{"id":3545,"date":"2026-10-08T11:14:26","date_gmt":"2026-10-08T03:14:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/?p=3545"},"modified":"2026-10-08T11:14:26","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T03:14:26","slug":"are-used-scissor-lifts-compliant-with-industry-standards-41d9-2dfd47","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/2026\/10\/08\/are-used-scissor-lifts-compliant-with-industry-standards-41d9-2dfd47\/","title":{"rendered":"Are used scissor lifts compliant with industry standards?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hey there, it\u2019s Jake from [Your Company Name] \u2013 the used scissor lift guy who gets more questions about compliance than lift oil changes last month. Let\u2019s cut to the chase (pun very intended): if you\u2019re shopping for used scissor lifts, you\u2019re definitely wondering if they actually follow industry rules. Spoiler: not all do. But if you know what to look for, you can score a compliant lift that\u2019ll save you thousands over new, no headache included. Used Scissor Lift<\/a><\/p>\n

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First off, let\u2019s talk about why compliance even matters. I\u2019ve seen it all on the supplier side: a guy bought a beat-up used lift from some random online seller, used it for 2 days before OSHA showed up and tagged the whole job, cost him $12k in fines plus he had to rent brand new lifts for the rest of the project. Another small business client of mine saved $8k on a used lift that passed all compliance checks, stayed on job for 3 years no issues. The line? Compliance isn\u2019t just a box to tick \u2013 it\u2019s what keeps you from losing cash, getting shut down, or (way worse) hurting someone.<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s break down the key standards we\u2019re talking about here. The big ones in the US are OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and ANSI (American National Standards Institute) \u2013 and they go hand in hand for scissor lifts, specifically the A92.20 and A92.22 standards. For folks outside the US? Different regions have their own, like CE marking in the EU, but most of the used lifts I sell are originally North American, so OSHA\/ANSI is the baseline, but I always verify for international buyers too. The thing is, these standards don\u2019t just apply to new lifts \u2013 they apply to all<\/em> aerial lifts, used or brand new, no exceptions. OSHA doesn\u2019t care if your lift has a 2008 or 2024 sticker; if it doesn\u2019t meet the latest safety specs when it\u2019s on your job, you\u2019re on the hook.<\/p>\n

Wait, hold on \u2013 does that mean a 10-year-old used scissor lift can\u2019t be compliant? No, but there are gaps. ANSI updates those standards every few years to fix new hazards. For example, the 2013 A92.22 update required things like fall arrest anchors on all scissor lifts over 10 feet, better guardrail strength, and emergency lower switches that work even if the main engine dies. The 2021 update added things like speed limiters on slopes and better anti-entrapment guards for the platform gaps. Here\u2019s the catch: if a used lift was built before<\/em> that update year, it only needs to meet the standards that were in place when it was manufactured \u2013 but wait, no, hold that thought. When you modify a lift, like replacing the motor or upgrading the hydraulics, you have to bring it up to the current ANSI\/OSHA standards at that time. And every time you do a major overhaul, that\u2019s non-negotiable. That\u2019s where a lot of sketchy used lift sellers cut corners \u2013 they don\u2019t do those upgrades, so they sell a lift that\u2019s outdated on safety, even if it looks good.<\/p>\n

As a used lift supplier, this is non-negotiable for my inventory. Let\u2019s walk through what I check on every single lift that hits my lot, because skipping these steps is how you get in trouble. First, the paper trail. I need every lift to have its original manufacturer\u2019s specs, plus any service records from the last 5 years. If a lift was in a flood, crashed, or had a major repair, those records will show it \u2013 and if there\u2019s no paper trail? I don\u2019t touch it. Paperwork isn\u2019t just busywork; it\u2019s proof that the lift was maintained right, and that any modifications were done correctly.<\/p>\n

Next, the physical inspections, which I do with a third-party safety tech every time (can\u2019t skip that, OSHA loves independent checks). Let\u2019s start with the obvious stuff: guardrails and safety rails. Are they bent? Loose? If a lift was modified and they skimped on rail strength, that\u2019s a fail. Then the fall arrest anchors \u2013 every lift built after 2013 needs a rated anchor for a safety harness. I\u2019ve had a few 2012 lifts come through here that had anchors, but they weren\u2019t rated to current specs, so I have to upgrade those before it leaves. Emergency features too: the lower switch (the one that lets you bring the lift down if the main power dies) \u2013 that has to work, no dead zones. The horn, the lights (for outdoor use, anyway), and the emergency stop button \u2013 that\u2019s a big one, it has to be red, prominent, and actually cut power immediately.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the load capacity and platform surface. A lot of old lifts have faded labels that say \u201c500 lbs max\u201d but if the frame was damaged, that capacity is off. I do a load test \u2013 stack 125% of the listed capacity on the platform, hold it up for 10 minutes, no wobbling or sinking more than an inch. If it fails? I don\u2019t sell it. Also, the platform surface has to be non-slip \u2013 no cracked metal grates or smooth paint. I\u2019ve had a guy try to sell me a lift where he covered the rusty grate with paint; I passed, obviously, because someone could slip and fall.<\/p>\n

