Are you planning to rent a scissor lift during a DIY project to paint the exterior walls of your home? Read on and discover some of the things you should avoid doing when you are using that scissor lift during your project.

Ignoring Uneven Surfaces

Never operate the scissor lift on an uneven surface. This is because the scissor lift may roll down that uneven surface when you climb onto the platform of the lift. Inspect the site and avoid setting up the scissor lift on soft ground. You should also avoid setting up the work platform where there are holes, drop offs or debris. This is because such a surface may cause the scissor lift to bump and throw your helpers off the platform. Use chokes to stop the wheels from moving if you have set up the scissor lift on a sloping surface.

Overloading the Boom

Some inexperienced homeowners may think that they can use a scissor lift intended for workers to transport materials too. Such a mentality can cause the homeowner to overload the boom in case he or she places heavy materials on the platform during the home improvement project. Such a load may overwhelm the boom and cause it to fail. Serious injuries can result from such a structural failure caused by exceeding the weight limits of the equipment. Avoid such risks by adhering to the weight limits specified by the manufacturer of the scissor lift that you have hired.

Poor Weight Distribution

Weights that don't exceed the capacity of the scissor lift can still cause the scissor lift to fail. For instance, two men standing on the furthest edge of the lift's platform can cause that platform to topple over because the load it is carrying isn't distributed properly. It is therefore imperative that you pay attention to the way any loads on the platform are distributed so that the stability of the scissor lift is not compromised while you are working.

Working During Inclement Weather

Don't be tempted to use the scissor lift during unfavourable weather conditions, such as when there is fog reducing visibility at the worksite. Some people insist on working in such conditions because they want to avoid hiring the scissor lift for extra days. Such people may expose themselves to several accidents, such as electrocution when they set up the scissor lift close to overhead power lines that they couldn't see due to the limited visibility. Avoid taking such unnecessary risks. Only use the scissor lift when weather conditions are favorable.

Seek for guidance from scissor lift hire companies in case you have never used a scissor lift before. Those professionals will advise you on how to avoid getting involved in a scissor lift accident as you paint the exterior walls of your home. For more information, contact a business such as Aluminium Scaffolds (Vic) Pty Ltd.