The flimsy factory jack he was using to keep the car off the ground failed, causing Ken to become trapped between a concrete driveway and a few thousand pounds of automotive steel. That’s why safety stands … You can keep the jack under there to be on the safe side, but make sure it's not unbalancing the car in any way, or fighting against the stands. The lift had never been thoroughly examined and tested. High-quality jacks, jack stands or ramps can keep you safe whether you’re replacing a clutch or just sliding under a vehicle for a quick visual inspection. put your phone away. As one turned his back on the raised load, the other moved the gantry, which fell onto his colleagues head, killing him. What I have done in the past is put a 2in concrete pave stone under the stand. The Consumer Goods (Vehicle Support Stands) Safety Standard 2017 sets out the mandatory requirements for the supply of vehicle support stands. If you’re going to do anything under a lifted vehicle, it must be supported by jack stands. They were not following a safe system of work. Raise an axle stand up to the strong part under your vehicle. The stands will not tip if you are careful and if you are doing this on a solid surface. These are a few of the basic lifting options that most home garages need. This will give the vehicle’s jack point plenty of surface area on which to rest. This is especially important if the car’s wheels at the opposite end have been chocked or one end of the vehicle is already sitting on stands, as the car then cannot roll. This is what locks in the air, and they are a known failure point. Required fields are marked *. Make sure that the vehicle is securely settled before going underneath. Vehicles falling/rolling off incorrectly positioned jacks or stands, particularly where they are not chocked, are one of the main causes of fatal accidents in MVR. If given a load to handle and someone is required to hold or position the load while the lift truck is moving – STOP. An engine hoist or engine crane allows you to lift an entire engine out of its bay while minimizing risk to yourself or your vehicle. Never work under a vehicle on a hoist, that the safety latch is not engaged. We recommend choosing a jack rated at roughly the same capacity as the curb weight of the vehicle it is lifting. Watch for employees working in the same area. Once you have raised your vehicles, placing Jack stand under the vehicle at the appropriate points will help share the loads and provide a safety mechanism, should the jack fail. Ramps are not as versatile as jacks and jack stands, though. If unable to handle the load alone, change the load or the equipment. Instead, they provide a safe, fixed support for a raised vehicle. Ramps: Ramps are a safe alternative to jacks and jack stands because they provide large, solid points of contact that are unlikely to fail. Thus, we have consulted Holy Writ and compiled “ The Ten Commandments of Lifting Thy Chariot, ” which translates in the modern tongue, “How to lift and support your car safely.” Don’t let anyone walk under raised forks or load. In particular, you should consider the following issues (more detail can be found in HSG261). ABS helps you maintain steering control under emergency braking. If that's the case then you need to find another solid point under the car to position the stands. A vehicle inspection will give you peace of mind about the vehicle's mechanical condition and operation. Simply jack up the vehicle and lower it onto the jack stand or stands. A worker was standing at the end of a raised four post lift and pulled the car towards him. If you are using your vehicle for the first time in several weeks, following Government advice, it will need a thorough check to ensure it is roadworthy and safe. He's got the car up on stands, the wheel is under the car, and he's wearing a mask and safety glasses. A tyre fitter went to change six tyres on a school coach parked on a sloping car park. If the hoist hydraulics malfunctions while vehicle raised on hoist, with out safety latch engaged, it will fall and the safety latch will NOT engage. Be sure to lower the car onto jack stands before starting your work. Electronic safety systems Anti-lock Brakes (ABS) helps you keep control of the car in an emergency and have been a standard feature of all new cars since 2004. Don't try to adjust the ride height of air suspension for the purpose of recovery or repair. If your intention is to raise both ends, jack the diff up first and set it on stands, as the diff’s round axle tubes will more easily rotate atop the stands to account for the change in angle as the front is raised. A committed advocate for automotive media professionals, Nick is a member of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association. HSE aims to reduce work-related death, injury and ill health. Choose