Published
Four different types of trolley jacks have been recalled after ACCC surveillance identified a number of products which did not meet the requirements of the mandatory safety standard.
The ACCC’s surveillance operation involved visually assessing over 50 products for compliance with labelling and warning requirements, and commissioning laboratory testing of a sample of products sold in shops and online. When tested, a number of jacks failed to meet minimum mandatory requirements. Several jacks failed a mandatory requirement related to load bearing, which meant that the jack could collapse when being used with a vehicle at or below its stated maximum capacity, or a vehicle could fall from the jack.
Unsafe or inappropriately used trolley jacks have caused vehicles to fall onto users, resulting in many deaths and injuries. Suppliers of trolley jacks must ensure that their products comply with the mandatory safety standard. Penalties can apply where non–compliance is identified.
Users of jacks also have a role to play in ensuring their own safety. The following list of tips is intended to help people work safely with jacks:
- Park the vehicle on a hard level surface such as a concrete driveway.
- Before you raise the vehicle, chock the unlifted wheels and engage the park brake.
- Refer to the workshop manual for your car to locate the lifting point to position the jack under your vehicle. If the incorrect lifting point is used, the jack could slip or tip.
- Watch carefully whilst raising your vehicle. Check that the head plate of the trolley jack is sitting squarely on the point you are lifting, and make sure the jack is able to roll slightly to allow for the change of angle as the vehicle is raised.
- If you are planning on working under your vehicle, always use support stands or ramps. When using support stands, ensure you locate the correct position for them before slowly lowering the jack so the vehicle is resting on the stands. Ensure that your vehicle is secure on the stands before getting under it.
For more information, watch the “Don’t be a jackass with jacks video”.