Consumer Product Related

VIC, 2003

EXCERPT: Case involving elevation of a car by a scissor jack “Senior Constable Simon Borg of the Mechanical Investigation Unit investigated the safety aspect of the jacks. This witness considers that the scissor type jacks are designed solely for use replacing a spare wheel and should not be used to support the vehicle which is being repaired. Warning labels stating “Do not work under car while using jack” where still visible on them. Although the lifting bars on both jacks were bent as were the base plates, there had not been any mechanical failure of these jacks. Senior Constable Simon Borg also inspected one of the hydraulic jacks and found it to be operating satisfactorily… It is clear from the evidence that {the deceased} had taken numerous steps to ensure his safety such as placing bricks in front of the vehicle’s front wheels and using four car jacks. Unfortunately his jacks were not appropriate for working beneath the car...