Lift Inspection and Safety

Auto Repair & Workplace Safety

Auto repair is a popular and lucrative profession– there are more than 700,000 mechanics in the United States today. However, the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics (USBLS) states that our industry is 14 times more likely to suffer injury or fatality in the workplace than the average worker. The USBLS found that in 2005 mechanics and service technicians were fourteenth on the likelihood of workplace fatalities. In USBLS’s latest study, in 2014 to 2016 workplace related fatalities increased by 34%. The scary thing is that there may be unreported instances that increase this statistic drastically. Together, these work related injuries cost auto repair businesses roughly $1,100 per injury and $1.5 million per death.

How to Prevent Auto Repair Workplace Injuries

How can you prevent yourself or your mechanics from assuming additional liability? The answer is actually simpler than you may think. Look towards ALI, also known as the Auto Lift Institute:

ALI founded in 1945 is an auto lift certification group that is currently credentialed by the American National Standards Institute. ALI’s mission is to promote the safe design, construction, installation, inspection, and use of automotive lifts. ALI specializes in certifying people to inspect your lifts. It is recognized by the American National Service Institute as a recommended certification program for you and your lifts. It would save you on insurance and keep your customers vehicles and you safe from any accidents.

Getting your lifts certified and inspected will ensure the safety of you and your mechanics. Allowing for less headaches and potential liability issues.

Steps to Reduce Repair Shop Safety Risks

• Examining all accessible structural components, including welds, for any evidence of overloading, misuse or abuse.
• Examining electrical components and wiring.
• Checking the lift controls to ensure accessibility, an unobstructed view of the lift and an automatic return to the neutral or “off ” position when released.
• Locating appropriate lift documentation, safety instructions, vehicle-lifting information, lift safety labeling and capacity labeling.
• Confirming adequate clearances around the lift.
• Checking all fastening devices for tightness and proper fit.
• An annual lift inspection includes a thorough evaluation of the entire vehicle lift.
• Checking the lowering speed over the full down travel of the lift.
• Operating the lift through its full cycle and checking the operation of the positive stop. Checking to see if the lift locks engage in the fully extended position.
• Checking all lubrication points for cleanliness, integrity of fitting and presence of lubricant.
• Checking all chains and cables for excessive slack.
• Checking all potential pinch points. The standard is just the starting point.  Every lift manufacturer should provide specific directions for inspecting each of its lifts.
• ALI Certified Lift Inspectors are qualified to inspect any brand or model of vehicle lift

Contact us for a lift inspection and set up an appointment.