100 Lift Inspectors Across U.S. And Canada Now Certified By ALI -

100 Lift Inspectors Across U.S. And Canada Now Certified By ALI

The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has certified the 100th lift inspector through the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program, making it easier than ever for lift owners to find qualified individuals to perform mandated annual lift inspections.

The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has certified the 100th lift inspector through the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program, making it easier than ever for lift owners to find qualified individuals to perform mandated annual lift inspections.

Nicholas Lewandowski of Allied, Inc. in Ann Arbor, Mich., is the 100th lift inspector to complete the program. More than 650 additional candidates, representing 417 companies across the United States and Canada, are enrolled in the program and working toward certification. Enrollment grew significantly in the final week of 2013, when 45 new companies signed up.

“2013 was the first full year of the Lift Inspector Certification Program and we made great progress,” says R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI president. “We set out to build a resource for lift users, and there is now a stable of 100 Certified Lift Inspectors ready to provide service whenever and wherever inspections are needed. I’m happy to welcome Nicholas to the Certified Inspector family and look forward to hitting many more milestones as the current candidates work their way through the program.”

Annual lift inspections help protect service technicians by ensuring that the lifts they work under are installed correctly, functioning properly and adequately maintained. The inspections are required to be conducted on an annual basis by ANSI/ALI ALOIM:2008, the national standard covering vehicle lift operation, inspection and maintenance. Before the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program was created, there was no national independent vehicle lift inspection licensing or certification program. Lift users were on their own to find inspectors and evaluate their qualifications. According to O’Gorman, as North American health and safety officials increased their focus on vehicle service providers, the need for a unified, third-party pool of inspectors became apparent.

The ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program was launched in late 2012. Lift inspectors certified by ALI have been tested to prove they are competent to thoroughly inspect vehicle lifts in accordance with the ANSI standard governing vehicle lift inspection and in support of OSHA’s General Duty Clause, as well as provincial requirements in Canada.

Every participant who completes the certification program is entered into ALI’s searchable online database, making it easy for lift users to find inspectors. To locate an inspector in your region, visit www.autolift.org/inspectors.php, enter a U.S. ZIP or Canadian postal code and select a geographical radius. Each entry includes the inspector’s individual certification number, company, contact information and photo.

For more information about the ALI Lift Inspector Certification Program, visit www.autolift.org/certified-inspectors.php. To learn more about ALI, visit www.autolift.org or call (607) 756-7775. You can also connect with ALI on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LiftInstitute, on Twitter at www.twitter.com/LiftInstitute, and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/LiftInstitute.

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By Joe Marconi of Elite
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track
all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue,
other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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