Guide on
Safety in Lift Repair &
Maintenance
Occupational Safety and Health Branch
Labour Department
Introduction
This guide aims to enhance the safety awareness of the personnel associated with lift repair and
maintenance, including the management and front-line staff in the trade. It points out the major hazards
associated with the work and the necessary precautions for preventing accidents.
Hazards in lift repair and maintenance
Lift repair and maintenance is potentially hazardous. It could easily cause accidents and even fatalities
to personnel carrying out the work.
Common causes of serious accidents in the trade :
1. Electrocution
Electrocuted while working inside the lift shaft
Electrocuted while working inside the lift machine room
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2. Trapping hazards
Trapped between the ascending lift car and the soffit of the lift shaft
Trapped between the ascending lift car and the door opening
Trapped between the descending lift car and shaft structure/the counterweight inside the
lift shaft
Trapped between the descending lift car and the bottom of the lift pit
Trapped by dangerous parts of machinery inside the lift machine room
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3. Fall of persons
Fall from the top of the lift car to the bottom of the lift pit
Fall through the opened landing door into the lift shaft
4. Struck by falling objects
Hand tools or parts of lift car fall from height to the lift shaft during lift repair and maintenance
Object fall from the top of the lift car down the lift shaft
Objects fall through the landing door down the lift shaft
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5 Fire
Ignition of flammable substances or material by heat source arising from operations involving the use
of naked flame, e.g., welding or flame cutting operations, or smoking
Welding operations with the presence of flammable substances in the vicinity
Heat source arising from smoking
Safety precautions in lift repair and maintenance
– To plan an operation, carry out risk assessment at the workplace, and devise safety measures
covering the lifting and transportation of large machinery parts, the replacement of components, wires
and ropes, manual handling, emergency preparedness (e.g. rescue procedures and arrangements for
evacuations), the appointment of trained and competent supervisors and engineering personnel, and the
effective implementation of established safety plans
– To strictly follow safe codes of practices and the recommendations of lift manufacturers
– To provide engineering personnel with suitable technical and safety training in lift repair and
maintenance relevant to the lift systems
– To provide engineering personnel with information, instruction, training and supervision to
ensure their safety and health in lift repair and maintenance work. Such shall cover the aspects on
engineering and technical data (such as plans and manuals) essential for the work, identified hazards of
the work, safe use of tools, plant and equipment, relevant safety precautions to be taken, and safe code
of practices and emergency procedures to be followed. Drills on steps and procedures to be followed
should be performed periodically and form part of the refreshment safety and health training.
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– To employ sufficient number of qualified engineering personnel to carry out the operations
– To appoint sufficient number of experienced and trained persons to supervise the lift repair and
maintenance work, and put the supervisory records in writing
– As far as practicable, to arrange at least two engineering personnel, or according to nature and
complexity of work, more than two engineering personnel to work in one team. If it is unavoidable for
one engineering personnel to work alone, special safety precautions and communication methods
should be devised. Effective communication devices shall be provided to and arranged for the
engineering personnel at work. The work carried out by those engineering personnel should be
inspected and supervised from time to time to ensure their safety.
