WorkSafe issues warning on home-made lifts
Issue Date: - Friday, 18 April 2008
The investigation into a recent incident involving a home-made lift in which three people were seriously injured has led to a warning on this type of lift device.
Three people were seriously injured in February when a home-made lift in a bed and breakfast establishment at Quinns Rock failed and fell from the third floor to ground level.
The owner of the establishment had his right arm amputated as a result of the incident, and the other two people in the lift sustained serious leg injuries.
WorkSafe WA Commissioner Nina Lyhne said today that the investigation had raised concerns that other dangerous lifts not installed by professionals could exist elsewhere.
"This investigation has rung a few warning bells because we're not sure how many other similar devices may have been installed," Ms Lyhne said.
"The lift involved in this serious incident had been installed by an acquaintance of the home owner and did not comply with the relevant Australian Standard for Lifts.
"The hoist rope that raised and lowered the lift car failed because the rope was attached with the aid of rope clamps, which are not recommended for lifting loads, let alone people.
"The rope had pulled through the clamps – rope clamps are known to come loose, and require regular inspection and re-tightening, which is why they are not recommended for lifting purposes.
"It also did not automatically stop at floors, instead depending on lift passengers to press a button when the lift reached the desired level, exposing passengers to the risk of the lift colliding with the overhead structure when it reached the limit of its upward travel.
"With no electronic limits to stop the lift at the third floor, the hoist could potentially have continued to pull the rope through the clamps and detach the rope from the lift car, allowing the occupants to plunge three floors to the basement.
"Lifts on business premises and workplaces are required to be design registered and verified to the relevant Australian Standard and need to incorporate a regular inspection and maintenance schedule, neither of which were in place for this home-made lift.
"The home-made lift also incorporated a number of other hazards - for example, there were no interlocks, meaning that the entrance door on each level could be opened before the lift was in place, leaving an exposed lift shaft into which a person could unwittingly step.
"The recent incident should be seen as a warning to anyone who has a similar device to - at the very least - have it carefully checked to ensure it has the basic safety devices required by the Australian Standard, and that it is in a safe working condition.
"It should also serve to warn anyone considering having a lift installed that they should be professionally designed and installed and properly maintained to ensure their ongoing safety.
"Nobody wants to see a repeat of the tragic incident that happened in February."
Further information on lift safety can be obtained by telephoning WorkSafe on 9327 8777 or on the website at www.worksafe.wa.gov.au.