Electric scissor lift checklist: what to check before you go up (2026)

In short: before going up on an electric scissor lift, run five checks in this order: (1) paperwork and people — training, manual on board, periodic inspection in date; (2) a walk-around with the machine off, looking for leaks, damage, tyres, battery and gate; (3) the function test from the ground, including the emergency stop and manual descent; (4) the function test from the platform, including the tilt alarm; (5) the site — ground, holes, what is overhead, power lines and wind. It takes 10 to 15 minutes, is done every day and whenever the operator changes. If anything fails, do not go up: switch off, remove the key, tag the machine and tell whoever is in charge.

Which machines this guide is for

The electric scissor lift is the most used aerial work platform: according to IPAF's 2023 rental market report, scissors make up 48% of the rental fleet in Europe and 84% of them are electric. These are the 6 to 16 m working-height machines seen in warehouses, shops, industrial buildings and fit-out work. This checklist is based on JLG's operation and safety manual (ES series) and applies, with small differences in controls, to:

• JLG: ES1932 / 1930ES, ES2632, ES2646, ES3246 / 3246ES, ES4046, the narrow ES1330L, ES1530L, ES1330M, ES1530M, ES1930M and ES2632M, and the AE1932.
• Other brands: Genie GS-1932, GS-2632, GS-3246 and GS-4047; Haulotte Compact 8, Compact 10, Compact 12 and Optimum 8; Skyjack SJIII 3219 and 3226; Snorkel S3219E; and the equivalents from Dingli, LGMG and Zoomlion.
• It also works, with additions, for electric and diesel rough-terrain scissors (JLG ERT and RT, such as the 4394RT; see the section at the end) and for single-person vertical masts.
• It is not enough for articulated and telescopic booms: there a harness is mandatory and the boom needs its own checks. See the guide Work at height: guardrails and harnesses.

The actual limits (load, wind, slope) change from model to model: always confirm them in your machine's manual and decals. JLG manuals are in our manuals library.

The 30-point checklist

Print this list or keep it on your phone. Each point is explained in the sections that follow.

1. Before

• I am trained for this type of platform and know this model
• The operator's manual is in the platform storage box
• The last periodic inspection is in date (report or sticker less than 13 months old)
• Someone on the ground knows how to use the ground controls and manual descent
• I have a helmet with chin strap, safety footwear and gloves

2. Walk-around

• No hydraulic oil or battery fluid leaks, underneath and around
• Chassis, scissor arms, pins and cylinder free of cracks, dents or loose parts
• Pothole protection bars in place and straight
• Tyres free of cuts or missing chunks; wheel nuts tight
• Battery charged; cables undamaged; lithium with no swelling, smell or smoke
• Hydraulic oil level correct
• Guardrails firm; gate self-closes and latches; deck extension slides and locks
• Load, wind and instruction decals legible

3. Ground test

• The ground emergency stop cuts all functions
• The platform lifts and lowers from the ground controls; pothole bars drop as it rises
• Manual descent works (with the platform at about 1 m)

4. Platform test

• The control box is secure; nothing moves without the enable button
• Drive, steer, lift and lower work and stop when the joystick is released
• The platform emergency stop cuts everything; the horn works
• The brakes hold the machine on a slope
• With the platform raised, speed drops; the tilt alarm works

5. Site

• Firm, almost level ground that takes the machine's weight and wheel load
• Wheels at least 60 cm from holes, steps, loading docks and trenches
• Nothing overhead that could trap you: ceilings, beams, overhead cranes, ducts
• At least 5 m from any overhead power line
• Outdoors: an outdoor-rated machine and wind below 12.5 m/s (45 km/h)
• Area closed to pedestrians and vehicles; route checked before driving

Going up

• Load and number of people within the machine's limit (indoor or outdoor)
• Enter through the gate with the platform fully down; gate closed

At the end

• Platform down, key removed, machine charging in a ventilated place

Based on the pre-start inspection, walk-around and function check in JLG's operation and safety manual (ES series, 2025 edition) and IPAF's pre-use inspection Toolbox Talk. Always follow your model's manual.

