How often do you think about Lift Guarding?
A topic, not without controversy or debate, Colin Craney explores how the lift guarding regulations, and associated case law, have impacted industry practices today.
A recent LinkedIn post advocating the use of quick-release fixings for a lift machine sheave guard, coupled with my day-to-day observations of guarding installed to lifts, made me think that a short reflection on the requirements for lift guarding might be appropriate.
Colin considers the UK’s primary legislation and subsequent regulations and how it covers the issue of lift guarding.
BS EN ISO 14120:2015 provides additional guidance in the form of general requirements for the design, construction and selection of guards provided to protect persons from mechanical hazards.
As with any statutory requirement, case law has shaped the implementation of lift guarding over the years. Colin considers the implications of the 1978 case of British Airways (BA) v. Henderson (Environmental Health Officer).
Whilst the EHO relied upon s.17(1) of the Shops, Offices & Railway Premises 1963 (which required the guarding of dangerous parts of machinery), BA cited s.17(3) (which provided for examination of a dangerous part whilst in motion if this could only be carried out whilst in motion) and upon provisions of BS2655 Part 10 and the fact that whilst pulleys required guards, sheaves were not specifically mentioned
Colin continues to evaluate how cost cutting exercises and industry ‘assumptions’ have affected the use of lift guarding.
Does he think, from his everyday experience, that lift guarding has improved in recent years? Click here to read the full article to find out.
Colin Craney has 42 years of industry experience, initially in a number of field and management roles with Otis, followed by 17 years in consulting, currently for SVM Associates. Colin is a U.K. chartered engineer and a fellow of CIBSE, European engineer, chartered safety and health practitioner, accredited consultant on the HSE Occupational Safety and Health Consultants Register and a member of the Chartered Institution of Occupational Safety and Health. Colin is a barrister, having been called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
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