Vehicle Lift Inspection Guidelines

Service station and automotive shop owners understand how important it is for the performance and prosperity of their businesses to be well-equipped with high quality vehicle lifts. However, this piece of equipment can also be one of the biggest safety hazardous of a facility if not properly operated and maintained. This is why industry standards stipulate that vehicle lift inspections be scheduled annually by a trained professional as well as be periodically checked by someone on the premises throughout the year. Below are some basic guidelines and knowledge to consider when it comes to your lift inspection.

Importance of Regular Inspections

Regular vehicle lift inspections are necessary for several reasons. As mentioned above, safety is a major point of concern in environments that are consistently utilizing lifts. Operators run the risk of facing serious injury when dangerous situations arise, such as lifts that come crashing down or falling debris. Keeping employees, consumers and cars adequately protected is dependent on facility owners staying up on routine inspections.

Examinations also ensure that the efficiency of lifts are upheld so that mechanics are able to continue doing their jobs productively with minimal downtime. In addition, lifts are an investment for any service station or automotive shop and can produce a significant return over time, but in order to capitalize on this and maximize their lifetime, they must be used and cared for appropriately.

Finding a Certified Inspector

Since vehicle lift inspections are such a crucial responsibility that cannot be neglected, the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has dedicated themselves as an organization to improve the safety conditions of facilities that use lift equipment by offering a certification program for inspectors that require them to study training materials, pass an exam and gain hands-on experience in the field.

Once candidates have successfully gone through all the steps, service station and shop owners may benefit from this program to find inspectors that they can count on to be qualified and certified to perform accurate inspections. This takes the burden and challenge out of trying to verify the capabilities of someone who claims to be right for the job.

Inspection Checklist

Though each vehicle lift and facility will have their own requirements for inspection, there are certain actions that are imperative to the process for making it as effective and thorough as possible. This checklist should include, but is definitely not limited to:

• The analysis of all structural components for evidence of misuse or overloading.
• A review of all electrical components and wiring.
• The observance of tightness and fit where fastening mechanisms are used and the need for lubrication at all corresponding points.
• The confirmation that safety labels and instructions are easily accessible.
• A checkup on lift controls and lowering speed.

After all essential points have been inspected, the lift should be operated through its complete cycle to establish that it is in correct working order.

It’s always critical to cautiously examine the manufacturer’s vehicle lift inspection, maintenance and installation recommendations and employ a trustworthy inspector when trying to run a profitable and safe service station or automotive shop.