What are my responsibilities as a building owner?
As the duty holder you are legally responsible for ensuring that the lift is safe to use and that it is thoroughly examined. The responsibilities include:
- Maintaining the lift so that it is safe to use
- Selecting and instructing the competent person
- Ensuring that the lift is examined at statutory intervals (every 6 or 12 months) or in accordance with an examination scheme drawn up by a competent person
- Keeping the competent person informed of any changes in the lift operating conditions which may effect the risk assessment
- Making relevant documentation available to the competent person, e.g. manufacturers instructions and maintenance records
- Acting promptly to remedy any defects
- Ensuring that all documentation complies with the regulations
- Record Keeping
What is a Thorough Examination?
A thorough examination is a systematic and detailed examination of the lift and all its associated equipment by a competent person.
The Law requires that all lifts when in use be thoroughly examined at least every six months if the lift is used at any time to carry people, every twelve months if it carries loads; or in accordance with an examination scheme. And following 'exceptional circumstances' such as damage to, or failure of the lift, long periods out of use or a major change in operating conditions which is likely to affect the integrity of the equipment.
Note: When first installed, new lifts do not require any initial through examination as long as they have been installed in accordance with the lift regulations of 1997 and have a current declaration of conformity, ie made not more than twelve months before. A new lift is one where:
- No lift previously existed
- An existing lift has been completely replaced
- Only the guide rails of an existing lift have been retained
What is the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA)?
In brief, the DDA is an Act of Parliament that aims to reduce discrimination faced by disabled people. The Act has been developed over time through the introduction of the following parts:
- Employment
- Access to goods, facilities and services
- Education, incorporating the Special Educational Needs Act (SEND) 2001
- Public transport
LiftGlide is a trading division of EquiLift
EquiLift Limited is registered in England, number 2627772
VAT: GB 876 3278 82
Registered Office: 8 Barrington Park, Leycroft Road, Leicester LE4 1ET |
