Off Topic Forum (Archived)

USE JACK STANDS!!!

"Tributes flow for ‘Holden nut’ Brad Lane found crushed under his car at Helensvale home"

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/tributes-flow-for-holden-nut-brad-lane-found-crushed-under-his-car-at-helensvale-home/story-fnihsrf2-1226893803161

Should be posted on the main board also!!! Jacks are dangerous, even more so when working alone.

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Chris Howells

1968 MGB Purchased already dis-assembled but which is largely back together so I'm a lot less ignorant.

Saw my two friends Dennis and Martin a few months ago, working under martins car with just a cheap jack for support, both were lucky to be unharmed, sadly lost Dennis through illness recently , a thoroughly decent man and very good friend to my wife and myself. RIP Dennis. Chris



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-04-24 06:30 AM by chris7.

My son has just become interested in helping me work on cars. The only significant lesson we've ever systematically done is how to jack then support the car. The importance of this procedure is, I hope, crystal clear in his mind.

http://www.cbs58.com/morning-news/stories/Waukesha-County-man-dies-after-car-falls-during-repair--254159671.html


http://journaltimes.com/news/local/man-killed-after-car-falls-on-him-in-burlington-area/article_2b0e882e-c713-11e3-83d5-001a4bcf887a.html

Sometimes the worst examples are at car races. I guess everyone is in a rush.......

Last year, I saw some pals working on a racing Frogeye. I just happened to be walking by when it slipped off the jack. One guy's leg was slightly caught but he was OK (and visibly shaken).

I always tell people to at very least throw a tire and rim under the car if it's a true emergency and no stands are available (and even then, never place your body under the car).

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npmccabe.org

It's a simple formula, when you get under a car, under a jack, take something solid that is thicker than your torso (no not your gut), best suggestion is a fifteen inch long piece of tree trunk, as you move around move the lumber with you. When the jack fails, which it will, your head won't get squashed, your torso and vital organs will be OK , and you can live and fight another day.

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Chris Howells

1968 MGB Purchased already dis-assembled but which is largely back together so I'm a lot less ignorant.

I had a brush with death back in college before I knew much about cars. My roommate was working on his rack and had the car balanced on cinder-blocks. That is, with the front discs on the cinder blocks. I was only underneath briefly. He had been underneath all morning. He had just gotten out from underneath when WHAM! the car crushed through the blocks and fell to the ground. A very sobering moment that I think about all the time. As I sit here, I can still feel the ground shake from the force. That would have been certain death.

When I am not ON the track, I work at a lot of race meetings (from club/State to major national, to international level).

At the drivers' briefings I attend (primarily at club/State level) there is now a section that declares the track, pit and paddock areas as work places, as defined under State and national law. Therefore they are subject to all Occupational Health and Safety regulations.

One of the specific instructions is that cars should not be worked on, off the ground, unless supported by incompressible jack stands. If you are caught doing so, it is a trip to the Stewards' office. They are also warned about jacking cars up on uneven or not firm ground (e.g. grassed areas).

At major national events (prize money events), it is an instant $5000 fine if any part of anyone goes under a car, no matter how briefly, if the car is not supported by incompressible jack stands. And I, personally, have been responsible for reporting this type of incident more than once.

I carry this information with me at all times after hearing it so often, even if I am not under threat of penalty because I am at home.

When I first started working on my MG I was replacing brake pads in the parking lot of a bike shop I was working at. The front of the car was supported by nothing other than a scissor jack and I was sitting cross legged under the rotor. When my boss saw that he yelled at me for what seemed like an hour. Lesson learned.

Number two. My cousin, a trained Heavy Truck mechanic, was under one of his cars the jack failed. All 4 wheels were on the car which saved his life but he was still dragged down the drive under the car leaving lasting scars.

What an idiotic thing to do.....Takes just a few minutes to do....I have been tempted before to avoid jackstands but something in me always tells me to slow down.....That poor guy underneath the car.....very sad.

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Beware of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

Use jack stands then shake the crap out of the car before venturing under.

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USMC 1967 - Always ... Semper Fi
79 RB Lowered, HS4s by Dave Braun & "Schlemmerized" 25D Dizzy, 9.5:1 CR, Mild Performance Cam, 18V with OD Tranny.
78 Midget MK IV Pagent Blue
73 GT in Black Tulip.. Engine by Hap Waldrop, OD Transmission by Dick Moritz Distributor is "Schlemmerized"
72 Midget MKIII Red

Exactly why I have eight cinder blocks in the garage. They will support 12000 lb boat I am sure they will hold up the Sprite.

Only use the "cider blocks" in the correct orientation, as they are used in a building. Do not lay them over. Even in the when used correctly, use a piece of wood or something to eliminate localized loading which can cause a fracture.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014-04-24 02:55 PM by emjay.

When I was a teen, a friend and co-worker of my dad's lost a son that way. Terrible trajedy and it probably happens every day!

...even jack stands can be unsafe, years ago I was dropping a sidewinder rear end off a midget, while under it it got hung up and I used all my strength plus legs to kick it free, that when the GDm midget tipped sideways and fell off the jack stands, the hanging rear end kept it from squishing me...the guys in the shop helped me out from under...I hates jack stands but its all I have.