Vehicle Lift Safety
Operator’s Instruction, Inspection &
Maintenance
Why we need Lift Safety
To prevent injury and death
Because it’s the law
Majority of accidents are operator error
To get respect and maintain respect for
the lift
Accidents are becoming more common
YOU HAVE A FEW THOUSAND LBS
OVER YOUR HEAD
Types of Lifts
Surface Mount
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2 Post
4 Post
Parallelogram
Scissor
Mid-rise
Mobile Column
In ground
 Single Post with
swing arms
 Dual Post with swing
arms
 Fore and Aft
 Single-double-triple
 Adjustable Posts
Lift Descriptions2 Post Lifts
 Most popular
 Inexpensive
 Easy access to
removable parts on
vehicles
2 Post Lift Types
 Cable Equalized
 Hydraulic Equalized
 Chain Equalized
 Lift Cable (One Cylinder)
 Mechanical (Screw Type)
• Overhead Beam
• Base Plate Bump-over
Cable / chain equalized
 Cables / chain are attached
from the top of one carriage to
the bottom of the other
 Properly adjusted: the cables
/ chain, force the lift to raise
and lower equally even if the
weight differs from side to
side
 Many moving parts
 High Maintenance design
 Most popular 2 post design

Animation courtesy of Girolift USA www.girolift.net
Hydraulic Synchronized
 Fluid on top side of main ram
flows to offside ram in a
closed hydraulic system
(blue)
 Power unit pumps oil into the
bottom of main side cylinder
 Rams are different in size and
mathematically designed to
distribute the exact amount of
fluid to raise both sides
equally
 Low maintenance design
 Very few moving parts

Animation courtesy of Girolift USA www.girolift.net
Symmetric Lifts
Symmetric
 Posts are parallel
 Arms are usually the
same length
 Car’s centre of
gravity is positioned
approximately at
midpoint of the lift
Asymmetric
Asymmetric
 Posts are tilted
approximately
30degrees for easier
access to car doors
 Short arms in the front
 Car’s center of gravity is
positioned further rear
Safety Features of 2 Posts
1) Owner’s Manual
2) ALI Literature, Lifting point guide, ANSI/ALI
ALOIM Current Standard, Lifting it Right
3) Locking Latches
4) Arm Restraints
5) Overhead Limit Switch
6) Emergency Electrical Shut-off
7) Pressure Relief Valve
8) Hydraulic Fuse
Owners Manual
 Should be present when lift is
delivered
 Has manufacturer contact
information
 Has proper maintenance
procedures
 Shows parts list and operation
procedures
 To be READ! from cover to
cover
 Any question you have with
the content of the manual or
the lift can be answered by
the manufacturer.
WHAT IS A.L.I.
 The Automotive Lift Institute, Inc.
 ALI’s mission is to promote the safe design,
construction, installation, service, and use of
automotive lifts.
 ALI has set the standard for automotive lift
manufacturers
 ALI certifies the construction of lifts
 The only specialized organization of its kind
 For more info Visit www.autolift.org
The ALI Gold Label
 Certified Automotive
Lift
 ETL Listed
 Conforms to ANSI/UL
Standards
 3rd Party Tested
 Manufacturer is a ALI
Member
ALI Literature
 ANSI/ALI ALOIM
(current) The
standard for
Automotive lifts
 Safety requirements
For The Operation,
Inspection And
Maintenance
ALI Literature
 Vehicle Lifting Points
(Current)
 Quick Reference
Guide
 Too be used to look
up proper lifting
points for frame
engaging lifts
ALI Literature
 Lifting It Right
 A Safety manual
from the Automotive
Lift Institute
 Describes types of
lifts
 Properly spotting a
vehicle
 Safety procedures
ALI Literature
 Automotive Lift
Safety Tips Placard
 To be posted on
every lift where the
operator can see
them.
