The Garage 353

WORKSHOP
MAHA UK repeats vital safety messages
in response to two-post lift maintenance
and user bad habits
Maintaining lift pads and arm locks, as well as the proper use of adaptors “rather than lumps of wood”,
are all key safety messages that MAHA UK is keen to emphasise. Here, the workshop equipment
supplier advises technicians on how to maximise the longevity and performance of their two-post lifts,
as well as keep themselves and the vehicles they’re working on safe.
Lifting equipment needs to be
assessed by a professional every
12 months, in accordance with
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment
Regulations 1998 legislation. That same
equipment also needs to be maintained
regularly, the frequency of which is set out
by the manufacturers’ recommendations
in keeping with Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations 1998.
Not doing so can lead to investigation
by the Health and Safety Executive, then,
if culpable, fines and even imprisonment,
depending on the severity of the
respective issue.
Irresponsible users are not only putting
the vehicles they’re working on in danger,
but also their employer’s reputation
and, more importantly, they’re putting
themselves and their colleagues in a
perilous position too.
MAHA UK’s team of experts are still
observing scenarios where correct
maintenance procedures for lift pads
and arm locks, as well as the use of
appropriate adaptors, are not taking
place.
MAHA UK Sales Manager, Nick Austin,
said: “Despite the risks, we are still
observing deteriorated rubber pads
on the ends of lifts where steel is then
exposed. The point of the pads is to
provide suitable contact with the vehicle
to avoid it slipping off.”
The solution to that is checking the pads
regularly and replacing when necessary.
MAHA UK offers replacement rubber pads
and are not expensive to replace, so why
take the risk?
Don’t forget arm locks!
Over time arm locks can deteriorate, due
to wear and tear and considerable use,
but misuse is also a common problem.
The arm lock mechanism on any two-post
lift is one of the most important safety
features and should be checked for
correct function before and during every
use. Correct positioning and locking of the
arms are very important.
Blocks of wood replacing adaptors!
Nick also reported witnessing technicians
use a two-post lift without the correct
adaptors; instead, they used blocks of
wood!
Nick said: “Rather than have a 200mm
sleeve to reach the chassis or use a
U-shaped adaptor that goes each side of
the chassis, like an anti-slip sleeve – the
rubber pad comes off and the anti-slip
goes on – I continue to see an ordinary
two-post lift with a great big oily block
28 THE GARAGE
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