HSE Alarmed by Elevator Dismantling Shortcuts
Recent investigations, including of some fatalities, suggest poor work practices are common during dismantling or demolition operations, according to the agency.
Britain's Health and Safety Executive has become concerned about what is apparently poor risk management during the dismantling or demolition of lifts in buildings being remodeled or demolished. Its new safety alert says recent accident investigations, including fatalities, suggest poor work practices are common during these activity, prompting the release of the document.
Work on any lift should be done only after thorough planning to ensure the risks are understood and can be managed, it states.
The document lists two British Standards that bear on these activities:
- BS 6187:2011 Code of Practice for Full and Partial Demolition's Clause 5.2.2 on risk management, and BS 6187:2011 Clause 8.2 (j), which refers to controlled release of stored energy in strong springs or suspended counterweights
- BS 7255:2012 Code of Practice for Safe Working on Lifts' Annex E clause E.7 Dismantling, which refers to items of equipment not being allowed to free fall, and BS 7255:2012 Clause 5.2, demonstrable competence in basic lift safety can be achieved with NCQ EOR/202 "Working safely in an engineering environment - Basic lift safety," although other suitable certified achievements might exist.