Scissor Lift Inspection Checklist: Daily, Frequent and Annual Inspections
Last updated: November 2026
A scissor lift inspection checks that the machine’s controls, safety devices, hydraulics, batteries and structure are in good working order before anyone goes up in the platform. Operators run a quick pre-start inspection and function test before each use, and a qualified mechanic does more detailed frequent and annual inspections.
This guide covers each type of scissor lift inspection, what OSHA and the ANSI A92 standards expect, a daily pre-start checklist, a used scissor lift condition report for buying or selling, and how to keep inspection records.
For a general daily checklist and inspection checklists for other machines, see our heavy equipment inspection checklist.
In this guide:
Types of Scissor Lift Inspections
| Inspection | When | Who | What it covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-start inspection | Before each use, at the start of every shift | Trained operator | Walkaround visual check plus a function test of every control and safety device |
| Workplace inspection | Before use and whenever conditions change | Trained operator | Slopes, holes, drop-offs, soft ground, overhead obstructions and power lines |
| Frequent inspection | Every 3 months or 150 hours of use, whichever comes first | Qualified person (mechanic) | Detailed check of the items in the manufacturer’s frequent inspection list |
| Annual inspection | No later than 13 months after the last annual inspection | Qualified mechanic for that make and model | Complete inspection from the manufacturer’s service manual, with a written record |
| Pre-purchase or condition inspection | Before buying, selling or returning a used scissor lift | Mechanic or experienced buyer | Overall condition of batteries, hydraulics, frame, drive train, controls and tires |
Always follow the inspection checklist and intervals in the operator’s and service manuals for your make and model. They are the final word for that machine.
OSHA and ANSI Requirements for Scissor Lift Inspections
- OSHA treats scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds, not aerial lifts, because the platform moves straight up and down. The scaffold rules in 29 CFR 1926.451 and 1926.452(w) apply on construction sites.
- OSHA does not set a fixed inspection interval for scissor lifts. It tells employers to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which include testing and inspecting controls and components before each use, and to make sure the guardrail system is in place and in good condition.
- The ANSI/SAIA A92.22 safe use standard calls for a pre-start inspection before use each day or at the start of each shift, frequent inspections every 3 months or 150 hours, and annual inspections no more than 13 months apart, done by a person qualified on that make and model.
- Records: keep written records of frequent and annual inspections, including what was found and what was repaired. Sources cite a retention period of three to four years, so check the current ANSI A92.22 standard and your manufacturer’s requirements.
- Remove unsafe machines from service. If an inspection finds a defect that affects safe operation, tag the lift out and do not use it until it is repaired.
Operators also need training and familiarization on the specific model under ANSI/SAIA A92.24 before they use it.
Daily Pre-Start Scissor Lift Inspection Checklist
Do the visual walkaround with the lift stowed and the key off, then run the function test from the ground controls and the platform controls in an open area with no overhead or ground-level obstructions. Mark each item OK, needs repair or not applicable.
Visual Walkaround (Machine Off)
| Item | What to check |
|---|---|
| Manuals and decals | Operator’s manual, safety manual and ANSI manual of responsibilities are in the storage box; warning decals and capacity placards are in place and readable |
| Leaks | No hydraulic oil, battery acid or fuel under the machine or on the cylinders and hoses |
| Hydraulic fluid | Level in the correct range with the platform fully lowered; fluid looks clean |
| Batteries | Charged; cables and connectors tight with no corrosion; water level correct on flooded batteries |
| Scissor arms and pins | No cracks, bent arms, damaged welds or missing pins and retainers |
| Lift cylinder and hoses | No leaks, chafing, kinks or damaged fittings |
| Platform and guardrails | Guardrails and toe boards secure; entry gate or chain closes and latches; deck in good condition |
| Extension deck | Slides in and out smoothly and locks in position |
| Tires and wheels | No cuts, chunking or excessive wear; lug nuts tight |
| Pothole protection | Pothole guards or bars are not bent or blocked |
| Covers and guards | Battery and hydraulic compartment covers in place and latched |
Function Test (Machine On)
| Control or device | What should happen |
|---|---|
| Ground control station | Platform raises and lowers from the ground controls; key switch selects ground or platform control |
| Emergency stop buttons | Ground and platform emergency stops shut off all functions |
| Emergency lowering | Manual or auxiliary lowering brings the platform down |
| Platform enable switch | Functions work only while the enable (dead man) switch is held |
| Lift and lower from the platform | Smooth movement with no jerking or unusual noise |
| Drive and steering | Drives forward and reverse; steers left and right |
| Brakes | Machine stops and holds when you release the drive control |
| Elevated drive limits | Drive speed drops, or drive cuts out, as designed when the platform is raised |
| Tilt alarm | Alarm sounds and lift or drive is limited when the machine is out of level |
| Pothole protection | Guards deploy as the platform rises |
| Alarms and lights | Descent and motion alarms, horn and beacon work |
| Overload sensing and outriggers | Test if equipped, following the manual |
If anything fails, tag the machine out of service and report it before anyone uses it. For common faults and fixes, see common scissor lift problems and electric scissor lift issues.
Workplace Inspection
Before raising the platform, check the area where you will drive and work:
- The floor or ground is firm, level and able to carry the machine’s weight; watch for slopes beyond the machine’s rating.
- No holes, drop-offs, floor openings, curbs or debris in the travel path.
- Overhead obstructions are clear, and you stay a safe distance from power lines.
- Wind speed is within the machine’s rating for outdoor use; many slab scissor lifts are rated for indoor use only, or for reduced capacity outdoors.
- Traffic and pedestrians are kept away with barriers or a spotter.
Rough terrain scissor lifts add an engine, four-wheel drive and often leveling outriggers. Our rough terrain scissor lift inspection checklist covers those extra items.
Battery Checks for Electric Scissor Lifts
Batteries are the most expensive wear item on an electric slab scissor lift. Keep the battery bank clean, check connections and water levels, and charge fully after each day of use. During frequent and annual inspections, load test each battery and note its date code. A neglected battery set may need replacing within a year, while a well-maintained set can last up to three years.
Used Scissor Lift Condition Report
Use this condition report before you buy, sell or return a used electric scissor lift. Record the make, model, serial number, year, hours and date of the last annual inspection, then mark each item acceptable, needs repair, not applicable or future repair.
| System | Items to check |
|---|---|
| Battery and electrical | Batteries, battery cables, battery ends and connectors, charger; load test result and date code for each battery |
| Hydraulics | Oil level, filter and housing, tank, hoses and fittings, lift cylinder(s), steer cylinder, brake cylinder, outrigger cylinders (if equipped), pump and motor, valves and solenoids |
| Frame, chassis and platform | Guards and covers, latches and hinges, pins and retainers, sheet metal, warning and safety decals, operator and ANSI manuals, strobe light, motion alarm, switches and gauges, extension deck, entry gate or latch, pothole protectors, platform condition, static strap, thrust washers, king pin bushings |
| Drive train | Torque hub oil level, steering linkage, lug nuts, drive motors |
| Platform operation | Steering, brakes, lift up and down, drive forward and reverse, limit switches and drive cut-out, tilt alarm, emergency stop, dual capacity function (if equipped), outriggers (if equipped) |
| Ground operation | Lift up and down, emergency stop, emergency descent, emergency lowering rod or valve |
| Tires | Wear or tread remaining on each tire; pressure on pneumatic tires |
| Notes | Recommended repairs, inspected by, date |
Ask the seller for the annual inspection records and service history. For more buying tips, read 4 questions to ask when buying a used scissor lift and our guide to scissor lift types.
Inspection Records and the FleetNow Inspect App
Paper checklists get lost, wet and hard to read, and finding last year’s annual inspection can mean digging through file cabinets. FleetNow Inspect lets mechanics complete pre-start, frequent and annual inspections on a tablet or phone, add photos, and save every report to the machine’s history.
At OHR Rents, mechanics completed 73% more inspections in a month after switching from paper to the app, while the fleet grew 31%. When it is time to sell, you can share past inspection reports with the buyer or add them to your FleetNow listing.
Shop Scissor Lifts on FleetNow
Browse used scissor lifts, including slab scissor lifts and rough terrain scissor lifts, or shop by brand: Genie, JLG, Skyjack and MEC.
Need help? Contact the FleetNow team or call 1-216-973-5124. Have a scissor lift to sell? List your equipment on FleetNow.
Scissor Lift Inspection FAQs
Under the ANSI/SAIA A92.22 standard, the operator does a pre-start inspection and function test before use each day or at the start of each shift. A qualified person does a frequent inspection every 3 months or 150 hours of use, whichever comes first, and an annual inspection no later than 13 months after the last one. Always follow the intervals in your manufacturer manual as well.
OSHA treats scissor lifts as mobile scaffolds and does not set a fixed inspection schedule for them. It tells employers to follow the manufacturer instructions, which include testing and inspecting controls and components before each use, and to make sure guardrails are in place and in good condition. The ANSI A92 standards add the frequent and annual inspections.
A pre-start inspection has two parts. The walkaround covers manuals and decals, leaks, hydraulic fluid, batteries, scissor arms and pins, hoses, guardrails and gate, the extension deck, tires and pothole protection. The function test checks the ground and platform controls, emergency stops, emergency lowering, the enable switch, drive, steering, brakes, the tilt alarm, pothole guards and alarms.
The annual inspection must be done by a person qualified as a mechanic on the specific make and model of scissor lift, following the manufacturer service manual. Many owners use a factory-trained technician or a dealer service department, and keep a written record of what was found and repaired.
Keep written records of frequent and annual inspections, including the date, findings, repairs and who did the work. Sources cite a retention period of three to four years, so check the current ANSI A92.22 standard and your manufacturer requirements. An inspection app such as FleetNow Inspect stores every report with the machine history.
Check the batteries with a load test, the hydraulic system for leaks, the frame and scissor arms for cracks and bent parts, the drive train, every ground and platform control, safety devices such as the tilt alarm and pothole protection, and tire wear. Ask for the annual inspection records and service history.
