In December 2022, SafeWork Inspector’s attended a business after a passenger in an elevator sustained a serious injury to their face when the lift stopped during a power outage. While the passenger was trying to open the elevator door manually, the power was restored, and the lift started moving whilst the passenger was in the doorway resulting in severe facial injuries.
An inspection by Safe Work found that a switch in the controller was faulty and therefore, it allowed the lift to operate when its doors were partially or fully open, creating a very unsafe environment for those inside.
If you have elevators at your workplace, remember to include them as part of your inspection checklist to ensure they are regularly maintained by a competent person with the knowledge and expertise to identify hazards and risks associated with lift systems.