1. Before reaching the machine: paperwork and people

• Training. Portuguese law only lets "duly qualified" workers drive self-propelled equipment (Decree-Law 50/2005, article 32). There is no official licence; in practice a platform operator course is required, such as the IPAF PAL card in category 3a (scissors). The guide Forklift and aerial platform licence explains the options.
• Familiarisation with the model. Training is not enough: before using a new model, someone has to show you where the emergency stop, ground controls, manual descent and indoor/outdoor selector are, and what the machine's limits are. ISO 18893 and IPAF call this "familiarisation".
• Manual on the machine. The operation and safety manual must be in the weatherproof box on the platform, and its serial number should match the machine's data plate. If it is missing, ask for it or look it up in the JLG manuals library.
• Periodic inspection in date. JLG requires an annual inspection, no later than 13 months after the previous one, plus another every 3 months or 150 hours. When the machine works away from the company's premises, it must carry a copy of the latest inspection report (Decree-Law 50/2005, article 7(3)). If there is no proof of inspection or it is out of date, IPAF is clear: do not use the platform. See the guide Mandatory inspections of aerial work platforms.
• Someone on the ground. Never work alone at height without someone on the ground who can use the ground controls and manual descent. If you get stuck up there, that person gets you down.
• Protective equipment. IPAF's recommended minimum: helmet with chin strap, safety footwear, gloves and eye protection.

2. Walk-around, with the machine switched off

Start at one corner and go all the way round, including under the chassis. At every point you are looking for the same things: loose or missing parts, leaks, damage and unusual wear.

3. Function test from the ground, with nobody on the platform

Do the tests where there is nothing overhead or around the machine.

1. Ground controls. Turn the key to ground control and raise the platform about 1 metre. Lower it.
2. Emergency stop. Press the red ground button: every function must stop. Reset it.
3. Pothole bars. As the platform rises, check the bars drop fully on both sides. If they do not, the machine will not drive elevated, or worse, will drive without protection.
4. Manual descent. With the platform at about 1 metre, slowly pull the manual descent handle: the platform must come down. Let go to stop. This is how someone is brought down if the machine breaks down or runs out of battery at height; keep hands and arms clear of the scissor arms.
5. Descent alarm. On CE-marked machines, lowering pauses for a few seconds at about 1.4 to 1.9 m (depending on the model) and continues with an audible warning, to avoid crushing the feet of people nearby.

4. Function test from the platform

Climb the ladder with the platform fully down, close the gate and switch the key to platform control.

1. Control box secure. The control box is firmly in place and the button guards are fitted.
2. Enable button. Nothing moves without pressing the joystick's enable trigger or button. On JLG machines you have 5 seconds after pressing it to start a movement.
3. Movements. Drive forwards and backwards, steer both ways, lift and lower. Everything must stop as soon as you release the joystick.
4. Horn and emergency stop. The horn works; the platform emergency stop cuts every function.
5. Brakes. With the platform down, drive up a slope (within the machine's gradeability) and stop: the machine must not move.
6. Reduced speed when raised. On smooth level ground, raise the platform above 1.4 to 1.7 m (depending on the model) and drive: speed must drop to about 0.8 km/h, against 4.8 km/h with the platform down.
7. Tilt alarm. If the machine has a tilt light or alarm, check it works. When it trips with the platform raised, the machine blocks lifting and driving: it can only come down.
8. Indoor/outdoor selector. On machines that have one, choose the right mode before going up. On CE machines it can only be changed with the platform stowed.

If any check fails: stop, switch the machine off, remove the key, press the emergency stop, put up a warning and report the fault. Reporting faults is the worker's duty (Law 102/2009, article 17), and a faulty machine does not go back to work until it is repaired.

5. The site

The three most serious scissor lift accidents are overturning, getting trapped against something overhead and contact with power lines. Almost all of them are prevented by looking at the site before going up.

