Vehicle Hoist Safety Checklist

Car hoists are essential tools for any Australian automotive workshop. However, knowing how to use hoists safely isn’t necessarily instinctive, and it certainly isn’t optional.

That’s why having comprehensive safety checks is so important.

See our combined, step-by-step vehicle hoist safety checklist below.

1. Before You Raise a Vehicle

Before you even power up your hoist, you need to run through a vehicle hoist inspection checklist. They’ll help prevent the most common lift accidents from occurring:

• Inspect the hoist equipment — Check posts, arms or runways, cables, chains, hydraulic hoses, and all moving parts for signs of wear, damage, leaks, or misalignment.
• Verify anchor bolts and floor stability — Especially for 2 post hoists, ensure anchor bolts are tight and the concrete slab or floor is solid, level and crack-free.
• Test safety locks — Make sure the safety locks engage properly. For 4 post hoists, test that automatic lock mechanisms work before raising.
• Clear the workspace — Remove tools, jacks, trays, or anything under the lift bay. Ensure the area around the hoist is free from clutter.
• Check vehicle suitability — Confirm the vehicle’s weight does not exceed the hoist’s rated capacity; ensure the wheelbase or dimensions are appropriate.
• Verify correct lift points — Use the vehicle’s lifting-point data to place pads or arms correctly. For vehicles needing adapters, ensure the correct ones are on-hand and undamaged.
• Check overhead & clearance — Make sure there’s enough clearance around the vehicle before lifting, including doors, bonnet, roof racks, antennas, and other overhead hazards.
• Confirm vehicle is clear — Ensure no one is inside or near the vehicle, and no personnel are within 2 metres. Safety protocols mandate the area is clear before lift operation.
• Wear appropriate PPE — At a minimum: safety boots, gloves, and eye protection. Consider additional gear (hard hat, goggles) if working under vehicles or with fluids and parts.
• Test controls — Before lifting, make sure “up/down” controls work and emergency stop functions respond.

2. Vehicle Positioning and Lift-Up

Once your hoist pre-use inspection checklist is done, and you’re confident everything looks good — only then start lifting, but carefully:

• Centre the vehicle properly — Ensure the vehicle is positioned so its centre of gravity is balanced relative to the hoist posts or runways. Steering should be straight, wheels aligned.
• Chock wheels if needed — Especially for short-wheelbase vehicles, slopes or when using 4-post runways or ramps. Wheel chocks help prevent movement.
• Use correct pad height before swinging arms — Adjust pad height or attach frame adapters before moving lift arms into position.
• Perform a shake-and-listen test — Raise the car about 15–30 cm, stop, then gently shake (bumper or wheels) to check for stability and pad contact. Listen for safety-lock clicks. If there’s any wobble or instability, lower and reposition.
• Lower vehicle onto locks (if present) — Don’t rely solely on hydraulics. Mechanical locks provide stable support.

3. While the Vehicle Is Raised

Raising the vehicle is only step one. Working under a lifted vehicle brings continued responsibility:

• Use hoist only as a support platform — If you remove wheels or heavy components, add secondary support (jack stands, under-hoist stands). This avoids overloading the hoist or creating unstable weight shifts.
• Avoid vehicle sway or rocking — Don’t bounce or move the vehicle while it is raised. Sudden shifts in weight (e.g. removing engine/transmission) can destabilise the lift.
• Keep work area under and around the hoist clean — Remove any tools, jacks, fluid containers, or trip hazards under the car. This helps prevent accidents when lowering or working.
• Use appropriate lifting frames/stands — If removing heavy components such as the engine, transmission, or axles, ensure weight distribution remains stable, as these changes can dramatically shift balance.

4. Ending the Lift Safely

After finishing work, lowering a vehicle safely is as important as lifting it safely:

• Clear the workspace under the vehicle — Remove all tools, jacks, and stands to avoid snags or pressure on equipment when lowering.
• Unload safety locks and lower smoothly — Raise slightly to remove load from safety locks before releasing them, then lower the vehicle slowly and evenly to prevent jolts.
• Return hoist and tidy the area — Move arms/ramps to parked or neutral position, remove chocks, wipe up spills, and inspect for leaks; good housekeeping is essential for lift safety.
• Document and address any issues — Tag any problems such as pad damage, leaking hydraulic lines, or loose bolts immediately, and schedule repairs; don’t just note them, act before the next use.

5. Regular Maintenance

A proper hoist maintenance checklist and schedule ensures your hoists remain safe over time — and keeps you compliant with regulatory obligations:

• Daily checks — Visual inspection of pads, arms/adapters, safety locks, hydraulic lines, floor/base plates.
• Weekly checks — Verify anchor bolt torque, test arm restraints under light preload, inspect cable or chain tension (if used), clean posts and runways.
• Monthly checks — Lubricate pivots, chains or moving parts per manufacturer specs; inspect safety switches or automatic shut-offs; check for signs of structural fatigue (welds, cracks, wear).
• Annual inspections — Have a qualified technician conduct a full hoist inspection and issue a hoist compliance report. This is especially important for commercial workshops under WHS compliance or insurer requirements.

Tufflift Makes Hoist Safety Checks Simple

With help from a Tufflift logbook and/or technician, you can easily perform all essential safety checks and maintenance tasks — from pre-lift inspections to post-work procedures and regular servicing.

Our equipment is designed for reliability, and with the right routines, you can protect both your team and your vehicles.

Stay compliant, reduce risks, and keep your workshop running smoothly with Tufflift Hoists Australia. Call or email our team today to find out more about our range and services.

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FAQs

How Often Do I Need to Perform Safety Checks Before Using a Hoist?

You should conduct safety inspections before every use. More thorough hoist inspections should occur at least every 3 months, and a professional inspection should be arranged annually (every 12 months).

Who Can Perform Vehicle Hoist Compliance Inspections?

Vehicle hoist inspections must be performed by a “competent person”. This means someone with the right training, education, or engineering qualifications.

Do I Need to Keep Records of Hoist Inspections and Maintenance?

Yes. Records are important for showing due diligence, ensuring safety, and meeting Australian Standards requirements and workshop compliance. They help track a hoist's performance and maintenance history, and can provide legal protection in case of an accident.