INSPECTION & MAINTENANCE
Make lift safety routine
Best practices for operating and maintaining vehicle lifts.
I
f you work under vehicles every day,
there’s more riding on your lift than
cars and trucks. Your safety is riding
on it. Go home safely at the end of
every work day by making proper
lift use part of your daily routine.
Daily Checks
Start every shift by checking over the
lift or lift s that you are going to use. Th e
ANSI (American National Standards Institute)/
ALI ALOIM (current edition),
Standard for Automotive Lift s Safety
Requirements for Operation, Inspection
and Maintenance, provides the following
daily checklist:
• Confi rm all lift operating procedures,
safety tips and safety materials are
accessible and readable.
12 | Vehicle Lift Guide | SEPTEMBER 2017
• Ensure all warning labels are accessible
and readable.
• Confi rm that the lift ’s rated load capacity
is visible.
• Check that all lift controls are operating
properly, including synchronizing
systems, restraints and locking devices.
• Look for deformation or excessive wear
of any structural components.
• Check for deformation or excessive
wear of non-structural components,
like hoses, wires or drive chains.
• Check for damage or excessive wear to
any lift contact points.
• Look for evidence of hydraulic or pneumatic
leaks.
• Have there been any unusual noises,
sudden movements, erratic operation or
evidence of chips or fi lings during use?
• Look for cracks or loose concrete
around fl oor anchor bolts (if applicable).
If you fi nd any issues during your daily
review, don’t use the lift , and report the
situation to your supervisor immediately.
Th e lift should be locked or tagged out of
service until the problem is resolved.
Never try to fi x or rig a lift that isn’t
working properly.
Read the Directions
You’re a professional. You know how to
use a lift . But not all lift s are the same.
Training on how to use the specifi c lift in
front of you is crucial to safe lift ing.
Be sure you’ve been properly trained
and are familiar with the manufacturer’s
instructions for a lift before you use it,
By R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, President, Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)