 Generic list of safety
tips for use with all
Automotive lifts
ALI Literature
 Safety Decal
 Used to illustrate
hazards
 To be placed in a
spot where it is
visible to the
operator
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Locking Latches
 A mechanical device that
latches the lifting
carriage to the post by
using a spring loaded
locking dog and locking
ladder
 A Load holding device
 Not a back-up in case of
failure
To be used EVERY time the
hoist goes up
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Arm Restraints: (Not A
Arm Lock)
 Designed to hold the arm in
place before it makes
contact with the vehicle
(not to hold the arm out
when the vehicle’s weight is
on it).
 An Arm Restraints job is
over when the lift makes
contact with the vehicle
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Overhead Limit Switch
Will shut the hoist off when the roof of the
vehicle makes contact with it.
 Do not rely on it to determine when to
stop or use as an automatic stop
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Emergency
Electrical Shutoff / Disconnect
 Should be a twist
plug connection or
switch / breaker
within reach of the
operator
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Pressure Relief Valve
 Located within the power unit
 Factory set to bypass when you over exceed the lift’s
weight limit
 Not to be relied on as a capacity gage
A Power unit is NOT a load holding device. A
power unit it used to raise the lift. The locking
latches are used to load hold.
Description of Safety
Features for 2 Post Lifts
Hydraulic Fuse
Normally located at the base of the
cylinder
Designed to lock out it’s device
when there is a sudden spike in
pressure
Lift Descriptions4 Post:
 Runways (no arms)
 Can be equipped with
rolling jacks
 Used mainly for
Alignments, Undercoating,
& Oil Changes
Types of 4 Post Lifts
 Chain Lift
 Cable Lift
 Fully Hydraulic
Safety Features of 4 Posts
 Owner’s Manual
 ALI Literature
 Primary Locking Latches
 Secondary Locking Latches
 Wheel chocks
 Emergency Electrical Shut-Off
 Pressure Relief Valve
 Hydraulic Fuse
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Posts
Primary Locking Latches
 Usually one on each post
 Normally single point release (air
activated)
 Not to be used every time the hoist goes
up
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Posts
Secondary Locking Latches
 Equipped on most 4 posts
 Will engage if chain or cable becomes slack
Wheel chocks
 to prevent vehicle rolling. To be used in sets of
two every time a vehicle is placed on a lift using
runways
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Posts
Emergency Electrical Shut-Off
Pressure Relief Valve
&
Hydraulic Fuse
 Same descriptions as for the 2 Post
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Post Lifts
Emergency Electrical Shut-off /
Disconnect
Should be a twist plug connection or
switch / breaker within reach of the
operator
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Post Lifts
Pressure Relief Valve
Located within the power unit
Factory set to bypass when you over
exceed the lift’s weight limit
Not to be relied on as a capacity gauge
Is the power unit on your lift its original?
Description of Safety
Features for 4 Post Lifts
Hydraulic Fuse
Normally located at the base of the
cylinder
Designed to lock out it’s device
when there is a sudden spike in
pressure
Lift DescriptionsScissor Lifts, Parallelogram,
& Mid-Rise:
Low maintenance
Good for heavy lifting
Used for alignments, lube rack,
undercoating
Can be equipped with rolling jacks
Usually has one cylinder on each side
Lift DescriptionsScissor Lifts, Parallelogram,
& Mid-Rise:
 Scissor lift lifts straight
 Parallelogram lifts up but also moves
back or forward a couple of feet
Safety Features of
Scissor Lifts, Parallelogram,
& Mid-Rise:
 Locking Latches located on the floor with a foot pedal
release and / or air/electrical operated lock release
 Hydraulic Fuses
 Equalized hydraulically / electronically or fastened
together
Mobile Column Lift
Lift DescriptionsMobile Column or
Wheel-Engaging:
Used for heavy lifting
Can be used in sets of 2,4,6 and on
Mechanical screw types
Fully hydraulic
Usually equalized (visually) by the
operator
Lift DescriptionsIn-Ground:
 Used for heavy lifting
 No obstructions
 Cleaner shop
 Low maintenance
Safety Features of InGround
 Newer models have locks and nonrotates
 Locking Latches, manual pin, air/electric/
manual operated locks, inner safety leglocking dog
 Most swing arm models do not have arm
restraints
Properly Lifting
A Vehicle
Center of gravity
 Every vehicle has a different centre of gravity
 Ex.. rear wheel drive vehicles are heavier in
the rear this differs the centre of gravity from a
front wheel drive vehicle
 Rear wheel drive vehicles centre of gravity is
usually spotted under the drivers seat where as
a front wheel drive vehicles centre of gravity is
usually spotted under the steering wheel
 The vehicles center of gravity is ALWAYS to be
spotted midway between the front and rear
arms on a two post lift.
Center Of Gravity
 The center of gravity
of a vehicle with the
engine in the rear is
totally different from
a vehicle with its
engine in the front
 Always check the
trunk of a car or the
back of a truck or
van for a load
This Lotus Elise flipped when the tech
removed its front wheel
2 Post Operation
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Inspect your lift
Make sure bay is free of debris, tools
Ensure that arms of lift are out of the way
Check vehicle’s weight with hoist
capacity
 Look-up vehicle’s lifting points
 If all above is good, drive car into bay
2 Post Operation con’t
 Check lifting points to make sure vehicle is in
good enough condition to be lifted
 Position all 4 arms on manufacturer’s lifting
points. Use adapters if applicable.
 Raise lift until pads are 1-2” from vehicle
 Re-check lifting points
 Lift vehicle until tires are aprox 1’ off the ground
 Re-check lifting points
 Go to back of vehicle and shake moderately
2 Post Operation con’t
 Re-check lifting points
 Raise vehicle to desired working height
 Lower to Locking Latches (use stands if
possible)
 Perform work
If you need to do any heavy pulling,
hammering, or prying, or if you are removing or
installing a major component of the vehicle,
use appropriately rated jack stands.
Jack stands / Supports
 To be used in sets of four whenever
possible
 Make sure stands have a high enough
capacity rating
 DO NOT LOWER VEHICLE TO STANDS
 Always heighten the stands to height of
vehicle that is currently on the primary
safety latches.
2 Post Operation con’t
 When job is completed check for tools,
debris, stands, transmission jacks etc..
left behind
 Raise lift off latches, release latches, and
lower the lift
 Re-position arm to “home position”
 Remove or lower adapters if applicable
 Drive off
Maintenance &
Inspection
Maintenance & Inspection
Your lift has many components to allow it to
work safely and properly.
Knowing these components, inspecting
these components, and maintaining
these components will reduce your risk of
injury and death.
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Cables and Chains:
 Check cables for frays, kinks, crushing, bird caging, heat damage
or rust
 While wearing a leather glove, run a rag down the cable, the rag
will grab frays that may not be visible to the eye
 Check end attachments for wear, damage, cracks and
deformations
 Equalizing cables have to be adjusted properly. With the lift on the
locks adjust the cables so they are taught and have equal tension
on each side (locking latches should engage at the same time
when cables are adjusted properly.
 Any question consult your lift repair specialist
Common Cable Failure
Chain (only as strong as the
weakest link)

Check chains for rust, glazing,
cracks, twist, elongation & separation

Chain wear should be checked where chain runs on
load sprocket or roller

Check the fittings or master links make sure fasteners
are in place.
