HEALTHCARE LIFTS
n Refresher training and competence assessment.
Arranging this can be challenging.
Release instructions provided in the lift machine room are generic, and do not highlight and manage the specific hazards. Our experience in generating lift-specific release instructions is based on carrying out the exercise on the actual lift. We find that real-world release techniques must differ from theoretical approaches, due to the type or condition of the equipment. Releasing doors in the real world can be particularly problematic, because the door releases are poorly adjusted, or the lift car doors are hard to overcome. Lift companies are either unwilling to
provide any training, or are ill equipped to deliver formal training sessions in accordance with the requirements of both HTM 08-02 and the healthcare staff carrying out the release.
Machine room-less lifts The trend towards machine room-less lifts requires product specific release techniques, and, due to the remoteness of the lift machine, a different set of assumptions needs to be taught. In carrying out training and demonstrations, we have found a high proportion of passenger release equipment failures, indicating that this is not a maintenance focus. Identifying this failure during an emergency release is too late, so is a compelling reason to carry out independent audits to identify any problems beforehand.
Lifts need active consideration and management, as they are essential to the smooth running of the healthcare facility.
In reality, due to the high cost of lift work, this value should be no less than £1000, as below this is effectively a basic contract anyway.
Need for independent auditing Whichever contract coverage is in place, independent auditing is essential. For comprehensive cover this will ensure that the contractor is investing sufficiently in maintaining the lifts. For more basic contracts, a check on routine maintenance and adjustment is required to ensure that neglect does not lead to expensive (and lucrative) larger repairs. Unsurprisingly, independent audits are also a requirement of HTM 08-02.
Our independent maintenance audits
are undertaken in detail, and generate an unambiguous quality score. This has proven useful to track performance and – over several cycles, coupled with feedback and reviews – is proven to improve the performance and reliability of the lifts.
52 Health Estate Journal May 2023
How do we manage passenger entrapments? Becoming trapped in a lift is a distressing experience, but in a healthcare environment can also have life- threatening implications. It is for this reason that HTM 08-02 recommends that site response to a trapped passenger incident should be no more than an hour. In practice, this is very difficult for a contractor to achieve, particularly out of hours. HTM 08-02 recognises the prospect of Estates personnel releasing trapped passengers. This is hazardous, and discouraged in general, as passengers in good health are deemed safer in a lift than subject to an inexperienced and potentially dangerous release. HTM 08-02 therefore demands: n Lift-specific release instructions. n Formal training for release wardens every three years, consisting of a classroom theory session, practical training, and written test.
Managing lifecycle replacement, lift failure, and new installations Established healthcare premises and estates typically have numerous lifts of varying ages and types. Investment in lift stock can be in the form of retrofitting safety features, or lifecycle investment involving replacement or comprehensive refurbishment. Too often we witness contractor-led solutions that are inappropriate or not needed, driven by equipment failure or sales targets. Considered investment should look at capital spend more strategically, and be risk assessment-based. The NHS Estates guide, A risk based methodology for establishing and managing backlog, can be readily applied for lifts. A health and safety risk assessment following BS EN 81-80 is a more detailed methodology than that contained within the guide, but other considerations to make include engineering condition and serviceability/obsolescence. The resulting scoring methodology then prioritises investment need, assisting the Estates and Capital Planning team to formulate a considered investment plan. Lifecycle investment is a necessary
activity, and in larger estates can be almost
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