Hydraulics are another huge area. Leaks aren\u2019t just a mess \u2013 a leaky hydraulic line can cause the lift to drop suddenly, which is a OSHA violation. I check every hose, every seal, and if there\u2019s any seepage (not just a tiny wet spot \u2013 actual drips), it gets fixed. Also, the leveling system \u2013 if the lift won\u2019t stay level on a slope, that\u2019s a hazard. I test that too, on a 5-degree and 10-degree slope, to make sure it holds steady.<\/p>\n

Wait, what about older lifts, like pre-2000 models? A lot of small contractors can\u2019t afford a post-2013 lift, so they go for old 1990s models. The good news is, those can be compliant too, but you have to upgrade the parts that are required for their age. For example, a 1998 scissor lift didn\u2019t need fall arrest anchors back in 1998, but if you\u2019re using it today, OSHA recommends adding them \u2013 and most job sites will require them, anyway. So I offer upgrade kits for older lifts, and I make sure my customers know that adding those kits isn\u2019t optional if they want the lift to be compliant. I price those upgrades into the used lift cost, so there\u2019s no hidden fees \u2013 that\u2019s how you build trust, right?<\/p>\n

Now, let\u2019s talk about what to avoid when buying used. First, don\u2019t buy from a no-name seller on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Those guys don\u2019t do inspections, they don\u2019t have paper trails, and they don\u2019t care if their lift gets you fined. I\u2019ve had 3 clients come to me after buying a lift from one of those places, getting OSHA hits, and they had to throw the lift away because it was unrepairable. Second, don\u2019t fall for \u201ctoo good to be true\u201d pricing. If a 2015 scissor lift is $2k less than every other dealer, there\u2019s a reason \u2013 probably it failed the safety inspection, or has hidden damage. I price my lifts competitively, but I don\u2019t undersell because I don\u2019t want to leave a safety gap. Third, don\u2019t skip the pre-purchase inspection. Even if you buy from a reputable dealer, ask to have your own third-party tech look it over. I let my customers bring their own inspectors to my lot, no hassles \u2013 I\u2019d rather prove compliance than hide something.<\/p>\n

Wait, another common myth: \u201cused lifts are less safe than new ones.\u201d No, that\u2019s not true if they\u2019re maintained and inspected properly. I have a 2014 scissor lift that I sold last year, it\u2019s been used on 5 different job sites, passed every OSHA check, and the customer told me it\u2019s run better than some new lifts he rented. The key is that I do annual safety checks on every lift I sell, and I provide a 90-day warranty on parts and labor, so if something goes wrong, I fix it. That\u2019s not something the random online sellers can offer.<\/p>\n

What about international buyers? I\u2019ve shipped lifts to Canada, the UK, and Australia, right? For the EU, CE marking is required, so I make sure every lift I send there has been tested to meet EN 280 standards, which are the EU\u2019s aerial lift rules. I adjust my inspections to match local standards, so my international customers don\u2019t have to stress about compliance headaches. A lot of used lifts don\u2019t have CE marks, but I can retro-fit a lot of them, so that\u2019s something I always offer to explain.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s wrap this up. Used scissor lifts can absolutely be compliant with industry standards \u2013 but only if you buy from a dealer that prioritizes inspections, paperwork, and necessary upgrades, not just flipping old equipment. The worst thing you can do is cut corners on compliance to save a few bucks; it\u2019ll cost you way more in fines, downtime, or injuries. If you\u2019re in the market for a used scissor lift, don\u2019t guess on compliance. Hit me up, we can chat about your job site needs, show you our current inventory, and walk through exactly how every lift meets all the safety rules. No pressure, just straight talk about making your job easier and legal.<\/p>\n

Truck Mounted Crane<\/a> References:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. OSHA. (2023). Aerial Lifts – Scissor Lifts. Occupational Safety and Health Administration.<\/li>\n
  2. ANSI\/SAIA A92.22-2021. (2021). American National Standard for Vehicle-Mounted Elevating and Rotating Aerial Devices – Design, Calculations, Requirements, and Tests. American National Standards Institute.<\/li>\n
  3. European Committee for Standardization. (2020). EN 280:2020, Mobile aerial work platforms – Design calculations, safety requirements and tests.<\/li>\n
  4. International Organization for Standardization. (2022). ISO 16368:2022, Aerial work platforms – Requirements for testing of scissor lifts.<\/li>\n
  5. National Commission on Safety and Health. (2022). Used Aerial Equipment: Compliance and Best Practices for Small Businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    \n

    Yantai Quanrui International Trading Co., Ltd.<\/a>
    As one of the most reliable used scissor lift manufacturers and suppliers in China, we’re featured by high quality customized products. Please rest assured to buy discount used scissor lift made in China here from our factory. Contact us for pricelist and quotation.
    Address: No. 278, Sanya Road, Gaotuan Town, Fushan District, Yantai City, Shandong Province, China
    E-mail: Info@quanjin1588.com
    WebSite:     https:\/\/www.qr1588.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Hey there, it\u2019s Jake from [Your Company Name] \u2013 the used scissor lift guy who gets … Are used scissor lifts compliant with industry standards?<\/span>Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":42,"featured_media":3545,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[3508],"class_list":["post-3545","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-industry","tag-used-scissor-lift-4ab9-2e3e6a"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/42"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3545"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3545"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3545"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3545"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.gramstories.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3545"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}