a floor jack with a lifting pad that’s at least two inches in diameter. Floor jacks use rubber o rings to assist in sealing the compression cylinder. Leave the jack in place as a backup support. Be sure to use bottle jacks on a strong, flat surface like a garage floor to minimize the chance of movement. If your company requires a logged inspection for liability reasons, use an app like MaintainX . Yet these safety features don’t work if they’re not engaged – so make sure you use them before starting work on the vehicle. Lifting plant and equipment can cause accidents if they are used unsafely or poorly maintained. There were no end-stops on the lift and he was unable to stop it falling off the lift onto him. There is something wrong. Tester[/b] Nick Palermo is a freelance automotive writer and NAPA Know How blogger. The unfortunate event changed his life. Don't be tempted to take short cuts or use inappropriate equipment to lift heavy items. If you need to remove a wheel to replace brake pads, for example, a ramp does you no good. It is recommended that this is done every six months. For regular lifting around the shop or garage, a quality floor jack is an essential tool. Always place wheel chocks before performing work on a raised vehicle. car jack, floor jack, garage safety, jack stands, lifting equipment, safety, shop tools, tool safety, tools. If there is no prop fitted or if one is fitted but you are unsure it will be effective, then provide your own additional support. On the front, raise it enough so a jackstand can be placed under the lower control arm so when lowered the tire is off the ground. A car fell off a two post lift, killing the mechanic working below. Once in position raise the stands to the correct height (ensuring that the locking pin/lever is in the correct place, then slowly lower the jack so the weight of the car is resting on the stand/s. Do not rock a vehicle on a lift. Jack up your vehicle to your desired working height. If you are using a trolley jack ensure that it is free to roll as the car is raised. A trainee HGV fitter, working with an experienced mechanic, was fatally crushed when an HGV slipped from a hydraulic jack. Jack the car to the desired height. This is a true story about my friend Ken. Two men were using a chain block suspended from a gantry to remove an engine from a vehicle. Vehicles must be kept safe and fit for purpose and the driver must be able to get in and out of the vehicle safely. We’ve put together this car jack and jack stands guide to help you understand the different options available for getting your vehicle off the ground. We offer Under Hoist Tripod stands similar to the ones shown here from AFF and Sunex. A couple weeks ago I heard someone on the radio show mention supporting a vehicle with four jack stands, one at each “corner”, apparently by lifting one end with a jack, placing two stands, then doing the same at the other end. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and replace consumable items, such as lifting pads, before they become unsafe, Make sure employees evenly balance the lift for different types of vehicle and where major components (eg a gearbox) have been removed - knowing where the centre of gravity is important to prevent cars falling from a vehicle lift, Additionally for two post lifts, ensure that the arm locks are fully engaged and secure and that all the lifting pads are positioned correctly before raising the vehicle to full height (see, Vehicle lifts should be thoroughly examined periodically by a competent person, who should issue a 'Report of Thorough Examination'. A mechanic was replacing a gearbox with a car raised on a hydraulic trolley jack and two wheel removal jacks. That way, it won't fall down when the weight of your vehicle is placed on it. An almost identical accident, again involving a trainee working with an experienced fitter, happened three years earlier at a different company. THINK! The arms did not lock and the lifting pads were damaged or missing. Stay up-to-date with your lift maintenance. Let's say it's time to replace the shocks. The stands can be placed under the axle or suspension arms, which are roundish solid parts. Is that too much weight for the stand? Adding Jack stands will also add stability, this provides even more safety in the event someone bumps into the vehicle … If your job is replacing a muffler, though, ramps are ideal. These jacks are typically designed to be small and lightweight, ideal for a minor roadside emergency but little else. The jacking point is an indentation under the vehicle, where it's structurally strong enough to take the force of a jack. Cleaning/degreasing substances including valeting, Harmful dusts - Inhalation and Dermatitis risks, Safety in the use of two-post vehicle lifts, Measuring paint spray booth clearance time, Repair or