scope:

The purpose of this guideline is to provide information about the qualifications applicable to a Competent Person tasked with conducting inspections of mobile or movable jacks in accordance with DIN EN 1494, within the meaning of the Workplace Safety and Health Ordinance (BetrSichV).

DIN EN 1494 applies for example to the following lifting devices:

mechanical jacks with or without claws

hydraulic jacks with or without claws as well as with or without built-in pump, for example, hydraulic trolley jacks, hydraulic transmission jacks, hydraulic pit jacks

pneumatic jacks

This guideline applies to jacks (see Section 3) or related equipment which are mobile or movable and intended to be used for supporting the load from below by individually or collectively lifting or lowering loads or vehicles partially or completely at one or more load bearing points (but excluding the lifting of persons). Working beneath the raised load is not permitted unless additional safety measures have been taken to keep the load in place.

Note: "Related equipment" means lifting devices which are similar to the lifting devices defined in Section 3 but are not fully alike.

This guideline does not cover the inspection of

• lifting devices or auxiliary supports which are permanently attached to a trailer or container to support the trailer or container in the absence of the tractor unit,
• hydraulic cylinders permanently attached to the vehicle to tilt parts of the vehicle longitudinally and/or transversely,
• supports whose height can only be adjusted when unloaded,
• hydraulic jacks whose maximum working pressure exceeds 500 bar and in which pump and cylinder do not form part of the device, and also
• car jacks which are supplied with road vehicles as a breakdown aid (including original spare part supplies).

The qualification of employees of an approved inspection centre (Zugelassene Überwachungsstelle or ZÜS) is not covered either.