Seen today on my travels. 

Worker stripping components (steering, suspension, gear box etc) from beneath a vehicle. Working underneath the car. The car was supported on 2 axle stands - rear axle, and a raised trolley jack to the front. Vehicle was completely raised, around 12". Ground was level and firm, concrete. 

Worker was using some force to shift the components and I raised the issue twice, suggesting it was an unsafe method of work. Client (insurance policyholder) said no other way to do this type of work. Cannot be done from a ramp. Client only had a 4 post ramp as far as I could see. 

I've seen the HSE guidance re use of axle stands and trolley jacks but those are for the vehicle raised at one end only for short term work. 

Questions:-

1) Am I right to question it? I'm bloody sure I am but client was adamant it was an acceptable safe system of work. I've never seen anyone else work like this and I've been surveying motor trade stuff for nearly 30 years. 

2) Any suggestions on the right way to do it? 2 post lift would surely do the job and permit access to all components that needed to be removed. 

3) Any concrete guidance you can point me to (HSE, motor trade etc) that I can show to client to back up my view?

Thanks for any help you can offer. 

I think the current guidance from the HSE is quite clear on this.  ie don't rely on a jack alone.

See http://www.hse.gov.uk/pUbns/priced/hsg261.pdf Page 48 para 201, and

See http://www.hse.gov.uk/mvr/mechanical-repair/under-vehicles.htm last bullet point under "Use equipment correctly"

As the front of the vehicle is supported by the trolley jack alone, then that operation clearly goes against the HSE guidance. 

If they are pedantic and say the jack is being used with two axle stands, then that is no different from the rear wheels being on the ground with the front lifted by the jack alone.

Hope the references help