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ASME PALD 4b-1989 — Vehicle Support Stands Safety Standard Addenda (b)
📦 ASME/ANSI PALD-4b-1989 is the second Addenda to the ASME/ANSI PALD-4-1987 Vehicle Support Stands volume. It was approved by ANSI on December 18, 1989, and issued on March 31, 1990. Changes are marked by the margin note (b); changes from the previous Addenda (4a) are marked (a). Compared with the first Addenda, this one has a broader reach, touching the Introduction, scope, definitions, restructuring of marking paragraphs, Section 6 warnings, and Section 7 use and maintenance provisions — a sign that the safety framework for support stands was maturing.
💡 Effect of an Addenda: revisions take effect three months after the Addenda issue date. Manufacturers and inspection bodies should include the replacement pages of all published addenda (4a, 4b, 4c) in their current-version control.
1. Summary of Changes 📌
| Page | Location | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction — first and second paragraphs of General | Revised |
| 1 | Section I (Scope) | Revised |
| 2 | Section II (Application) | Editorially revised |
| 5 | Para. 1.1 Scope | Revised |
| 5 | Section 2 — definition of “proof load” | Revised |
| 6 | Para. 4.2 (identification) | Revised |
| 6 | Para. 4.3 | Deleted; former para. 4.4 redesignated as 4.3 |
| 7 | Section 6 (product instructions and warnings) | Penultimate paragraph revised |
| 8 | Paras. 7.1.3(c) and (d) | Editorially revised |
| 8 | Para. 7.1.4 | Editorially revised |
| 8 | Para. 7.1.5 | Added |
⚠️ Watch the renumbering: this Addenda deletes para. 4.3 and redesignates the former 4.4 as 4.3. When citing “PALD-4-1987, para. 4.3,” always check which version you reference — documents issued before this Addenda cite the old 4.3, while the current text points to the renumbered content.
2. Definition and Design-Related Revisions 🔬
The “proof load” definition is revised again in this Addenda, further clarifying that the proof load is a load greater than the rated capacity, applied centrally to the saddle to confirm the integrity of the structure. In parallel, the revisions to the scope (para. 1.1) and the General paragraphs of the Introduction sharpen the definition of “Vehicle Support Stands”: the volume covers stands that support types of vehicles at predetermined heights for maintenance or storage, and does not include auxiliary stands used to support vehicle components.
🚨 The scope revision reminds users that using a whole-vehicle support stand to hold an engine or transmission is a serious misuse. Component-level support should follow the applicable auxiliary-stand volume of the series; never mix the two.
3. Marking, Identification, and Warnings 🏷️
Section 4 was restructured and revised in this Addenda: para. 4.2 (identification) now requires each stand to carry identifying mark(s) of the original manufacturer or supplier, and the manufacturer should be able to identify the date of manufacture of each stand; the former 4.3 was deleted and the former 4.4 redesignated as 4.3. After the revision of Section 6, the elements of the warning label are more complete — it must contain the word WARNING as a heading, a statement of the hazard, what to do to avoid or reduce the hazard, and a statement warning the operator to study, understand, and follow all instructions. The new para. 7.1.5 adds further in-service requirements, so that “inspect first, then use” covers a broader set of scenarios.
4. Impact on Manufacturers and Users 📊
- 🔍 Documentation sync: design and instruction manuals should be updated to the current text of “base edition + 4a + 4b,” and paragraph-numbering changes must be checked.
- 🔧 Marking verification: verify that rated capacity, manufacturer identification, and warning labels comply with the revised Sections 4 and 6.
- 📐 Inspection updates: the revisions to paras. 7.1.3 through 7.1.5 directly affect the items of pre-use checks and periodic inspections; update inspection procedures accordingly.
- 📋 Test documents: the revised proof load definition requires test plans and acceptance criteria to cite the current text consistently.
5. Frequently Asked Questions ❓
❓ Q: How does PALD-4b-1989 relate to 4a-1988?
A: 4b is the second Addenda after 4a; both are applied as replacement pages on top of the 1987 edition. The margin notes (a) and (b) identify where each Addenda made changes.
A: 4b is the second Addenda after 4a; both are applied as replacement pages on top of the 1987 edition. The margin notes (a) and (b) identify where each Addenda made changes.
🔍 Q: Why was para. 4.3 deleted and renumbered?
A: The committee consolidated marking requirements and removed duplication, deleting the old 4.3 and redesignating the former 4.4 as 4.3 to keep numbering continuous. Documents citing the old number must be updated.
A: The committee consolidated marking requirements and removed duplication, deleting the old 4.3 and redesignating the former 4.4 as 4.3 to keep numbering continuous. Documents citing the old number must be updated.
❓ Q: What changed in the warning requirements?
A: The Section 6 revision makes the elements of the warning label more complete (heading, hazard statement, protective measures, and a reminder to study and follow all instructions), and the new para. 7.1.5 adds inspection duties at the point of use.
A: The Section 6 revision makes the elements of the warning label more complete (heading, hazard statement, protective measures, and a reminder to study and follow all instructions), and the new para. 7.1.5 adds inspection duties at the point of use.
❓ Q: When must manufacturers comply with this Addenda?
A: Under the PALD series rules, revisions become effective three months after the Addenda issue date (March 31, 1990, for this one); products manufactured thereafter must meet the current text.
A: Under the PALD series rules, revisions become effective three months after the Addenda issue date (March 31, 1990, for this one); products manufactured thereafter must meet the current text.
