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ASME PALD 13b-1990 — Swing Type Mobile Lifts Safety Standard Addenda (b)
🚗 ASME/ANSI PALD-13b-1990 is the second addenda to the Swing Type Mobile Lifts volume, ASME/ANSI PALD-13-1988. Approved by ANSI on August 16, 1990 and issued on September 30, 1990, it continues the replacement-page mechanism with margin notes (b) for this addenda and (a) for the previous one. Unlike the design-focused addenda (a), this revision concentrates on the warning label example, product instruction clauses, and operation/maintenance/inspection requirements, adding new clause 7.1.5 to complete the “design — marking — testing — instructions — use” safety chain.
💡 This addenda preserves the full scope and definitions text of PALD-13, the authoritative description of a swing type mobile lift: a pair of laterally spaced lifting members raising and lowering in unison, contacting the vehicle at two points across its axis of symmetry on the bumper, bumper supports, axle, or frame members to raise the wheels of one end of a vehicle free of the ground.
1. Scope, Purpose, and Classification 📌
Per the standard text: this volume applies to pneumatic swing type mobile lifts — a pair of laterally spaced lifting members that raise and lower in unison, arranged to contact the vehicle at two points across its axis of symmetry, used to raise the wheels of one end of a vehicle free of the ground. Its purpose is to establish guidelines for construction, care, and use, providing a basis of understanding among manufacturers, distributors, and operators. Pneumatic is the only classification for which this volume applies. The boundary with ANSI B30.1, Jacks, is explicit.
| Term | Definition Highlights |
|---|---|
| base | The stationary portion of a lift to which lifting members are attached |
| dynamic restraint | A device preventing the lifting member from extending to full stroke unrestrained if the load is suddenly removed |
| functional damage | Permanent deformation and/or loss of sealing capacity rendering the lift unable to meet design qualification testing |
| lifting member | The moving portion of a lift upon which the saddles are mounted |
| mobile | Readily movable from one work area to another without a load |
| pneumatic lift | A lift employing compressed air as the force-transmitting medium |
| proof load | A load greater than rated capacity, applied at the lifting points to confirm structural integrity |
| rated capacity | The maximum published operating load the lift is designed to lift or move throughout its range of travel |
| saddle | The portion of the lift that contacts the vehicle |
2. Principal Changes in This Addenda 🔧
Per the Summary of Changes, the modifications in PALD-13b-1990 are:
| Page | Location | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 4.4 Warning | Example of a warning revised |
| 7 | Section 6 — Product Instructions and Warnings | Paragraph (a) revised |
| 8 | 7.1.3 (c) | Revised |
| 8 | 7.1.3 (d) | Revised |
| 8 | 7.1.4 | Revised |
| 8 | 7.1.5 | Added |
⚠️ Clause 7.1.5 is newly added in this addenda, supplementing the operation, maintenance, and inspection section. Include it in your inspection checklists so no item is missed.
3. Warning Label Requirements 🏷️
Clause 4.4 requires each lift to carry a warning affixed with durable materials and attaching methods in a location readily visible to the operator, containing: the word WARNING as a heading; a statement of the hazard; what to do to avoid or reduce the hazard; and a statement to warn the operator to study, understand, and follow all instructions. Symbols may be included. The revised warning example captures the typical risks of swing type mobile lifts:
- Purpose limitation: the device is for lifting only, not for supporting or moving loads; place the vehicle on appropriate supports immediately after lifting.
- No overloading: never load beyond rated capacity; overloading can damage or fail the lift.
- Lift points: lift only on areas specified by the vehicle manufacturer that provide equal loads on each saddle.
- Surface condition: use only on hard level surfaces capable of sustaining the load; other surfaces can cause instability and possible loss of load.
- Consequences: failure to heed the warnings may result in loss of load, damage to the lift, and/or failure causing personal injury or property damage; study, understand, and follow all instructions.
🚨 The warning label is the last line of defense — it must never be missing or illegible. Any lift with a missing, worn, or outdated warning label must be taken out of service and relabeled immediately.
4. Engineering Practice Essentials 🛠️
- 🔍 Label verification: check each warning label against the revised 4.4 example — hazard statement, avoidance measures, and instruction reminder must all be present.
- 🔧 Instruction management: per revised Section 6 (a), complete the operator instructions to cover installation, operation, maintenance, and inspection.
- 📊 Inspection program: build inspection checklists from revised 7.1.3 (c), (d), 7.1.4, and the new 7.1.5; execute and record each item.
- 📋 Operating discipline: adhere to “lifting only, never supporting”; keep loads evenly distributed on the saddles and transfer support immediately after lifting.
💡 This revision strengthens the “information transfer” link: warning labels and instructions convert design safety into use safety. Include label checks and instruction training in equipment acceptance and annual refresher programs.
5. Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ Q: How do the revision focuses of PALD-13b-1990 and PALD-13a-1989 differ?
A: 13a focused on design clauses (proof load definition, operating controls, tiered 3.4 verification); 13b focuses on information and inspection clauses (warning example, instructions, 7.1.3–7.1.5), together completing the standard.
A: 13a focused on design clauses (proof load definition, operating controls, tiered 3.4 verification); 13b focuses on information and inspection clauses (warning example, instructions, 7.1.3–7.1.5), together completing the standard.
❓ Q: Why does the Standard provide a “warning example” rather than just requiring a warning?
A: The example defines a complete information structure (hazard statement — avoidance — instruction reminder) so that labels from different manufacturers carry consistent depth, reducing safety information gaps from wording differences.
A: The example defines a complete information structure (hazard statement — avoidance — instruction reminder) so that labels from different manufacturers carry consistent depth, reducing safety information gaps from wording differences.
❓ Q: What keeps a pneumatic swing type lift safe on loss of air pressure?
A: Per 3.5, a secondary load holding means prevents unrestricted lowering; per the 5.1.5 test, it must stop the lift automatically within 7 in. (178 mm) of descent.
A: Per 3.5, a secondary load holding means prevents unrestricted lowering; per the 5.1.5 test, it must stop the lift automatically within 7 in. (178 mm) of descent.
🔍 Q: What practical impact does the new 7.1.5 have?
A: It adds requirements to the operation, maintenance, and inspection section; users must fold it into inspection checklists and training. The exact text governs in the addenda replacement pages.
A: It adds requirements to the operation, maintenance, and inspection section; users must fold it into inspection checklists and training. The exact text governs in the addenda replacement pages.
