The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has developed an interactive, online vehicle lift safety course based on its "Lifting It Right" DVD. ALI is partnering with dealer services provider KPA, which has trained more than 1 million automotive industry professionals to produce and deliver the online program. It will be available in early 2014.

"Lifting It Right: 2014 Online Edition" covers the wide variety of lift types used in professional vehicle service and repair shops, the lifting and lowering process, and the importance of planned lift maintenance performed by a qualified professional.

A narrator guides the viewer through each section, highlighting safety measures with easy-to-understand instructions and relevant scenarios. The viewer learns which lifts work best for certain jobs, as well as best practices for spotting a vehicle, selecting proper adapters, and working under the vehicle. Real-world scenarios with corresponding questions are presented throughout to gauge comprehension.

At the conclusion, the program generates a certificate of completion that's stored online. This certificate can also be printed for display or placed in employee training records. Upon completion, each participant will also receive a copy of ALI's Automotive Lift Safety Tips card and the "Lifting It Right" safety manual via mail.

The course's online records management component is expected to simplify the lift operator training process for fleets equipped with vehicle lifts.

"Currently, shop managers have to provide the training DVD, print out a copy of the written test, and then score the test and file the completed paper copy for each employee. By creating an online version of 'Lifting It Right,' we’ve taken the burden off the shop and made the process more convenient for everyone,” said R.W. "Bob" O'Gorman, ALI's president.

"Lifting It Right: 2014 Online Edition" will be available for purchase in January at www.autolift.org. To be notified via e-mail when the program goes live, register here. A preview of "Lifting It Right: 2014 Online Edition" is available here.