Why Your Automotive Lifts Need an Annual Inspection
Your technicians work underneath automotive lifts every day.
That alone is a pretty good reason to know what condition they're in.
But there is also an established industry standard. The current ANSI/ALI ALOIM standard requires periodic inspection by a qualified lift inspector at least annually.
An inspection is more than watching the lift go up and down
A proper lift inspection looks at the components and systems that affect the safe operation of the lift.
Depending on the lift, that can include cables, chains, hydraulic components, structural components, controls, locks, adapters, arm restraints, anchors, warning labels, operating instructions, and other items specific to that lift.
ALI notes that some lifts can have as many as 120 inspection points.
That's very different from somebody walking through the shop and saying, “Looks good.”
Why do lifts need to be inspected every year?
Because lifts wear.
Cables stretch. Pads wear out. Hydraulic components leak. Fasteners loosen. Locks get damaged. Parts get hit. Operators use equipment every day, and sometimes things happen that nobody reports.
A developing problem may not keep the lift from operating.
That's exactly why an inspection matters.
What happens if something fails inspection?
It depends on what is found.
Not every deficiency means the entire lift needs to be replaced. Many inspection items can be corrected through normal repair or maintenance.
More serious safety-related problems may require the lift to be removed from service until repairs are completed.
The point of the inspection isn't to generate a repair list. It's to identify the actual condition of the equipment so the shop can address problems appropriately.
Inspection and maintenance are different
Maintaining a lift throughout the year does not eliminate the need for an annual inspection.
And an annual inspection doesn't replace normal maintenance.
You need both.
Who should inspect it?
ALI's Certified Lift Inspector program provides independent third-party verification that an inspector has been tested and qualified to inspect automotive lifts according to ANSI/ALI ALOIM.
The same inspection procedures apply regardless of the lift's manufacturer, age, or whether the inspection company originally sold it.
Don't wait until something breaks
If you're responsible for a dealership, independent shop, fleet, municipality, school, or any other facility operating automotive lifts, annual inspections should simply be part of maintaining the shop.
Northcoast Equipment Specialists provides automotive lift inspections throughout Northeast Ohio. Contact us if you need to schedule your facility.
The Importance of Regular Inspection for Automotive Lifts