What is BS 7255:2023 – Safe working on lifts about?
In response to changes in the base standard for the design of lifts, and taking on board user feedback, BS 7255:2023 is the newly revised national standard giving recommendations for owners and workers on safe working practices when working on lifts.
Who is BS 7255:2023 – Safe working on lifts for?
- lift maintenance companies including supervisors/managers and people working
- inspection bodies and people carrying out inspection and thorough examination
- lift owners and lift owners’ representatives
- others involved in working on lifts in any capacity (links with ISO 45001 and other OH&S-related standards, including lone working)
- others involved in training and support of one of the above groups.
What does BS 7255:2023 – Safe working on lifts cover?
BS 7255:2023 gives recommendations for safe working practices (supported by training) for:
- owners of permanently installed lifts serving defined landing levels
- persons having effective control of the premises where such lifts are installed
- persons responsible for, and involved in, the design, installation, commissioning, testing, maintenance, thorough examination, inspection, repair and dismantling of such lifts.
The recommendations in this standard assume that a lift is complete.
BS 7255:2023 gives recommendations for the safety of persons when gaining access to and from the work area on a lift installation and while working there. The recommendations also relate to the safety of others present in the vicinity, whether they are working or not, who could be endangered by the actions of those working on lifts.
Why should you use BS 7255:2023 – Safe working on lifts?
- It increases protection for workers. BS 7522:2023 gives authoritative and trusted recommendations that increase the safety of working practices on lifts.
- It’s better than ever. BS 7522:2023 has been modernized to incorporate new lifts, new safe working procedures and improvements to the safety of existing lifts. It also reflects experience gained in the industry and from accidents since the last revision to include new guidance in new areas (see What’s new for details).
- It’s more user-friendly. Acting on user feedback, the structure has been revised to increase readability.
- It can help build lift engineers’ confidence and expertise, helping with recruitment and retention of the best talent and skills.
- It can strengthen risk management of lift maintenance companies.
BS 7255:2023 contributes to UN Sustainable Development Goal 3 on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being and Goal 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.
What’s new about BS 7255:2023?
BS 7255:2023 supersedes BS 7255:2012, which is withdrawn. This new edition:
- reflects changes in the base standard for the design of new lifts BS EN 81-20 Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts — Lifts for the transport of persons and goods - Passenger and goods passenger lifts
- includes references for the improvement of lifts in BS EN 81-80 Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts – Existing lifts - Rules for the improvement of safety of existing passenger and goods passenger lifts
- reflects changes to the detailed requirements in relevant legislation and published codes of practice
- improves the standard’s structure to aid readability
- includes further guidance on aspects such as:
- understanding the application of thorough examination in different contexts
- references to industry guidance detailing qualifications in support of training and competence
- training of people undertaking the release of passengers trapped (shut-in) in a lift including where the release is by persons within the lift owners’ organisation
- removal of an unsafe lift from service
- returning a lift to service especially after changes have been made to it
- the well-being of a person working with others
- the importance of having up to date details for the lift and steps that might be taken where these are not present.
