All in-service lifts that a business has should be subjected to regular supplementary tests. These tests have been designed by a Review Committee comprising owners, users, lift manufacturers, lift maintenance companies, inspection bodies, lift consultants, enforcement authorities and other professional bodies and chaired by the Health and Safety Executive.
Who Carries Out The Supplementary Test?
The supplementary test is to be carried out by your building’s competent person. This is a person who has appropriate practical and theoretical knowledge and experience of the lifting equipment. They will be responsible for detecting defects or weaknesses and assessing the importance to the safety and continued safe use of the list equipment.
Thorough Examination
For thorough examinations the competent person should make a systematic and detailed examination of the lift and all its associated equipment. The aim of the thorough examination is to detect any defects which are, or might become, dangerous. The competent person is responsible for reporting any of their findings to the dutyholder, and if appropriate, the enforcing authority (Health and Safety Executive or Local Authority).
Supplementary Tests
These tests are called for by the competent person where any concerns regarding the condition of the equipment arise through the thorough examinations. The competent person needs to be able to decide whether a test is necessary as well as deciding on the most appropriate method for carrying out the test so as not to disrupt any day-to-day activity.
Supplementary tests support the thorough examinations in order to establish the equipment’s suitability for continued use by staff and visitors. Any test, which can only be ordered by the competent person, will need to be undertaken and documented so that any further examinations can be informed in future. Failure to complete the supplementary testing may preclude the completion of the subsequent thorough examination and in some cases the competent person may need to be witness to the supplementary tests and any lift maintenance that is undertaken as a result.