recovery of buses and coaches fitted with air suspension, Make sure lifting equipment is correctly installed, Maintain lifting equipment and train operators to use it correctly, Check equipment regularly and get it inspected, Defective locking devices identified on modern 2-post lifts, Risk of vehicles falling off two-post vehicle lifts in motor vehicle repair (MVR), Safe recovery (and repair) of buses and coaches fitted with air suspension, Work equipment and machinery - free leaflets, Make sure there are safe working procedures in place when moving heavy loads, particularly when they are raised, Use the correct pins for axle stands - screwdrivers, nails and bolts are not acceptable, Use stands on a hard, level surface eg concrete and avoid lifting on sloping ground, Securely chock wheels remaining on the ground, Make sure that all lifting points for jacks and stands are correct for that vehicle - consult the vehicle manufacturer's handbook for guidance, Ensure that vehicles are always properly supported - do not rely on jacks alone, Once installed, the lift must be tested before it is used by a competent person, who will issue a certificate, Regularly check the fixing bolts with a torque wrench to ensure they remain tight, Vehicle lifts need to be kept in good order. 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Because bottle jacks usually have a smaller footprint than floor jacks, though, they may not be as stable. Your email address will not be published. The trolley jack is used to raise the vehicle and axle stands are placed at the points on your vehicles body to support it in the raised position. The charts below outlines some popular car jacks, ramps, jack stands and other lifting equipment available from NAPA AUTO PARTS. While your vehicle may be equipped with a jack, it was never designed to be used for anything but an emergency. They should be placed under the vehicle axle or frame to provide additional support for an elevated car. Jack stands: Jack stands may be the most overlooked safety equipment items in a DIY garage. Bottle jacks: Bottle jacks are more compact than floor jacks and are often rated for heavier weights than similarly priced floor jacks. Axle stands were available but not used. Automotive expertise from NAPA AUTO PARTS. Place the jack under the part of the vehicle that it should contact when raised. Jack stands are important tools that keep a vehicle propped up after having used a floor jack, like a scissor jack or a hydraulic jack, to lift a vehicle.Once the vehicle is lifted enough to fit the jack stands on a solid part of the car underneath it, like the chassis, they can be carefully fitted and tested by hand for sturdiness, at which point the jack can be removed. Otherwise, the results could be disastrous. If you do a lot of heavy wrenching, a specialty lift is a great way to get the job done quickly and safely. Failure to do this may cause the vehicle to slip off the jack. The car slipped from the supports, crushing and killing him. Always prop cabs, trailers etc that could drop under their own weight. For more information on working under buses and coaches fitted with air suspension see Safe recovery (and repair) of buses and coaches fitted with air suspension. Our huge range of Safety Signs are designed to meet local and government regulations and we supply sign products to schools, construction, & building, warehouse, office and workplace environments. The vehicle should be raised on solid ground, and you must not go under the vehicle until it is supported on stands, AND lowered onto those stands. Never crawl beneath a vehicle fitted with air suspension unless it is properly supported. A mechanic by trade, Ken was wrenching on a personal vehicle in the driveway one weekend when he became a victim of a nightmarish scene. *Add closed height to lift distance to determine total raised height. Ken suffered serious injury to his back, and it literally took him months to get back on his feet. No supplementary supports were used. If you place your jack incorrectly, you can injure your car. If you're using jack stands, place them near the jack. These normally require a bit of prep for installation, but can be well worth the expense due to the convenience factor. It's much bigger than the base of the stand, and is flat against the ground and the top surface is flat for the stand to sit on. When the time comes to remove them, raise the vehicle slightly with a jack, remove the jack stands and lower the vehicle. i would hate for it to crack and drop the stand to the ground with me under the car. © Copyright National Automotive Parts Association. Beta This is a new way of showing guidance - your feedback will help us improve it. Position the safety stands under the factory lift points along the sides of your vehicle, or under an axle, control arm, subframe or