This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
HEALTH & SAFETY


ELEVATING HEALTH


AND SAFETY


It is of paramount importance that safety surrounding lifts continues to develop as efficiently as possible.


With several options for Facilities Managers to consider, Jim Johnson, HSQE Manager at Apex Lifts, explores the best ways to maintain a secure elevator system.


Not everybody is aware that lifts are the safest form of mechanical transport; the


industry famously takes health and


safety very seriously.


Lift rules and regulations are continuously evolving and improving and the strict but effective guidelines that are put in place allow Facilities Managers to maintain safe lift systems across the UK.


Despite Facilities Managers’ best efforts, accidents do still occasionally happen. For passengers, being struck by lift doors is the number one hazard and is largely down to user error - for example, a passenger may attempt to run for a lift and try to prevent the doors from closing by sticking their hand or arm between the doors. Upgrades to lift detection systems are of the utmost importance but lift safety starts with the early education of passengers. Signs, visual aids and advising frequent lift users is a Facilities Manager’s best bet to ensure that they do not get injured.


One of the most avoidable of elevator-related injuries, and the second largest user hazard, is a mis-levelled lift. This occurs when the lift arrives at a landing and the lift car floor is either a few inches above or below the landing floor level, causing a trip hazard. This is largely affected by the age of


50 | TOMORROW’S FM


the lift equipment and the weight within the lift car. Advances in lift machines and controllers have come a long way to combat this problem. It is really important to have lifts maintained every month if possible.


For lift engineers, the most recurrent incidents are falls from height. This comes from a multitude of sources including poor or missing car top barriers, poor ladder access to lift machine rooms and poor ladder access to lift pits. Other issues include non-lockable isolators and poor guarding. It is odd that Lockout-tagout, (a safety procedure ensuring that machinery is properly shut off and not able to be started up again prior to the completion of maintenance), is used regularly by all other trades but is an overlooked safety precaution in the lift industry. A fair number of lift electrical isolators do not have the ability to apply a safety lock-out padlock to enable safe working on lift equipment.


With technological advancements affecting every part of life, the lift industry has not been untouched by modern improvements and it is important for Facilities Managers to embrace the fast-changing trends in the industry. Technology in newly installed lifts is helping to provide a safer working environment in many ways. The forthcoming new lift Harmonised Standards, as a recognised by the European


”LIFTS SHOULD BE CHECKED


FOR ASBESTOS, PARTICULARLY IN OLDER FACILITIES.”


Commission is the best reference point for all Facilities Managers, make major changes to the way that new lifts will be installed as well as a number of changes that enhance the safe working environment of the lift engineer directly.


Lifts should be checked for asbestos, particularly in older facilities. Many asbestos surveys simply state that there is no access to the lift shaft, lift machines or lift controllers, therefore it is an important responsibility of the Facilites Manager to check this issue.


Engineers’ comments should always be taken note of - some Facilities Managers may never see the inside of a lift shaft and may not be aware whether the lift behind the doors is safe or not. Lifts must be well maintained at all times and must receive thorough inspections at the appropriate intervals. In addition, lift users should be educated as soon as possible about any potential hazards.


www.apexlifts.com twitter.com/TomorrowsFM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76