Inspections & Certifications

Safety Requirements for Operation, Inspection & Maintenance
       

Automotive lifts are often one of the most expensive and valuable tools in your  shop. It can be overwhelming to conduct annual inspections to protect this investment, especially if you have multiple locations. Are  you aware of the dangers that vehicle lifts may cause if they are not properly inspected and maintained? OSHA is, and they are beginning to pay more attention to vehicle lifts.  

At Mobile Hydraulics, our trained inspectors focus solely to provide you with the most accurate lift inspection. You’ll have confidence knowing the repairs we recommend are truly necessary. 

This program should include:

• Training employees in the safe use and hazards for each type of lift used;
• Conducting periodic (monthly) in-house vehicle lift inspections; and
• Having a qualified service provider conduct a full inspection of each lift at least annually.

Each aspect of this comprehensive Vehicle Lift Safety Program should be  documented. Having these documented records can be critical in the event  OSHA inspects the business. The OSHA emphasis program refers to  “certified lift inspectors” for the annual lift inspections. At this time, the Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) appears to be the main organization that has comprehensive training for obtaining this  certification. However, we have seen some of our larger accounts using  the firms where they bought the lifts to conduct the inspections. As an  owner of a vehicle with a lift, you should feel comfortable with the  qualifications of the firm you use and in the quality of work they  provide. Their inspection form should be detailed, and they should be  able to tell you how their inspections meet OSHA requirements. 

• The structure (Hardware, corrosion, damage, load holding device)
• Floor around the unit (Cracks, bolt torque)
• Drive unit (Power buttons, electrical connections, valves, pneumatic lock release, emergency stop)
• Hydraulics
• Columns
• Wire ropes
• Cables
• Slider blocks/rollers
• Cylinder
• Sheaves
• Shafts/hardware
• Arm weld
• Ramps and wheelstops

*Please note the above varies depending on the type of Automotive Lifting Equipment being inspected.

Installing a paint booth is no small task. It requires tons of parts  and a lot of manpower. An essential aspect of the installation process is making sure your booth achieves code compliance.

Reputable paint booth manufacturers, such as Mobile Hydraulics, design and build equipment to meet or exceed all of the  applicable codes. Still, it is important to understand what safety regulations apply to your facility and what you must do to ensure the safety of your workers and protection of your equipment.

The codes and permitting requirements for your paint booth depend on  where you live. The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) should be made  aware of your installation. The AHJ can advise what city, county and/or  state codes are applicable.

Local governments enforce one of the following codes:

• Most commonly enforced code
• Referenced in the International Building Code (IBC)
• Chapter 15 of the IFC addresses requirements for spray areas, spray rooms and spray booths
• References parts of NFPA 33 (Standard for Spray Application Using Flammable or Combustible Materials)

• Enforced in areas that have adopted the NFPA’s set of codes
• Incorporates NFPA 33 in its entirety

In addition to codes, there are industry standards that are often enforced.  The most common is NFPA 33.  

In addition, OSHA has requirements for the design of equipment and  operations involved in spraying flammable or combustible materials. In  most cases, compliance with NFPA 33 is acceptable to meet OSHA’s  requirements.

Local support is key when purchasing a paint booth. That is why you want to select a paint booth manufacturer that has an extensive distribution network, such as Mobile Hydraulics.

A local distributor can help you obtain permits and meet code  requirements. Since they are in your area, they are knowledgeable about  the codes that pertain to you, taking an additional hurdle out of the  installation process.