The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued a safety notice following a fatal incident when using a BendPak XPR series two-post vehicle lift.
This safety alert is particularly directed at the users of these vehicle lifts in the motor vehicle repair industry.
Following the investigation, the HSE found that some of the lifts by that manufacturer have the wrong bolts installed in the arm restraint gear ring. According to the regulator, the bolts should be class 8.8, where it was found that the lift's arm is attached using unmarked bolts or marked 4.8, which is not sufficient and may result in a major incident, including the vehicle falling from the lift.
Action required
The users of the BendPak two-post lifts should urgently check the bolts in the arm restraint gear, if there are any 4.8 or unmarked bolts (this should be clearly marked on the bolt head). If you have 8.8 class bolts installed, then ensure these are tightened to the correct torque of 45NM (or 33 ft/lb).
If you find that the bolts in the lift are not suitable, contact the lift supplier to get replacement parts. If the lift does not have a minimum class of 8.8 bolts for all arm gear bolted connections (or it does not have the redesigned arm restraint gear) take immediate action to replace them, and do not use the lift unless the necessary replacements were made by a competent person, in line with the requirements of the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations SI 1998/2307.
Following the necessary replacements, the vehicle lifts should be inspected and maintained in line with the manufacturer's instructions, including monthly checks on the tightness of all bolted connections to ensure they are correctly torqued.
For more information on this subject, see:
