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About trolley jacks
A trolley jack is a device that raises and lowers a part of a vehicle via its chassis.
A trolley jack usually comes with:
- wheels for manoeuvring the trolley jack
- hydraulic cylinders for lifting the vehicle
- a handle for positioning the trolley jack under the vehicle and for pumping the hydraulic cylinders.
Risks and injuries from the product
Vehicles supported by an unsafe or incorrectly used trolley jack can fall onto a person. Incorrect use of a trolley jack can lead to serious injury or death.
Things to look for when buying the product
Death and serious injuries have happened to people using trolley jacks incorrectly. For this reason, there’s a mandatory standard that suppliers and retailers must comply with.
Only buy and use trolley jacks that comply with the trolley jacks mandatory standard.
Design and construction
- Use the right jack for the job.
Marks and labels
- Check the trolley jack has instructions for safe use and assembly instructions.
- It has package marking.
- There is a permanent warning notice marked on it.
- The notice contains statements and pictograms for the 4 key warnings.
The 4 key warnings are:
- death or injury from incorrect use
- use two support stands
- flat hard level ground
- free to roll during lifting and lowering.
Trolley jacks warning labels
These images are an example of the safety warning label.
The safety warning label must comply with the requirements of the mandatory standard.
Second-hand trolley jacks
If you decide to use, buy or borrow a second-hand trolley jack, check that it:
- is in good condition and good working order
- complies with the mandatory standard
- is sold with safe use, operating and assembly instructions.
For tips and more information, see Buy second-hand products that are safe.
How to use the product safely
- Make sure that you regularly maintain trolley jacks so that they operate safely.
- Always check the jack's label to ensure that its maximum load capacity is enough to support the vehicle you are lifting. Otherwise the jack could fail and place you in danger.
- Use only on flat hard level ground.
- Make sure the trolley jack is free to roll during lifting and lowering.
- Never get under a vehicle that is supported only by a trolley jack. Use 2 vehicle support stands to support the vehicle.
- Use a trolley jack to lift a vehicle before placing the vehicle support stands underneath the vehicle.
- Locate the correct points for the vehicle support stands.
- Lower the jack slowly until the vehicle safely rests on the vehicle support stands.
Watch our video on DIY car repair safety
In this video, Soledad takes us through the correct procedure to lift and support vehicles so we can safely repair our cars.
Video transcript
VISION: Soledad stands in his garage next to his car.
SOLEDAD: I'm Soledad. This is my EH Holden. And I've done all my own repairs on this car.
On average five deaths and 160 injuries are associated with DIY repair each year. And these are preventable. So, I'm going to show you the correct way to lift and support your vehicle for DIY repairs.
First, you need the right tools for the job. Jacks, stands, and ramps all have a different purpose which I'll take you through.
TEXT: Dot points reading 'jacks, stands, ramps'
SOLEDAD: Your car will most likely come with a specific vehicle jack. Usually, in the boot. Remember, it's only designed for changing tyres and must never be used to get under your car.
TEXT: SAFETY TIP: Never get under your car using only a jack
SOLEDAD: If you do need to get under your car buy a good quality jack that's rated to lift the weight of your car and a pair of good quality support stands or ramps. Make sure all this equipment meets the mandatory safety standards.
VISION: An assortment of ramps, jacks and stands, all labelled. Text on screen reads 'Check the label for compliance with Australian standard AS: 2615:2016'
SOLEDAD: Always work on a hard flat surface, preferably concrete. Working on the lawn isn't safe.
TEXT: SAFETY TIP: Always work on a hard, flat surface
SOLEDAD: The surface needs to support the entire weight of your car. And you don't want to risk it.
TEXT: SAFETY TIP: Check your owners manual for your vehicle weight
VISION: A step by step process for lifting the car plays with Soledad's voice over.
SOLEDAD: Put your car in park and apply the handbrake. Place chocks behind all the unlifted wheels and locate the lifting points on your vehicle. If you're unsure where they are check the owner's manual. Then you can start to jack your car.
Check the safety warning labels on your equipment. These can provide you with valuable information on their correct use. Importantly, never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack.
TEXT: SAFETY TIP: Never get under your car using only a jack
SOLEDAD: This can be fatal. Never use bricks, blocks, or wood in place of good quality stands. Some DIY videos will suggest making your own as a cheap option. But you'll be risking your life for the sake of 80 bucks. They're a good investment.
Once you've raise the car slide your support stands into place and slowly lower that car onto them. It's a good idea to give the car a bit of a push and a shake just to make sure it's stable. If you're using vehicle ramps check their rated capacity specifications and again, compliance with safety standards.
TEXT: Check rated capacity; specifications; Australian Standard AS: 2640:2016.
SOLEDAD: Always use two ramps. These should be in line with the wheels, with the steering wheel straight drive slowly up the centre of the ramps.
Use a spotter if you can. The spotter should be away from the path of the car. As a rule of thumb, the spotter should be on the driver side, one car width away and one car length in front So they can still see the alignment of the ramps and wheels, but are safe if the ramps move or if the vehicle slides off one or both of the ramps.
Once at the top put the car in park and place chocks behind the unlifted wheels. Being able to lift your car the correct way is essential for any DIY car owner.
If you're unsure take your car to a professional and check the product safety Australia website for further information.
VISION: ACCC logo appears on screen with text: productsafety.gov.au/DIYcarsafety
NARRATOR: Authorised by the Australian Government, Canberra.