Give Jacks, Lifts, And Hoists The High Safety Priority They Deserve Fatality File

Mechanic dies while working underneath a car

WorkSafe is issuing a safety alert about the hazards associated with working underneath raised vehicles in the auto repair industry following the death of a mobile mechanic.

A mobile mechanic has died while working underneath a raised vehicle.

Working alone at a private residence, the man was fatally injured when the vehicle he was working underneath rolled off a trolley jack and crushed him.

Many workers in the auto repair industry are required to work on vehicles outside of a workshop, such as at another workplace or private residence.

Safety issues

Servicing and repairing vehicles frequently requires the vehicle to be raised on a hoist or trolley jacks to enable work to be undertaken on the underside of the vehicle.

Serious crush injuries can occur when:

• vehicles fall or roll off hoists, trolley jacks or axle stands.  When used on sloping or uneven ground, the risk of injury increases
• lifting equipment used to raise a vehicle is used incorrectly, is not maintained or is overloaded
• the park brake is not engaged and the wheels are not chocked
• vehicles are left in gear causing them to lurch forward, possibly striking or running over persons nearby
• heavily loaded vehicles (including attachments and modifications) are unstable and tip over when raised on hoists