Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries

Figure 56 Purpose-built
lorry ramp
Health and Safety
Executive
205 Garage equipment such as trolley and bottle jacks should be regarded as lifting
equipment, with thorough examination every 12 months.
Vehicle supports
Ramps
206 These are usually
fixed in position. A short,
portable version will
merely maintain a vehicle
in a tilted position,
while a longer ramp will
enable a vehicle to attain
an elevated horizontal
position (see Figure
56). The ramps have
no moving parts and safety in their use is achieved through their intrinsic design/
strength, along with commonsense procedures such as careful manoeuvring of
vehicles, and braking/chocking of wheels.
Props
207 These are essential items of equipment. When used properly, they make it
safer for people to work beneath vehicles that have been raised by lifting devices
such as trolley jacks.
208 Props may be used to support a raised vehicle
in a wheel-free condition, after the vehicle has been
lifted by a number of jacks. They should only be used
on firm, level ground and should be designed to
adequately carry the loads placed on them.
209 A common type of prop is the axle stand or axle
tree. When supplied, such equipment is provided with
the appropriate pins to adjust the height of the stand.
When these pins are lost or damaged replace them
with close-fitting pins of the correct specification, and
not screwdrivers, bolts, or other items of unknown
load capacity. Inspect the structure and integrity of the
axle stand, especially welded joint areas, regularly.
Figure 57 Prop for an HGV cab Figure 58 Props for a tipper lorry
Health and safety in motor vehicle repair and associated industries Page 49 of 101