If you see any wear or have any question Consult your lift
repair specialist
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Hydraulics:
 Check hoses, fittings & cylinders for leaks,
wear and cracks
Locking Latches:
 Check that they fully engage & fully
disengage
 Check for wear and cracks
 Check their fasteners
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Arms and Pads:
 All 4 arms are within ½” of being level
 Check operation of the arm restraints, check
for wear on gear and teeth
 Check that the arm limit stops are working (i.e.
see if they can be pulled out- they shouldn’t)

Check arm pins for play
 If equipped with rubber pads check for cuts
and tears
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Electrical System:
 Visually check
 Test that safety shut-off is working
 Test to ensure overhead limit switch working
Anchor:
 Check concrete around bases for cracks
 Torque anchor bolts to manufactures specs,
(usually 90-150 ft/lbs)
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Flashing:
 Check posts for rust or damage (especially at
bottom of post where water lays)
 Inspect carriage inside post- slider blocks or
carriage rollers
 Check chains, cables, fasteners on each end
Hardware:
 Check bolts and fasteners for tightness
Maintenance & InspectionComponents to Check:
Power Unit:
 Max out power unit by putting hoist up all the
way to show oil leaks. (maxing out hydraulic
system simulates maximum capacity)
 Make sure you have all literature ex ALI Lifting
it Right, Lifting points guide, ANSI/ALI ALOIM
National Standard, ALI Safety Tips placard.
 Look for capacity rating, safety decals owner’s
manual and operator instruction
 Make sure your lift has been inspected by a lift
service specialist within the year (minimum)
Lowering Speed
 Restrictions in the lowering valve control the lowering
speed
 After you have inspected your lift you can position a
vehicle on the lift of a appropriate weight.
 To check the lowering speed of your lift raise a vehicle
to the top of your lifts rise (commonly 68” or 5’ 6”)
 It should take 15-20 seconds to lower a vehicle from 6’
 The standard lowering speed is 20 feet per
second
When Should
You Inspect
Your Lift?
When should you inspect
your lift?
 The operator should visually inspect their lift
every day before lifting a vehicle. Who knows
what the last mechanic over ridded or jury
rigged.
 The operator should document a physical
inspection weekly
 The operator will perform monthly maintenance
and inspection monthly
 Continued…….
When should you inspect
your lift?
 Your lift has to be inspected by a qualified lift repair specialist
yearly in most States and Provinces. This is the minimum, semi
yearly or quarterly is a better practice and becoming more and
more popular.
 Make sure your lift service specialist is:
 Factory trained by a major manufacturer: make them supply
certificates
 Insured : usually 2 million liability minimum on company and all
vehicles
 In good standing with Workers Compensation Board (Canada)
 Competent and knowledgeable. Your lift repair specialist should
have all your answers to any lift related questions you have.
Overview
 Primary locking latches are to be used every
time the lift goes up.
 Vehicle manufacturer recommend lifting points
are the ONLY lifting points to be used
 Never over load your lift
 Never use a damaged lift
 Never lift a vehicle with someone inside the
vehicle or someone underneath
Overview
 Never override or jury rig self closing controls
 Always position vehicles centre of gravity in the
mid point between two arms
 Use appropriate rated stands whenever
possible and ALWAYS when removing /
installing major vehicle components
 Proper positioning of pads and adapters is key
in lifting a vehicle safely and surely
 GET OUT OF THE WAY if a vehicle is in
danger of falling
Overview
 Lifts are dangerous pieces of equipment
respect the maintenance, inspection and
operation procedures associated with the
Manufacturers supplied operators
manual.
 Only trained operators are authorized to
use automotive lifts.
Overview
If you have paid attention to the course thus far
you are now knowledgeable about the safety
devices and maintenance of the most common
automotive lifts. This is a generic course and
cannot cover all types and all devices however
if you have any questions regarding the safety
and or maintenance of a specific automotive lift
please contact us from the homepage and we
will get you the answer you need.
Exam
 You are now ready to write your exam and
become a trained operator of a automotive lift
 There will be 25 multiple choice questions
followed by a short survey
You will need a mark of 85% or better to pass the
exam. If you feel you need to go over the
course again before you write the test please
do so. Your confidence in operating and
maintaining your lift safely is our main concern
at Autoliftsafety.com
GOOD LUCK AND LIFT SAFE!