This thread mixes colloquial and
technical terms. Genie makes several different products for work at heights. However, the “Genie” at one facility may not be the “Genie” at another facility. And this distinction is crucial in these discussions because in the US, the federal
OSHA regulations for a
scissors lift are different from those for just about every other type of lift, for example, the “bucket” used by electrical utility workers.
Scissors lifts are regulated under the
OSHA scaffolding standards. (See end of this paragraph.) More often than not, a
scissors lift is equipped with railing that meets the fall protection standards in
OSHA. Because of this, additional fall protection is not required. The placement of the lift relative to the work may be a factor in deciding if other protection should be used.
http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24191
But the original post is about moving an extended and occupied lift (that I am assuming to be a
scissors lift), and per US
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.452 (w)(6), (somewhat surprisingly) this is permitted only if all five conditions (listed below) are met. Notwithstanding this, some of the reasons that such movement should not be done are noted by jbeutt, above.
http://www.osha.gov/
From 29 CFR 1926:
1926.452(w)(6)
Employees shall not be allowed to ride on scaffolds unless the following conditions exist:
1926.452(w)(6)(i) The surface on which the
scaffold is being moved is within 3 degrees of
level, and free of pits, holes, and obstructions;
1926.452(w)(6)(ii) The height to
base width ratio of the
scaffold during movement is two to one or less, unless the
scaffold is designed and constructed to meet or exceed nationally recognized stability test requirements such as those listed in paragraph (x) of Appendix A to this subpart (
ANSI/SIA A92.5 and A92.6);
1926.452(w)(6)(iii)
Outrigger frames, when used, are installed on both sides of the
scaffold;
1926.452(w)(6)(iv) When
power systems are used, the propelling force is applied directly to the wheels, and does not produce a speed in excess of 1
foot per second (.3 mps); and
1926.452(w)(6)(v) No employee is on any part of the
scaffold which extends outward beyond the wheels, casters, or other supports.
For a given lift, the stability test in item (ii) can only be demonstrated with the some evidence from the manufacturer, probably a decal on the equipment or a statement in the operator’s
manual. Otherwise, it would appear that the lift is just about down anyway to meet that height width ratio.
I’m not sure about pulling items up with a rope, at least from a regulatory
point of view. To do so would require reaching over the railing. My gut feeling is that this action could apply a tipping force to the lift so some caution is required (If anyone can cite one way or the other, I’d appreciate it.). While a lightweight object could be pulled up with no ill-effect, heavier loads could create a problem.
Joe