Safety assessment federation publication - Guidelines on the supplementary tests of in-service lifts
OC 232/30
Introduction
1 These revised Guidelines were published in February 2006 and supersede 'Guidelines on the Thorough Examination and Testing of Lifts, Volumes 1 & 2' - sometimes referred to as 'LG1' - published by SAFed in December 1998.
Background to revision
2 The revision was considered necessary with the experience gained from the application of LG1, LOLER & PUWER. In particular, it was considered necessary to clarify the scope, status and purpose of the revised document. Also:
- terminology needed to be consistent as much as possible with that used in harmonised standards;
- changes in technology needed to be considered;
- references to risk assessment in the 1998 publication needed to be clarified;
- the 'legal commentary' section needed review and updating; and
- the certificates of supplementary test needed reviewing.
Production of the revision
3 The Industry Review Committee responsible for the revised publication was chaired by the HSE and had wide representation including representatives from Lift Manufacturers, Lift Engineers, Inspection Bodies, Consultants, Enforcing Authorities, Professional Bodies and Lift Owners/Users.
4 During drafting, the document went through significant consultation in order to get as wide a view as possible on its proposed contents.
5 The guidelines are industry guidance produced by industry and represent a consensus of practical lift industry experience subject to periodic review by industry.
About the revision
6 The title has changed from 'GUIDELINES ON THE THOROUGH EXAMINATION AND TESTING OF LIFTS' to ' Guidelines on the supplementary tests for in-service lifts' . The term 'thorough examination' has been left out of the title, to help stress the subject is that of 'supplementary tests' for in-service lifts.
7 The term 'supplementary tests' is used throughout the document. This is defined in the guidelines as 'Appropriate tests and/or examinations called for by the competent person where concerns regarding the condition of equipment arise from the thorough examination'. Also, the HSC's Approved Code of Practice and Guidance ref L113 for the Lifting Operation and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) states at paragraph 301, amongst other things ' The competent person should decide whether a test is necessary. The nature of the test method will be a matter for the competent person: they should determine the most appropriate method for carrying it out'
8 The guidelines can be applied to most lifts irrespective of age and type of drive, for example electric traction and hydraulic passenger and service lifts.
9 The main objective of the guidelines is to assist the competent person with compliance of LOLER Reg (9)(3)(a) and to help to achieve consistency with supplementary tests.
10 The guidelines state that it is the competent person undertaking the thorough examination who is responsible for the identification of any supplementary tests.
11 This revision is less prescriptive than the 1998 publication as these new guidelines require an assessment by the competent person undertaking the thorough examination, based on reasoned engineering judgement, to establish the type and extent of any supplementary tests needed.
12 The guidelines are not a written procedure for safe working and they do not provide the scope of a thorough examination. That is the responsibility of the competent person.
13 The guidelines are not intended to cover commissioning tests, or tests following repair, and they do not describe how supplementary tests are to be undertaken.
14 The competent persons undertaking thorough examinations can choose to use other means to meet their legal obligations.
15 The guidelines do not include every possible type of supplementary test and so are not considered exhaustive. There may be other supplementary tests that a competent person considers appropriate for the particular lift installation being thoroughly examined.
16 The guidelines no longer include a table of tests which were considered too prescriptive. This is to also reinforce the view that the decision for supplementary tests should be based on reasoned engineering judgement by the competent person undertaking the thorough examination.
17 These guidelines can be used by the competent person for consideration of supplementary tests during thorough examinations of lifts in non-LOLER premises as a way of meeting obligations imposed by the HSWA.
18 Example certificates and reports of supplementary tests are produced at Annex A of the publication. Use of these particular certificates and reports is not mandatory but the particulars they contain are important.
19 The certificates and reports provided for supplementary test are not reports of thorough examination, nor do they seek to replace lift commissioning test records. Reports for thorough examination completed under LOLER must contain the information contained in Schedule 1 of LOLER.
Copy of the guidelines for all HSE and LA inspectors
20 It has been agreed with SAFed that an electronic copy of the guidelines publication is made available free of charge to enforcement authorities for their sole use. Under no circumstances should the file be copied to another organisation. Hard copies have been issued to subject file 232. Additional hard copies can be purchased by other organisations direct from SAFed.
Date first issued: 19 June 2006