Who sets the rules for vehicle lifts
OSHA does not have a standard written specifically for people who use automotive lifts. Instead, it treats ANSI/ALI ALOIM as the industry's recognized consensus standard, and it can use that standard and the manufacturer's instructions as evidence when it cites an employer under the General Duty Clause1. That makes the ANSI/ALI standards the working rulebook for lifts, even though they are not written into OSHA's own regulations.
Three ANSI/ALI standards cover a lift's whole life3:
| Standard | What it covers | Who it applies to |
|---|---|---|
| ANSI/ALI ALCTV | How a lift is built, tested and validated | Lift manufacturers |
| ANSI/ALI ALIS | How a lift is installed and serviced | Installers and service technicians |
| ANSI/ALI ALOIM | How a lift is operated, inspected and maintained | Shop owners, employers and operators |
The current ALOIM edition took effect on January 1, 2021. It covers operator training, the owner's responsibilities for inspection and maintenance, and periodic inspections by a qualified lift inspector at least annually3.
Start with a certified lift
Safety starts before the lift is bolted down. An ALI certified lift has been third-party tested to the ALCTV construction standard, and it carries the gold ALI certification label. OSHA also requires electrical equipment, lifts included, to be approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory. Lifts certified to ANSI/UL 201 meet that requirement, and UL 201 itself requires ALCTV certification for a lift's mechanical and structural parts2.
You can confirm a lift model's certification in ALI's online directory before you buy. An uncertified lift has not been through that testing.
Installation: done once, done right
A lift is only as safe as its installation. ANSI/ALI ALIS spells out the qualifications, training and documentation required of lift installers and service technicians5. Concrete thickness and strength, anchor type and torque, and clearances all come from the lift manufacturer's instructions, and none of them should be improvised.
After a new install, ALI recommends a Check360™ inspection by an ALI Certified Lift Inspector to confirm that the documentation, safety markings, operator training and installation all meet ANSI/ALI ALOIM2.
The daily pre-use check
A walk-around before the first vehicle of the day catches wear and damage early. The operator should check:
- No hydraulic leaks at the cylinders, hoses or fittings, and no puddles under the lift
- Cables and chains free of frayed strands, kinks or rust
- Lift pads, adapters and extensions present and undamaged
- Swing-arm restraints engaging properly on two-post lifts
- Safety locks clicking into place at each position as the lift rises
- Controls returning to neutral or off when released
- The capacity label legible, and the area under and around the lift clear
Anything that fails the check means the lift stays out of service until it is fixed.
Safe lifting habits
- Use the vehicle manufacturer's lifting points. ALI's Lifting Points Guide shows them for current vehicles, including EVs with battery packs under the floor.
- Stay within the rated capacity, which is shared across the arms or runways.
- Raise the vehicle a few inches first and check that it sits stable before going higher.
- Lower onto the mechanical locks before anyone works underneath. Hydraulic pressure alone should never hold a vehicle overhead.
- Never block, tie or bypass a safety device. OSHA has cited shops for two-post lifts whose arm restraints were held open with ring clamps9.
- Stay at the controls whenever the lift is moving, and keep people clear.
- Add high-reach supports before removing heavy components, since the center of gravity shifts as weight comes off.
Training matters as much as the equipment. ALOIM covers operator qualifications and training3, and ALI's Lifting It Right online course covers safe lifting practices for any car lift, in English or Spanish8.
What the annual inspection should cover
ANSI/ALI ALOIM requires a qualified lift inspector to inspect every lift at least once a year, whatever its type, age or manufacturer4. According to ALI, a proper inspection includes:
- Every inspection point required by the lift manufacturer and by ALOIM
- Raising and lowering the lift with a vehicle on it, to confirm the lowering speed and how the lift behaves when stopped in a raised position
- Confirming that all controls return to the neutral or off position when released
- Reviewing labels, safety materials and documentation, including operating instructions, vehicle lifting information and training logs
- A written record of every observation and finding, plus any adjustments made or parts replaced
ALI Certified inspectors, a 50-point standard that grows to as many as 120 points depending on lift type, and an ALI label, full report and certificate of compliance for every lift. Every make of lift, light duty through heavy duty.
Schedule an inspectionALI has warned about “bait and switch” inspection services, where a company has one certified inspector on staff but sends someone else to do the work2. Ask who will inspect your lifts and whether that person is ALI certified. Certified inspectors pass two written exams and complete twelve documented practical inspections7.
Keep the records
ALOIM makes the lift owner or employer responsible for operator training, inspection and maintenance3. Keep the paper trail that proves it:
- Annual inspection reports for every lift, kept on file
- A maintenance log noting what was done, when and by whom
- Training records for every operator
Because OSHA can use the consensus standard as evidence in a General Duty Clause case1, organized records are also your best evidence of a safe shop.
When to stop using a lift
Take a lift out of service, and tag it so no one uses it, if you find a lock that will not engage, a hydraulic leak, a frayed cable or chain, a damaged arm restraint, a crack in a post, arm or weld, or anything that does not operate the way it should. Have it repaired by a qualified service technician and confirm it is working properly before it goes back to work.
Common questions
Does OSHA require annual lift inspections?
OSHA has no lift-specific rule. It recognizes ANSI/ALI ALOIM, which requires annual inspection by a qualified lift inspector, and it can use that standard as evidence when citing a shop under the General Duty Clause.
Does a brand-new lift need to be inspected?
ALI recommends a Check360 inspection by an ALI Certified Lift Inspector after installation, to confirm the documentation, safety markings, operator training and installation meet ANSI/ALI ALOIM.
Who counts as a qualified lift inspector?
ALOIM sets the qualifications. ALI's Lift Inspector Certification Program independently tests inspectors: applicants need at least 12 months of lift experience, must pass two written exams and must complete 12 documented practical inspections.
How can I tell if my lift is ALI certified?
Look for the gold ALI certification label on the lift, or check the model in ALI's online directory of certified lifts.
Do technicians need training to use a lift?
Yes. ALOIM covers operator qualifications and training, and owners are responsible for making sure operators are trained. ALI's Lifting It Right course is one widely used option.
Sources
- OSHA, Standards Applicable to Automotive Service Lifts (interpretation letter, Nov. 19, 2014)
- Automotive Lift Institute, Lift Inspection FAQ
- Automotive Lift Institute, ANSI/ALI ALOIM:2020 standard
- Automotive Lift Institute, Annual Lift Inspections Provide Peace of Mind
- Automotive Lift Institute, ANSI/ALI ALIS 2022 installation and service standard
- Automotive Lift Institute, Lift Certification FAQ
- Automotive Lift Institute, How to Become an ALI Certified Lift Inspector
- Automotive Lift Institute, Lifting It Right training and Check360 inspections
- J. J. Keller, What does OSHA require for automotive lifts?
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Follow your lift manufacturer's instructions and the current edition of each ANSI/ALI standard.