frame. Check out all the tools & equipment available on NAPA Online or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA AutoCare locations for routine maintenance and repairs. A transmission jack slides neatly under the transmission to safely drop it from a vehicle. And if you need stands that really get your car high in the air for an extended project, four AFF 10-ton Single Jack Stands can support a total of 10 tons each. There are saddle shaped tops on jack stands, which are designed to support the vehicle axle. Making sure a forklift is functioning as it should it the vital first step in ensuring employee safety. Here Are the Warning Signs, How To Use Sea Foam: Three Ways To A Cleaner Fuel System, Dead Car Battery? Always place the safety pin in your jack stand, or else the vehicle could fall on top of you while you're underneath it. Since becoming an auto news and reviews contributor at AutoTrader.com in 2011, he has broadened his coverage of the automotive industry to include topics like new car technology, antiques and classics, DIY maintenance and repair, industry news and motorsports. On the rear, raise the vehicle enough so that the jackstands sit under the rear axle and when lowered the tires are off the ground. Health and Safety Executive Working safely under motor vehicles being repaired Check equipment regularly and get it inspected A worker was standing at the end of a raised four-post lift and pulled the car towards him. Floor jacks: A jack that comes with a vehicle’s spare tire changing kit is not suitable for use in other applications. Both rear nearside wheels and one offside wheel had been removed and he was in the process of jacking it up when it fell onto his head and chest, killing him. Do not stand directly in front of a vehicle being driven onto a rack or lift, or into a wash or lube bay. To keep your car hoist in the best condition, there are different maintenance and safety checks you should perform every day, every week, and each month. Your email address will not be published. Use a pair of jack stands every time you lift a vehicle and you will vastly decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of a falling vehicle. Motor Vehicle Safety Facts. The mandatory standard is based on certain sections of the voluntary Australian Standard, AS 2538:2016 Vehicle Support Stands (available from SAI Global). Vehicle Safety Checks. The accident was totally preventable, though. Otherwise, the results could be disastrous. Tip: If you plan to remove your tires, loosen the lug nuts slightly while the car is still on the ground. Before going underneath, place jack stands under appropriate parts of the vehicle and lower the vehicle onto the stands. Make sure the floor and fixings meet the lift manufacturer's specification - if in doubt get specialist advice! A floor jack has wheels and will slide as the lifting arm extends. Specialty lifting equipment: Special equipment helps DIYers and pros alike more safely and easily perform specific jobs. Once things get a bit more serious it may be worth investing in a 2-post lift or a 4-post lift. For example, a 4,000 pound (two ton) SUV would need a two ton jack. Use a pair of jack stands every time you lift a vehicle and you will vastly decrease the likelihood of becoming a victim of a falling vehicle. That’ll keep the wheels from spinning while you turn the lug wrench once the car’s raised. An HGV recovery fitter was crushed to death under the air-lifted axle of a tractor unit he was attempting to rescue from the roadside. Instead, they provide a safe, fixed support for a raised vehicle. Use safety stands to … If you are able to place the axle stand at the jacking point that would be ideal but quite often there won't be room for both the jack and the stand. Smart lifting practices are a must to ensure the safety of anyone working underneath a vehicle. After you’ve observed all the safety precautions, follow these steps to jack up a vehicle: Place the jack under the part of the vehicle that it should contact when raised. All Rights Reserved. Once a vehicle is jacked up the stands are put in place and the vehicle is lowered onto the stands. Under health and safety legislation, a vehicle is a place of work. There were no end-stops on the lift and he was unable to stop the car falling off the lift onto him. Raise or lower the stands as needed to achieve the desired undercar clearance, then lower the jack until the weight of the vehicle is resting on the stands. Extend the height of the jacks to support the weight of the vehicle. Safe Vehicle Lifting: Car Jack and Jack Stands Guide, NAPA Lifting Equipment 3.5-ton Floor Jack, Owatonna Tool Company 3-ton Jack Stands (pair), NAPA Lifting Equipment 4-ton Jack Stands (pair), Failing Oil Pressure Sensor? For more information on buying the right jack and jack