Lift Safety

Lift regulations have been designed to ensure that the equipment can be used safely, whether it is designed for transporting passengers, goods or a combination of both. There are different regulations that apply depending on the position and requirements of the lift.

Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER)

LOLER applies to passenger lifts that are fitted within workplaces, including those used by customers and those that can accommodate goods as well. If you own a lift or have responsibility for one, you are held legally accountable for its safe use.

The equipment should be examined regularly by an appropriately qualified person. This should be someone who has the right practical and technical understanding of the lift and its safety features. Passenger lifts should be examined at least every six months and those that are only used for goods need to be checked on an annual basis.

If the lift is mainly used by members of the public, such as within an apartment building, it is not strictly covered by LOLER. However, it could be classed as being used for work if it is accessed by maintenance workers or cleaners. As such, it would come within the regulations.

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

These regulations generally run alongside LOLER and cover equipment that is used for work purposes – including lifts. They have been designed to ensure that lifts are safe and appropriate for the intended use and that they are maintained and inspected regularly. Those operating the equipment must have undergone the correct training.

Lifts Regulations 1997

This set of regulations applies to all lifts used to carry people, whether they are used by employees or members of the public. They need to be adhered to by those who import, manufacture or install lifts within the UK.

Under the regulations, the lifts must be checked to ensure that they are safe to use. This starts from the planning stages, where an assessment should be carried out for any potential hazards. The lifts should be designed so that they can be accessed safely by disabled users and that they have adequate space for the intended load. Passenger lifts should be prevented from moving if they are overloaded.

Safety Features

The idea of lifts plummeting to the ground comes from films and people’s imaginations. This type of lift malfunction would only occur in truly exceptional circumstances. Modern equipment is fitted with a range of safety features that prevent this from happening.

Lifts that utilise a cable system are fitted with multiple ropes in case one snaps — this is extremely unlikely, however. Each individual steel rope could carry the weight of both the lift and the occupants if necessary. There is an additional braking system in place that would stop a lift falling to the ground if all the ropes broke. This works alongside shock absorbers that prevent the lift crashing if all the initial safety measures were to fail.

Alongside the safety features, the regulations ensure that lifts can be used safely. It is very rare for a lift failure to occur that causes serious injuries or fatalities.