Latest update February 23rd, 2017 8:43 PM
Commonly overlooked safety tips
1. Buy Certified Equipment & Options
There’s only one nationally recognized safety standard for vehicle lifts: ANSI-ALI/ALCTV, administered by the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI/ETL). To verify equipment status, look for the gold ALI/ETL certification tag near the lift’s control functions.
As a warning, using options and accessories that are not certified voids the certification of the lift. For example, your two post lift with a 12,000 pound capacity has been certified but your rolling jacks are not. You guessed it—-the lift is not certified!
2. Don’t Overload the Lift
Here’s a math problem to start the day (think middle school and high school math with the situational word problems you never thought would really happen in your life):
You’re loading a 14,000 lb. vehicle on a 15,000 lb. capacity lift. The front axle weighs 4,000 lbs. and the back weighs 9,200 lbs. The per arm capacity of a 15,000 lb. capacity lift is 3,750 lbs (15,000 lbs. dividied by 4 swing arms = 3750). If one end of the vehicle weighs 9,200, each arm needs a minimum arm capacity of 4,600 lbs.
4,600 x 4 swing arms= 18,400
So, if you only had a 15,000 lb. capacity lift it would definitely be overloaded! Make sure to go around your shop and ensure none of your lifts are being overloaded beyond their rated capacities.
3. Training and Testing
Remind your technicians to remain in compliance with safety regulations. Annual maintenance and technician training should be done so as to remain in compliance with safety regulations. Just like everyone who drives a forklift has to watch a video and take a test, the same should be done for vehicle lifts.
To obtain the 20 minute Lifting it Right video that’s presented by NASCAR driver Richard Petty and his son, Kyle, contact the Automotive Lift Institute (www.autolift.org) or Mohawk Lifts at 800-833-2006.
4. Inspect Equipment Annually
ANSI/Automotive Lift Institute ALCTV Standard for Automotive Lifts-“Safety Requirements for Construction, Testing, and Validation” requires technicians to perform a daily operational safety check. The code also requires an annual inspection by a qualified individual. Failing to do so exposes your shop to liabilities that could be associated with an injury if an accident were to happen.
