.

Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, you will be able to:

Describe the responsibilities of MEWP operators and employers and explain why familiarization with the exact make and model is required.
Distinguish between Group A, Group B and vehicle-mounted MEWPs based on platform movement and equipment configuration.
Identify common MEWP and scissor lift components, control and safety devices.
Outline the pre-operation inspection and ground-level function test sequence used before elevation.
Explain how guardrails provide primary fall protection on a standard scissor lift and when manufacturer instructions may require a harness.
Apply platform load limits and weight distribution rules, including when using an extension deck.
Identify the conditions required for elevated travel and explain when the platform must be lowered before repositioning.
Recognize wind, slope, soft-ground and uneven-surface hazards that can contribute to a scissor lift tip-over.
Describe the appropriate response to equipment failure or an elevated platform emergency.

Course Outline

This training program includes 90 minutes of fully narrated safety instruction for operators of scissor lifts. The course is divided into two lesson modules.

First, you will learn how to safely work with and around MEWPs, including basic safety principles, inspection procedures and fall protection concepts common to all Group A devices. Then you will study equipment-specific concepts and operating rules based on OSHA and ANSI standards.

Module 1: MEWP Core Safety

Topics covered in Module 1 include:

ANSI/SAIA A92 Responsibilities and Familiarization
MEWP Groups and Equipment Types
Common MEWP Components
Pre-Operation Inspection and Function Testing
Fall Protection
Load Capacity and Load Charts
Worksite Hazard Assessment
Emergency and Rescue Response

Module 2: Scissor Lift Operator Training

Topics covered in Module 2 include:

Group A: Built to Go Up, Not Out
Guardrail-Based Fall Protection
Meet the Scissor Lift
From the Ground to Elevated
Platform Extension Deck
Traveling While Elevated
Wind and Outdoor Operating Limits
Scissor Lift Tip-Over Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a scissor lift?

Scissor lifts are among the most widely used mobile work platforms in the United States. The platform uses scissor-style arms to help workers reach positions above ground level.

Because the platform only moves vertically, these machines are classified as Group A MEWPs under ANSI/SAIA A92. Most models allow operators to drive or relocate the platform while in an elevated position, meaning scissor lifts are also classified as Type 3 MEWPs.

What are OSHA's standards for scissor lifts?

OSHA standards for aerial work platforms, mobile scaffolds and mobile elevating work platforms can be found in 29 CFR 1926.451-454. Specific requirements for scissor lifts include:

29 CFR 1926.452(w) covers specific mobile scaffold designs, including scissor lifts.
29 CFR 1926.454 lists operator training requirements.

OSHA frequently references ANSI best practices. ANSI scissor lift standards are available in A92.22-2021 and A92.24-2018.

Does scissor lift training expire?

No. Your digital certificate of completion has no expiration date. However, you should periodically repeat this training course to refresh your safety knowledge. Your employer may also require you to repeat scissor lift training under certain circumstances.

How often is scissor lift training required?

You should repeat this course every three years to stay up to date on best practices and changing safety standards.

Employers may also require retraining if any of the following occur:

A workplace incident involving a scissor lift.
Hazards related to scissor lifts are discovered on the jobsite.
You start working with or around a different type of lift.
Your employer observes improper use of a scissor lift.

You can also log in to review course materials at any time within 180 days of purchase if you need a refresher.

Does OSHA require scissor lift operators to be trained?

Yes. Only trained personnel may operate a scissor lift. That includes both full-time or dedicated staff and occasional or infrequent users.

The training requirement includes anyone who performs work while occupying the lift, not just the individual controlling the unit.

Does this course provide OSHA certification or a scissor lift license?

OSHA does not approve training courses or certify lift operators. This training course complies with all OSHA training standards found in standard 29 CFR 1926.454 related to scissor lifts.

What are the steps to becoming a certified scissor lift operator?

The certification process includes two parts: theory or classroom education and practical, hands-on training. Each portion must end with an evaluation.

This course fulfills the classroom education requirement, including a multiple-choice final exam. Once you complete the training and download your certificate, your employer must provide on-site instruction for the specific equipment you will use.

At the end of your training, your employer will evaluate your skills and certify you to perform work using a scissor lift.

How long is this course?

You can complete this course in approximately 90 minutes. You don't have to finish it all at once. Your progress is saved automatically every time you log out.

Scissor Lift Certification