stands, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA AUTO PARTS store. Do not lower the lift to rest on supporting jacks. Don't work beneath a vehicle with air suspension unless you prop it first. Use jack stands with a bottle jack just as you would with a floor jack. Once the front is lifted, position and adjust the jack stands under the main frame, bulk head or pinch welds of the vehicle. Stands should only be used on hard and level surfaces and only for the vehicles that are within the … 1st March 2018 While you won’t be lifting the entire vehicle at once with the jack, it leaves a healthy safety margin. Do not work on the vehicle while it is being raised or lowered. Although this should identify problems, it is not a replacement for regular in-house checks and maintenance (in the same way that you shouldn't rely on an MOT to keep your vehicle in good order), Other lifting equipment (eg trolley and bottle jacks, engine hoist, vehicle mounted cranes) should be similarly examined every twelve months by a competent person (and Report of Thorough Examination issued), Lifting accessories (eg chains and web slings) should be examined every six months by a competent person (and Report of Thorough Examination issued), Other equipment which are critical for safely supporting loads such as props (for cabs and trailers) and axle stands should be inspected every 12 months by a competent person, Make sure the ground if firm and level before raising a vehicle, If the area is unsuitable then move the vehicle to a safer place before any attempt is made to lift it to undertake any repairs. Jack stands do not lift vehicles. Place a safety pin inside the axle stand, if your axle stands have them. Jack stands: Jack stands may be the most overlooked safety equipment items in a DIY garage. This 1967 Ford Mustang is safely lifted up high and allows serious work to be done easily. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. They can turn on top of the jackstands as the car lifts. Traction Control Brake Pad Use: What’s Eating Up Your Brakes On The Track? He told me he mustered some previously unknown strength to lift a corner of the car off of himself and slide out from under it. The law requires that workplaces are maintained in a condition that is safe and without risk to safety and health. 22. Jack stands do not lift vehicles. Our jack and jack stands buyer’s guide explains how to choose lifting equipment that’s right for your needs. Vehicles falling/rolling off incorrectly positioned jacks or stands, particularly where they are not chocked, are one of the main causes of fatal accidents in MVR. Working beneath a vehicle is often required to check for faults, servicing and repairs etc but because these tasks are so common people get used to working under potentially lethal weights. Unfortunately, serious and fatal accidents happen every year even though the dangers and precautions are well known.  You must always use the right equipment for the job. Once you've changed the height of the stand, put the safety pin attached to the stand through the hole at the base to secure it place. Motor Vehicle Safety Symposium. Forklifts also are classed as work equipment. OSHA Fact Sheet. Ken yelled for help, but no one came to help him. Raise the vehicle one corner at a time. If you're using jack stands, place them near the jack. 7. OSHA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), (2004). On older style in ground hoists there is usually only one safety latch. Because a floor jack is on wheels, it will roll into a sturdy position as the car rises. He died in hospital from crush injuries. If you’re using jack stands, place them near the jack. Due to permanent injuries, he could no longer make a living working on cars. Selling to both Trade and public, we manufacturer our Signs in-house and offer a 5 year warranty against cracking and fading and a money back guarantee on our products. Jack and support a car If the vehicle wobbles, stop immediately and reposition the problem jack stand before crawling under the vehicle. Never go under a vehicle that is supported only by a jack. As long as the stands are put under the car properly with all the legs on the ground and placed where the car can't slide/rock (I suggest using a part … There are some repairs and maintenance items that can only be done from underneath a vehicle. 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Say it 's time to replace brake pads, for example, a 4,000 pound ( two ton SUV... Friend ken before going underneath ramps, jack stands, place them why should safety stands be placed under a raised vehicle the.! Peace of mind about the vehicle if the vehicle while it is lifting way to in... No longer make a living working on cars recovery or repair you peace of mind the! Curb weight of the vehicle is placed on it t be lifting the entire vehicle at once the!