Self-Inspection of Construction Jacks

These questions are based on guidance from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), specifically the OSHA general industry standard 29 CFR 1910.244, Other Portable Tools and Equipment, and the OSHA construction standard 29 CFR 1926.305, Jacks-Lever and Ratchet, Screw, and Hydraulic.

Any questions answered with No should be investigated, policies and procedures analyzed, additional training provided, and the safest method of operation determined and communicated to all workers and supervisors.

• Do the jacks in use have a rating sufficient to lift and sustain the loads?
• Is the rated load for the jack legibly and permanently marked by casting, stamping or other suitable means in a prominent location on the jack?
• In the absence of a firm foundation, is the base of the jack blocked or cribbed?
• If the cap could slip, is a block placed between the cap and the load?
• Do all jacks have a positive stop to prevent over-travel?
• Are operators instructed to watch the stop indicator (which must be kept clean) to determine the limit of travel?
• After a load has been raised by a jack, is it immediately cribbed, blocked or otherwise secured, as required?
• Are hydraulic jacks that are exposed to freezing temperatures supplied with adequate antifreeze liquid?
• Are all jacks properly lubricated at regular intervals?
• Is each jack thoroughly inspected at least once a year?
• Are jacks that are used constantly or intermittently at one locality thoroughly inspected at least every six months?
• Are jacks that are sent out on jobs thoroughly inspected when they are returned?
• Are jacks that are subjected to abnormal loads or shock thoroughly inspected immediately before and after each use?
• Are repair or replacement parts for jacks examined for defects before installation?
• Are procedures in place to ensure that repairs are made on disabled jacks before they are used again?

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