– To ensure the tools and equipment are suitably maintained and used
– To provide sufficient lighting and ventilation inside the lift machine room and lift shaft
– To post permanent warning notices at the entrance doors of the lift machine room
– To prohibit unauthorized entry into the lift machine room; lock the doors after work
– To provide suitable personal protective equipment such as safety helmets, goggles, gloves and
safety belts to every engineering personnel at work and ensure that they are properly used
– To inform responsible person and the authority immediately in case of accident or dangerous
occurrence
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Fall Prevention
To provide safe access for workmen to gain access
to the bottom of the lift pit for work
To post warning notices at every landing place;
the lift car doors and landing doors should be kept
closed at all times
To provide suitable railings at the top of the lift car,
and restrict the number of workmen working on top
of the lift car
To erect suitable barriers and post warning
notices at landings with opened doors
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Safety Precautions when Working at the Bottom of Lift Pit
– To ensure the engineering personnel are well versed in the type of plant installed at the bottom
of the lift pit
– To establish safe communication methods among persons of difference parties involved in the
job
– To test the various stopping devices of the lift system before work
– To activate the plant stopping device provided at the bottom of the lift pit to prevent undue
movement of the lift car before starting work at the bottom of the lift pit
– To provide safe means of access and egress
– To provide suitable communication devices
– To erect suitable and effective barriers and warning signs at the door entrance at the lowest lift
landing floor before entrance to the bottom of the lift pit for work
– To take precautions against tripping or slipping hazards
Fore Precautions
– To use non-flammable scaffolding materials for scaffolds inside the lift shaft
– To provide emergency arrangement in case of fire
alarm system evacuation procedures fire fighting equipment
– To provide and maintain suitable lighting at exits and escape routes, keep them free from
obstructions and post sufficient number of notices
– To store flammable substances inside suitable containers fitted with tightly closed lids with
suitable labels, and store the containers at suitable places
– To ensure that workplaces involving the use of flammable substances are well-ventilated and
completely segregated from hot work processes
To clear and remove all wastes contaminated
with grease or oil from the lift pit or lift car
top before leaving the workplace
To appoint sufficiently trained and
experienced persons to supervise all lift
repair and maintenance work, including hot
work processes and the use of flammable
substances
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Precautions against Electrical Hazards
– To ensure the safe use of electricity to prevent accidents
– To provide effective earthing and insulation protection to electrical apparatus; electrical supply
to lightings should be of a safe low voltage
– To switch off the electrical supply to electrical apparatus and lock the switch boxes before work
– To avoid carrying out electrical work while standing on metal structure or parts or in water.
Avoid working on live electrical equipment
– To carry out thorough inspection and testing of equipment only when they are cut off from
electrical supply; the electrical supply should only be switched on after the circuit system has been
proved to be functioning properly
Prevention of Trapping Hazards
– To provide effective guarding to dangerous parts of machinery; any guard required to be
removed for repairing or maintenance shall be re-instated immediately after work
– To test and check the effectiveness and function of all the switches (such as the emergency stop,
starting / stopping devices, and safety switches) before starting work. The circuits of safety switches
should not be by-passed or tempered unless there are sound and good engineering reasons. In case that
there is such a need due to engineering reason, sufficient safety precautions shall be taken first to
ensure safety of the workmen at work
– To switch off the main supply switch, lock the switch boxes and post warning notices in certain
process, e.g. replacement of wire ropes
– To completely isolate all electrical controls and activating devices before working on any piece
of machinery with running parts
– To remove the fuses, close and lock the doors of the panels of the circuit breakers or switches
when isolation of the control of the plant is required
Precautions for Lifting Operations
– To use mechanical equipment and plant of suitable design for transporting and lifting
operations; the lifting equipment and plant shall be tested and thoroughly examined by a Registered
Professional Engineer prior to use; they should be used in a safe manner within their safe lifting
capacities; the lifting process should not endanger other persons
Duties of Workmen
– To have general duty of care for the safety of himself and other persons
– To carry out work in accordance with instructions, safe code of practices and established
emergency procedures
– To co-operate with employers and follow safety rules
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References
– Code of Practice for Safety at Work (Lift and Escalator)
– Guidance Notes on Fire Safety at Workplaces
– Five steps to risk assessment
– A Casebook of Fatal Accidents in Lift Installation, Maintenance and Repairing Work
Enquiry
If you wish to enquire about this guide or require advice on occupational safety and health, you can
contact the Occupational Safety and Health Branch of the Labour Department.
Telephone : 2559 2297 (auto-recording after office hours)
Fax : 2915 1410
E-mail: enquiry@labour.gov.hk
Information on the services offered by the Labour Department and on major Labour Legislation can
also be found by visiting our website http://www.labour.gov.hk.
Complaints
If you have any complaints about unsafe workplaces and practices, please call the Labour Departments
occupational safety and health complaint hotline at 2542 2172.
Published by the Labour Department
8/2006-1-L17b