The ground

• Firm and almost level. Scissor lifts are built to work on level ground. The tilt alarm trips at just a few degrees of side slope (1.5 to 4.5° on JLG ES machines, depending on model and height): 1.5° is a 2.6 cm drop per metre. With the platform down, JLG ES machines climb slopes of up to 25% (14°) and drive on 5° side slopes.
• Able to take the weight. An 8 m scissor weighs about 1,600 kg and a 12 m one about 2,600 kg, on four small wheels: the load per wheel reaches 700 to 1,050 kg and is shown on a decal next to each wheel. Be wary of raised access floors, manhole and drain covers, car park slabs, goods lifts, and soil or grass after rain.
• No holes or steps nearby. Keep the wheels at least 60 cm from holes, steps, loading docks, trenches and slab edges. Clear debris and boards from the path.

What is overhead and around

• Entrapment risk. Before going up, look up: ceilings, beams, ducts, sprinklers, lighting tracks, overhead cranes, branches. When lifting close to a beam, your head and hands end up between the platform and the obstacle. Go up slowly for the last metres and check the clearance above, beside and below the platform.
• Overhead cranes. If the building has an overhead crane, agree with whoever operates it and, if possible, switch it off and lock it out.
• People and vehicles. Close the area with cones or tape, keep pedestrians at least 1.8 m from the machine and never work over people. In warehouses, coordinate with forklifts. If you cannot see where you are going, have someone guide you.
• Route. Before driving with the platform raised, check the route: holes, level changes, covers and overhead obstacles.

Power lines

The machine is not insulated. E-REDES, the Portuguese distribution operator, asks for at least 5 metres between lines and any aerial platform, and JLG's manual gives 3 m up to 50 kV, 5 m up to 200 kV and more above that. Allow for cable sway in the wind and treat every line as live. If you need to work closer, E-REDES must switch off or shield the line: its electrical risk line is 800 506 506 (free, 24 hours).

Wind and weather

• Indoor-only machines. A scissor with "0 m/s" on its plate, such as the JLG ES1932i, must never be used outdoors, even on a calm day. Also watch open-sided buildings and buildings under construction, where there can be wind inside.
• Outdoor machines. The usual limit is 12.5 m/s measured at the platform, about 45 km/h. That is force 6 on the Beaufort scale: large branches moving, wires whistling, umbrellas hard to hold. Wind is stronger at height than on the ground and speeds up between buildings. A pocket anemometer settles any doubt.
• Less load outdoors. On many scissors, outdoor mode reduces the number of people and the load (for example, 2 people indoors and 1 outdoors on the JLG ES1932, ES2632 and ES3246).
• Nothing that acts as a sail. Do not tie banners, signs or large panels to the guardrails.
• Thunderstorms and rain. In a thunderstorm, come down and switch off. Portuguese law forbids work at height when the weather compromises safety (Decree-Law 50/2005, article 36(8)). In rain or ice, expect slippery surfaces on the platform and the ground.

6. Up on the platform: rules while you work

• Enter and exit only through the gate, with the platform fully down, facing the machine and with three points of contact. Never climb the scissor arms and never step onto a roof or scaffold from the raised platform.
• Gate closed throughout the work.
• Respect the load and number of people for the mode you are in (indoor or outdoor), counting people, tools and materials. The deck extension has its own limit, usually 120 kg. If the overload alarm sounds, the machine will not lift further: remove weight.
• Feet stay on the platform floor. No stepladders, buckets, boxes or boards to gain height, and never sit or stand on the guardrails. If you cannot reach, come down and reposition the machine or use a taller one.
• Do not lean out over the guardrails or push or pull hard on walls, pipes or parts. The allowed side force is low (200 N, about 20 kg, outdoors; 400 N indoors). The platform is not a crane.
• Materials inside the platform, never hung on the guardrails. Power tools stowed, never hanging by their cord.
• Harness. On a scissor lift the guardrail is the main protection and IPAF considers a harness is not normally needed, because there is no catapult effect. But follow your machine's manual and the site risk assessment: JLG's manual recommends a harness with a restraint lanyard attached to the platform anchor points, and in Europe only as a restraint system (one that stops you reaching the edge), never to arrest a fall. Never attach yourself to a structure outside the platform.
• Drive with the platform raised only on firm, smooth, level ground, slowly, looking in the direction of travel and upwards. Never on slopes or near edges.
• Phone or radio: stop the machine before using them.
• Clothing and hair. No loose clothing, jewellery or long loose hair near the scissor arms.
• The platform can drift down slightly as the hydraulic oil temperature changes. It is not a fault, but allow for it when working close to a part.

