What inspections are required for a scissor lift table?

• 1. Is external expert approval required?
• 2. Requirements of the industrial safety regulation
  • 2.1 How often must work equipment be inspected?
  • 2.2 Who is authorized to perform the inspections?
• 3. Inspections according to EN 1570-1
  • 3.1 Preliminary inspection
  • 3.2 Construction inspection
  • 3.3 Acceptance inspection
  • 3.4 Final inspection before commissioning
• 4. Manufacturer-specific requirements
  • 4.1 Daily inspections
  • 4.2 Monthly inspections
  • 4.3 Annual inspections
• 5. Do you have any questions?

When purchasing or operating a scissor lift table, important questions often arise: What inspections are legally required? Is approval by DEKRA or TÜV mandatory? Who is authorized to perform regular recurring inspections?
In this article, we answer these questions and provide valuable information about inspections and the safe use of a scissor lift table.

External approval by experts such as TÜV or DEKRA is generally not required for scissor lift tables. However, exceptions exist if the scissor lift table falls under the categories listed in Annex IV of the Machinery Directive and is classified as particularly hazardous. For hydraulic lifting devices, the following categories are particularly relevant:

1. Lifting platforms for vehicles
2. Lifting platforms for raising people or people and goods where a fall height of more than 3 meters is reached

If the lifting device falls into one of these categories and no harmonized standard covers all potential hazards, an EC type examination is mandatory.

In all other cases, approval by an external expert remains optional. It can be arranged upon request but is not mandatory.

When a lift table is used in a commercial environment, compliance with occupational safety regulations is essential. A key role is played by the Industrial Safety Regulation (BetrSichV), which transposes the requirements of the European Work Equipment Directive into German law. This regulation governs the safe use of work equipment, including scissor lift tables, and establishes clear requirements for their operation.

Before commissioning a new scissor lift table, the employer is required to take initial measures. While an inspection is not yet mandatory at this stage, a risk assessment must be created for the new equipment.

Based on this risk assessment, the necessary protective measures are determined. These include both organizational and technical measures aimed at protecting employees and nearby individuals. Additionally, the risk assessment specifies how often the protective measures must be inspected.

Tip

Discuss the installation situation and intended use with the lift table manufacturer early on. Manufacturers are required to conduct a risk analysis before designing a new machine. By communicating all safety-relevant details in good time, potential hazards can be addressed during the design process, and suitable safety concepts can be developed.

The risk assessment can be carried out either by a qualified person or by the employer themselves, provided they possess the necessary expertise. However, the inspection of work equipment may only be performed by a qualified person.

A qualified person is characterized by their professional training, work experience and knowledge of relevant regulations. They have sufficient technical expertise to perform these tasks competently and safely.

EN 1570-1 is the most important safety standard for scissor lift tables. It mandates that all safety-related requirements and measures must be inspected to ensure the scissor lift table complies with the prescribed standards. Inspections in accordance with EN 1570-1 can vary depending on the type of safety measure and include the following methods:

• Inspections: Visual checks to identify potential defects or wear on critical safety components.
• Functional tests: Verification of the proper operation of safety devices, such as emergency stop buttons or foot protection safety edges.
• Measurements: Monitoring specific technical parameters to ensure the machine operates within the allowable limits.

The preliminary inspection takes place during the design phase of a lift table, before the physical product is manufactured. The purpose of this inspection is to determine whether the planned lift table complies with the current requirements of EN 1570-1.

The following documents are typically used for the evaluation:

• Drawings of the lift table
• Electrical and hydraulic circuit diagrams
• Information about the manufacturing process
• Operating manual
• Individual calculation records

Based on these documents, aspects such as adherence to the specified safety factors for component strength and the inclusion of all necessary safety features are assessed.

At this stage, at least the steel structure of the scissor lift table has been completed. The inspection ensures that the lift table has been manufactured in accordance with the previously created drawings and technical documentation.

The acceptance inspection of a scissor lift table consists of three parts: a visual, practical and electrical inspection.

1. Visual inspection

The visual inspection includes checking mechanical components, weld seams and other safety-critical parts. For example, it also ensures that all necessary markings are present, such as warning labels, maximum load capacity and proper load distribution information, visible to the operator.

2. Practical inspection

The practical inspection ensures the functionality of all safety-relevant systems. This includes verifying safety devices, such as the foot protection safety edges and controls and operating elements. A load test and a leak test of the hydraulic system are also conducted.

3. Electrical inspection

Finally, the electrical inspection is carried out in accordance with the requirements of EN 60204-1. All applicable tests are performed to ensure the electrical safety of the scissor lift table.

If the scissor lift table is assembled on-site, an additional acceptance inspection must be performed before commissioning. This inspection ensures correct assembly, proper functionality and compliance with safety requirements.

In addition to the inspections derived from directives, laws and standards, manufacturer-specific requirements also apply.
Below, we provide a brief overview of the inspections we recommend to ensure the operational safety and longevity of your scissor lift table.

The scissor lift table should undergo a daily visual inspection, focusing on identifying:

• Visible damage
• Defects
• Leaks in the hydraulic system

These regular checks help detect and address potential issues early on.

In addition to daily visual checks, the following inspections should be carried out monthly:

• Functionality test of safety features, such as the foot protection safety edge and emergency stop button
• Inspection of cables and connectors for damage
• Check for loose screws, limit switches and sensors
• Oil level check – ensure the platform is in the correct position during this process

Once a year, all pivot bearings must be inspected, including:

• Fixed bearings
• Floating bearings
• Connecting bearings
• Scissor bearings

Additionally, the specific documentation may contain further inspection requirements based on the individual features of the lift table.

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If you have any questions about the inspections or other aspects of our lift tables, we are happy to assist you.

📞 Phone: +49 5939 96796-90
📧 E-mail: info@j-lifte.com