A vehicle hoist is a hoisting device which raises an entire vehicle above ground for the purpose of providing personnel access for convenient under chassis examination or service, but does not include vehicle jacks, trolley jacks, vehicle rollover equipment, passenger vehicle stackers or vehicle relocation trolleying equipment.

Hazards

Vehicle hoist operations may present a risk of injury to workers and other people from:

  • failure of lifting equipment causing crush injuries or fatalities.
  • moving vehicles on and off hoists also presents potential hazards.

Vehicle jacks require experience in their placement before use to minimise risk to the operator and their associated risks include:

  • the sudden fall of vehicles due to overbalancing
  • incorrect use of jacking points
  • poor maintenance
  • leaking hydraulic fluid
  • use of jacks on surfaces that are not level or firm.

Vehicle ramps and stands can present risks when ramps and stands are poorly placed, unsuitable for the work involved (e.g. load capacity), used on unstable/uneven surfaces, or poorly stored and maintained (creating weaknesses).

Safety requirements

Safety requirements for vehicle hoists

  • prominently display equipment operating and maintenance instructions, as well as the safe working load.
  • ensure workers are trained and follow SOPs.
  • ensure workers do not work under a suspended load without checking that safety features are engaged and operating correctly.
  • ensure moving parts of the hoist or its load are located at least 600mm away from any other fixed structure or equipment that moves (to avoid worker entrapment).
  • ensure operator controls are undamaged, clearly marked and positioned for effective, safe use.
  • ensure the dropper bar (safety prop) is fitted to any in-ground, hydraulic, ram-type hoist.
  • never exceed the hoist’s Working Load Limit.
  • ensure vehicles are balanced before lifting.
  • ensure exclusion zones are in in place, so customers aren’t put in harm’s way.
  • ensure emergency stop buttons are functional.
  • use lock-out/tag-out procedures for maintenance.

Use the vehicle hoist self-assessment tool to help workplaces identify risks.

Safety requirements for vehicle jacks

Prominently display equipment operating and maintenance instructions, as well as the safe working load.

Train operators in the correct and safe use of equipment.

Ensure:

  • jacks are based on a firm, level and secure surface (preferably concrete)
  • vehicle stands are used when a vehicle is raised, and wheels are chocked
  • nobody remains in a vehicle that is being jacked
  • nobody places any portion of their body under a vehicle supported by a jack.

Safety requirements for vehicle ramps and stands

Clearly mark ramps and stands with rated safe working load. Conduct pre-operational inspections daily.

Train operators in the correct and safe use of equipment.

Ensure:

  • axle stands are based on a solid, level and secure surface (preferably concrete).
  • vehicles are secured on ramps to prevent movement (eg use of handbrake, wheel chocks etc).
  • stand heights are not adjusted when they are bearing weight.
  • only use ramps and stands in pairs.
  • vehicles are slowly driven onto ramps or stands with guidance from another person outside the vehicle.

High Risk Work Licence

A person who operates a vehicle hoist, jack, ramp or stand does not require a high risk work licence to operate the hoist.

Registration

Vehicle hoists require design registration but not plant item registration.

Hoists that are manually powered do not require registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

The vehicle hoist can be designed to any internationally recognised published technical standard with the following documents being required for the registration of the plant design:

  • each model must have a separate design registration application form.
  • statement signed by the designer of the plant stating:
  • the designer has complied with their obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act.
  • the published technical standards and engineering principles used in the design.
  • design calculations and drawing(s) in English, as referenced in the designer's statement
  • an independent design verification statement.
  • payment of the fee which lasts for the life of the design (payable on completion of the online application).

Note:

  • design registration applies to all plant items manufactured to the same design.
  • design registration is valid for the life of the plant.
  • manufacturers, importers, and suppliers of plant are prohibited from supplying plant unless the design of that plant is registered.
  • design registration in SA is not required if the plant design is registered in another state under a corresponding WHS law (WHS Act 2012 (SA)).
  • any alteration to the design of registered plant that may affect health, and safety requires an alteration to its design registration.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures

Inspection and maintenance for vehicle hoists

Inspections on the vehicle hoist shall be carried out at sufficient frequency to ensure it is kept in a safe and satisfactory condition and carried out in conformance with AS 2550.1 and AS 2550.9.

A maintenance program which includes inspections, servicing and repairs shall be implemented to keep the hoist in a safe working condition. The program shall take into account the effects of the working environment, the frequency of use and the masses of vehicles being raised.

Note: If the masses of the majority of vehicles raised are close to the rated capacity, the frequency of inspection may have to be increased.

Inspections, servicing and repairs shall be undertaken in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Types of inspections vary from pre-operational inspections to enhanced critical inspections. The work under maintenance shall include the inspection of all critical items, which include safety critical mechanical components, safety critical structural members and safety critical systems.

  1. Pre-operational inspection: before use, or at the commencement of each working shift, the hoist shall be given a visual inspection and functional test.
    1. Routine inspection: including applicable lubrication and adjustments, shall be carried out in accordance with the maintenance program or at every three months.
    2. Periodic inspection: hoists shall be inspected periodically at intervals based on the effects of the working environment and frequency of use. The inspection interval shall not exceed one year.

Inspections for vehicle jacks

Vehicle jacks must have a regular inspection and maintenance schedule:

  • conduct pre-operational equipment inspections (e.g. look for hydraulic leaks).
  • inspect and maintain the jack at least every 3 months, in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions, to ensure it can be used effectively.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to AS 2550.9 and WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

SafeWork SA

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 - Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS 1418.1: Cranes, hoists and winches: Part 1: General requirements
  • AS 1418.9: Cranes, hoists and winches - Vehicle hoists
  • AS 2550.1: Cranes, hoists and winches – Safe use: General requirements
  • AS 2550.9: Cranes, hoists and winches – Vehicle hoists
  • AS 2538: Vehicle support stands
  • AS 2640: Portable ramps for vehicles
  • AS/NZS 3000: Australian wiring rules

Codes of Practice

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