Technical Resources
Statutory Reporting of Lift Safety Inspections
Please go to our survey here (it should take less than 5 minutes).The Issue in Brief
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is considering proposals to improve the process by which thorough examination of lifts under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) are reported. This is in response to some concerns raised by some local authorities. The HSE would like to avoid changes to the LOLER regulations itself and would prefer to establish a consensus between the duty holders, lift inspectors and Local Authorities.
Regulation 9 of the LOLER requires that in-service thorough examinations take place to ensure the continued safe use of the equipment. These examinations are required to take place every six months for passenger lifts and annually for goods lifts, unless a risk assessment shows the frequency should be reduced or increased.
Following an examination a report should be issued by the competent person, and there is an example in CIBSE Guide D "Transportation Systems in Buildings" the Guide. The requirements of such a report are detailed in Regulation 10 of the regulations. CIBSE Guide D advises that "many people still know this report as an ‘insurance inspection'. This is incorrect as it is a statutory inspection". A LOLER examination must also be carried out after substantial or significant changes have occurred, e.g. modernisation, major repair or after an exceptional circumstance, e.g. an accident.
Why is CIBSE asking you for your views?
CIBSE has been approached by the HSE as we have contact with the duty holders (CIBSE facilities management group) and lift specialists (CIBSE lifts group) as well as good links with BIFM. We would like to find out what the members of these groups and BIFM think of the current arrangements, what their experiences have been, and what actions would improve the process.
Keeping you Informed
We will publish the results later in the year and keep you informed of any changes to current procedures through the CIBSE Website, e-brief and Journal. Thanks very much for your help.