7. If something goes wrong

• The machine breaks down or runs out of battery at height: the person on the ground lowers the platform with the ground controls. If there is no power, they use the manual descent (pulling the handle slowly lowers the platform; letting go stops it).
• The platform gets caught on a beam or ceiling: stop all functions. If someone is trapped or injured, call 112. JLG says to rescue the people first and only then free the machine, from the ground controls. Do not force lifting or lowering from the platform.
• Contact with a power line: whoever is on the platform stays there and touches nothing. Nobody approaches the machine. Call 112 and E-REDES (800 506 506) and wait for the line to be switched off.
• The machine tips or ends up leaning: do not try to right it alone; stabilise it with suitable equipment and get the people out.
• The lithium battery gives off smoke: move everyone away and use a class D extinguisher. Never water.
• After any incident, even with no visible damage, the machine stays out of use until checked by a competent person (Decree-Law 50/2005, article 6(3)). Tell the machine's owner or rental company.

The rescue plan (who lowers the platform, where the handle is, who to call) should be agreed before work starts: equipment that lifts people must allow them to be evacuated safely (Decree-Law 50/2005, article 29).

8. At the end of the day

1. Lower the platform fully and park on level ground, in a sheltered and ventilated place.
2. Turn the key off and remove it. Press the ground emergency stop so the battery does not drain overnight.
3. Charge with the machine's own charger, from an earthed socket, with no damaged extension leads, away from flames and with no smoking: lead-acid batteries give off hydrogen while charging.
4. Lead-acid batteries: charge every day the machine works and do not let them drop below 20%. Top up with distilled water only after charging. Lithium batteries: original charger only, do not go below 10%, and in cold weather leave them plugged in overnight.
5. If the machine will stand for many days, chock at least two wheels. In dusty or paint-laden environments, cover the controls.
6. Record the day's check and any fault, on a sheet or in IPAF's ePAL app. That is also what shows an inspector the check was done.

Rough-terrain and diesel scissors: what to add

Rough-terrain scissors (JLG ERT electric and RT diesel, Genie GS RT, Haulotte Compact DX and equivalents) follow the same checklist and add:

• Engine (diesel): fuel, engine oil level, coolant, air filter and exhaust. Never run a diesel engine in an enclosed space without ventilation.
• Outriggers or levelling jacks: no leaks, extending and retracting, and used as the manual says.
• Oscillating axle: in place and leak-free; the lockout is tested every 3 months by the technician.
• Deck extension stops and rollers.
• Different limits: they carry up to 4 people and 454 to 681 kg, but the side tilt alarm trips at 2.5 to 4° depending on load, and outdoors the number of people drops. Check the model's manual.

The daily check does not replace inspection or maintenance

This checklist is the operator's part. The machine also needs the manufacturer's preventive maintenance (every 3 months or 150 hours) and the periodic inspection by a competent person, at most every 13 months, with a written report. According to IPAF, in 2024 there were 6 deaths and 2 serious injuries worldwide linked to mechanical or technical failures, which is why IPAF's 2026 campaign focuses on inspections.

Where Trapézio de Prismas comes in

We are the JLG dealer in Portugal: we sell JLG scissor lifts and used machines, carry out maintenance and the mandatory periodic inspections on platforms of any make, and keep the JLG manuals available online. If your machine's inspection is out of date or it failed a point on this checklist, ask us for an inspection or repair.