A new HSE safety alert has been issued in relation to the BendPak XPR 2 Post Lifts after a fatal incident has occurred. See below information from the HSE announcement released this month.

Issue

BendPak XPR series two-post vehicle lifts have a half-moon-shaped arm restraint gear on each arm which is either welded or bolted. On some of the lifts with the arm restraint gear attached with bolts, the bolts do not meet the required strength standard increasing the risk of a major incident.

Outline of the problem

Evidence from an investigation of a fatal incident revealed concerns with an aspect of the manufacture and supply of the BendPak XPR series two-post lifts.

The bolts should be 8.8 class bolts. If the lift’s arm restraint gear is attached using bolts marked ‘4.8’ or unmarked bolts, then there is an increased risk of a major incident, including a vehicle falling from the lift.

BendPak XPR series lifts use a teeth-meshing mechanism to lock the arm gears. Many of these lifts use a bolted connection to attach the arm restraint gear (as is in the diagram): 

BendPak require the use of a minimum class of 8.8 bolts tightened to an appropriate torque for the lift to meet the strength standards for two-post vehicle lifts set out in the British Standard; BS EN 1493. An understrength lift is at risk of not being able to support or withstand the forces it is subjected to, and is at risk of collapse. 

Read more about the action required, on the HSE website here