MAHA UK’s tips on two-post lifts
Workshop equipment supplier MAHA UK has issued guidance for operators on how to maximise the longevity and performance of their two-post lifts, as well as ensuring both technicians and vehicles are kept safe.
The company highlights the need for lifting equipment to be assessed by a professional every six months, in accordance with the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998.
That same equipment also needs to be maintained regularly, adds MAHA UK, 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 & Safety Executive, then, if culpable, fines and even imprisonment, depending on the severity of the respective issue.
Irresponsible operators are not only putting the vehicles they’re working on in danger, advises MAHA UK, but also their employer’s reputation – and, more importantly, putting themselves and their colleagues in a perilous position too.
The company says its 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.
“Despite the risks, we are still observing deteriorated rubber pads on the ends of lifts where steel is then exposed,” said UK sales manager Nick Austin (pictured, right).
“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, says MAHA UK. The company offers replacement rubber pads and are not expensive to replace, so there is no need for operators to take the risk, it says.
Over time arm locks can deteriorate due to wear and tear and considerable use, says MAHA, but misuse is also a common problem. The arm lock mechanism on any two-post lift is one of the most important safety features, the firm says, and should be checked for correct function before and during every use, adding that correct positioning and locking of the arms are very important.
Nick Austin 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 of wood between the vehicle and the lift pad, which is completely unsafe!”
Once again, this issue can be easily avoided, but Nick is concerned that because there are so many adaptors available and workshop managers are under pressure to get a vehicle up in the air, a block of wood is viewed as a solution. This, he says, is very wrong.
He added: “It’s important that technicians are provided with the right adaptors, as it’s vital to ensure the safe and effective use of a two-post lift. Once again, it’s a safety issue and could lead to serious consequences if an incident occurs. Like the rubber pads, they’re not expensive and certainly not as expensive as a new two-post lift!
“We offer many types of adaptors, for many different vehicles including various EVs. Essentially, they lock onto the chassis via a locating hole or dedicated position along the sill. This type offers increased stability to prevent slip – why buy a lift but not the adaptors?”
The company’s MA Star range of two-post lifts guarantees outstanding safety, it says, thanks to its spindle nut package, patented ‘giraffe’ nut breakage detection, motor brake, sturdy and solid design, safe usability, simple maintenance and service, easy installation and intuitive operation.
These two-post lifts lift to 1,995mm and feature stable and torsion-resistant columns made from rolled H-section steel. They are capable of lifting vehicles up between three-and-a-half, five-and-a-half or six-and-a-half tonnes, depending on which option is most appropriate for the workshop in question. There is also an optional height restricting light barrier that can be installed to avoid vehicles contacting any obstacles past a certain height.
Thanks to all of the safety features, along with their straightforward plug-and-play and intuitive, LED-based interfaces, the MA Star lifts range is said to be simple but effective in practice.
