Vehicle Lift & Jack Safety: the full procedure

Inspect and operate vehicle lifts and jacks safely so no one is ever under a vehicle that is not positively supported.

• Applies to: All shop technicians and lift operators.
• Frequency: Before every lift use, with a documented annual ALI inspection.
• Scope: Covers daily lift checks, manufacturer lift-point and capacity use, mechanical lock engagement, and rated jack-stand use. Lift operation, inspection, and certification defer to ALI/ANSI ALOIM, the lift manufacturer’s manual, OSHA, and the shop safety plan.

What you need

• Lift manufacturer manual
• Daily lift checklist
• Rated jack stands
• Vehicle service guide (lift points)
• ALI inspection record

The procedure, step by step

1. Pre-use lift inspection — Before each shift check the lift for fluid leaks, frayed cables, worn arm restraints, and that all safety locks and limit switches operate per the manufacturer manual.
2. Confirm capacity & lift points — Verify the vehicle weight is within the lift’s rated capacity and position arms/pads only on the manufacturer-specified lift points for that vehicle.
3. Raise & test stability — Raise a few inches, then push-test the vehicle for stability before lifting fully; stop and reposition if it rocks or shifts.
4. Engage mechanical locks — Once at working height, lower onto the lift’s mechanical locks — never rely on hydraulic or pneumatic pressure alone to hold the load.
5. Use rated jacks & stands correctly — For floor-jack work, use a jack rated for the load on a firm surface, then transfer the vehicle onto rated jack stands before going underneath.
6. Never work under an unsupported vehicle — No body part goes under a vehicle held only by a jack, hydraulic pressure, or an unlocked lift — locks or stands must be carrying the weight.
7. Lower & clear safely — Confirm the area is clear, disengage locks per procedure, and lower smoothly while watching arms and obstructions.
8. Tag & report defects — Lock out any lift or jack that fails inspection, tag it "Do Not Use," and report it to the manager for repair before it returns to service.

Quality check before you finish

• Daily lift checklist completed and signed.
• Mechanical safety locks engaged at working height.
• Arms/pads on manufacturer lift points only.
• Vehicle weight within the lift’s rated capacity.
• Jack stands rated with load marking visible.
• No technician under a vehicle on hydraulic pressure alone.
• Current annual ALI inspection record on file.

This is a free, source-anchored standard operating procedure (SOP) you can print and hand to staff. It documents the work sequence for a Tire Shop business — not safety or regulatory rulings, which defer to the cited authorities, the applicable code, and your own health-and-safety plan. Open the tool above to print it, toggle ink-saver, or (with a free ToolFluency Business account) edit it to match your own workflow.

Sources

• OSHA 1910.244(a) — Jacks: Rating & Cribbing (osha.gov)
• ANSI/ALI ALOIM (Automotive Lift Institute) — Annual Inspection (autolift.org)
• OSHA — General Duty Guidance on Automotive Lifts (osha.gov)