Health & Safety Risk Assessments
All lift equipment and associated areas should have risk assessments undertaken to ensure the safe operation of the equipment and ensure passengers, engineers and the public are safe when in or around the lift.
What is BS EN 81-80?
BS EN 81-80 is part of the European Standard EN 81 (which covers the upgrading of existing lifts to ensure they are safe to use by all members of the public and those who work on them). This safety standard aims to match the safety levels of existing lifts, with that of brand new lifts, providing a guide to the risk assessment of a lift and subsequent recommendations for improving safety.
The risk assessment helps to identify 74 hazardous situations that could be present on an existing lift. The standard enables each lift to be audited according to the frequency and severity of any single risk, ranging from a high to a low risk.
This audit helps to prioritise any lift modernisation work required and indicates when work is likely to be required, demonstrating that a reasonable approach has been made to manage the risk. It also enables lift owners to plan their budgetary provision for safety improvements.
What are some of the adjustments that are likely to be required for the lift?
Adjustments to improve safety for passengers and engineers may include:
- Improving floor levelling at each landing
- Installing a 24-hour two-way communication device
- Installing a safety device to remove the risk to passengers of being struck by closing doors
- Installing an apron to the lift car sill
- Ensuring space is available for a lift service engineer to safely work at the top and bottom of your lift shaft
- Installing permanent, effective shaft lighting that illuminates the area for a lift engineer(s) to work in
- Ensuring a safe means of access is available to the machine room/cabinet
- Installing a balustrade on the lift car roof
- Ensuring the main electric switch for the lift can be locked-off
Once identified, do I need to modernise my lift to meet the requirements fully?
Conforming to this standard helps lift owners meet their responsibilities under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER) and Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment 1998 (LOLER) which are legal requirements.
Summary
It is impossible to predict costs that might arise out of implementing future legislative changes which are not always required to have immediate effect. Therefore, to budget for possible expenditure, the building maintenance manager must be aware of prospective changes at the earliest possible time. It is desirable to take this into account when looking at long term budgeting and servicing arrangements.