Navigating Statutory Lift Inspections & SI 299
Understanding “NOW” to “C” type defects and Annex A supplementary safety tests for in-service lifts.
THOROUGH EXAMINATIONS OF LIFTS
The applicable Ireland Statutory Instrument – SI299 – is the ‘Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 2007’.
Within the Regulations there is a legal requirement to have a Lifting Equipment inspected
- Hoist or Lifts to have a Thorough Examination performed according to Schedule 1- Part B-Column 1
- Thorough Examination is at 6-month intervals according to Schedule 1 Part B- Column 2
- Must be carried out by a Competent Person. These are performed by:
- Insurance Companies In-House Inspectors – this is the norm.
- Separate registered companies that perform Inspections
- Clause 52 details the Thorough Examination of Lifting Equipment
- Clause 53 details the reporting requirements of the Examination findings
- It is a LEGAL requirement of the OWNER of the Lift that Thorough
Examinations are carried out at the intervals required
Clause 52 part 3 specifically states.
- An employer shall ensure that work equipment of a type or class listed in column 1 of Parts B or C of Schedule 1 is not used unless it has been examined by a competent person at least once in the period specified in column 2 of Parts B or C of that Schedule or as required under the other circumstances described in Part C.
- Schedule 1 Part B Column 1 refers to the type of equipment
- Schedule Part B Column 2 refers to the period of time that the examination to be performed
The Competent Person completes the Thorough Examination at a maximum period of 6 months since last Thorough Examination.
Clause 53 states.
1. A competent person carrying out an examination under Regulation 52 shall
- Prepare a report based on tests and examinations stated in Clause 52
- Identification of any repairs required
I. Inform in writing repairs that are required
II. Send a copy of the report within 20 days to the Owner
III. On the report define the time period when the repairs must be
2. The period of 6 months between Thorough Examinations can be reduced. The Thorough Examiner may request this due to the equipment but with justification completed by.
The details of the above issued on a report layout that meets the requirements of Schedule 1 Part E of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Applications) Regulations 2007. Sections 1 to 8 detail contents
FINDINGS DURING EXAMINATION
Findings during the Inspection will be noted and the ‘Defects’ that are noted are graded according to the severity.
“NOW” type: This defect in a statutory lift inspection refers to a non compliance issue requiring immediate cessation of work because it poses an immediate threat to health and safety. This is a serious finding that requires the lift to be taken out of service immediately until the defect is rectified and a follow-up inspection is completed.
“A” type: These are faults that pose a potential danger to people or property and must be fixed promptly, with a maximum timeframe of one month. To pass the inspection and receive a certificate, all “A” level faults must be repaired, and the inspection company must be notified in writing.
“NOW” and “A” type defects are critical safety issues discovered during a statutory lift inspection, which requires immediate notification to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA).
“B” type: These are faults that may or may not pose an immediate danger, such as general wear and tear on components. The equipment can continue to be used, but the fault must be addressed by the next service period.
“C” type: These are general observations or recommendations for improvement and are not considered safety defects. They are comments on the overall condition of the equipment.
The Competent Person that performed the Thorough Examination MAY seek further tests on a particular are of the lift.
Additional Tests and Examinations
After the completion of the Thorough Examination Inspection the Competent Person may require an additional Inspection that has documented findings.
SAFed developed a series of tests in 1998 for both Traction and Hydraulic Lifts that were superseded in 2006.
- The tests were – LG 1 year, LG 5 year and LG 10 year
- The Tests were updated in 2006 with additional inspections individualised and called ‘Supplementary Tests for in Service Lifts’.
The Test will be from a suite of ‘Supplementary Tests for in Service Lifts’.
These are Supplementary Tests that range from A1 to A25 are performed by the Lift Maintenance company or other Competent Registered company after receiving instruction to perform from the client. On completing the Supplementary Test(s) a certificate is issued with details of the works included
List of Supplementary Tests listed below.
Supplementary Tests
Annex A.1 Earth continuity
Annex A.2 Electric safety devices
Annex A.3 Terminal speed reduction systems
Annex A.4 Landing door interlocks
Annex A.5 Lift Machine – Investigatory test (TYPE A)
Annex A.6 Lift Machine – Comprehensive test (TYPE B)
Annex A.7 Overspeed governors
Annex A.8 Governor operated safety gear instantaneous type
Annex A.9 Governor operated safety gear progressive type
Annex A.10 Safety gear operated by other means
Annex A.11 Devices to prevent overspeed of the ascending lift carAnnex A.12 Unintended car movement protection
Annex A.13 Energy dissipation buffers
Annex A.14 Suspension system
Annex A.15 Car overload detection warning devices
Annex A.16 Hydraulic system
Annex A.17 Hydraulic cylinders in boreholes or similar locations
Annex A.18 Hydraulic rupture/restrictor valves
Annex A.19 Electrical anti-creep device
Annex A.20 Mechanical anti-creep device (Pawl or clamping device)
Annex A.21 Low pressure detection devices (Switch or valve)
Annex A.22 Traction, brake and levelling
REVISION 2022 Additional Supplementary Tests
Annex A.23 Car/counterweight balance
Annex A.24 Automatic power operated doors
Annex A.25 Other supplementary tests
Additional Supporting information for SAFed Supplementary Tests is available via LINK Supplementary Tests
Conclusion
- It is a LEGAL requirement that the client / owner of the Lift has the unit Inspected at 6 monthly intervals.
- Findings from the Thorough Examination must be acted upon to complete as defined by the ‘RATING’ of the DEFECT.
- Additional Inspections may be required if requested by the Thorough Examiner.
The Additional Inspection(s) will be performed and documented using one of the Annex A (1-25) forms.