Hi - Can you formulate your own easy to follow (low risk) safe procedure for bringing an hydraulic lift to floor level & releasing the passengers? Fire Brigade seem to say yes, lift company say's no, unless they provide training.

The lift company had provided a generic procedure that people had used for several years prior to my working here. There are obvious cost implications on a manpower turnover or three yearly basis, that would have to be sold to my Manager, when in the past there has been no need.

May be a bit of lateral thinking but if that were a window cleaners cradle - work at height and all that - you must have arrangements to retreive persons within a set time. I don't think waiting for Mr Otis to turn up in x hours is acceptable and in a similar vein the rescue service don't - they expect you to have some procedure in place yourself. The ex Lift Engineer in me says take care but the Safety Pro says Control through Competence. I'm more offay with rope drives that rely on the knowledgeable releasing the brake and winching down through the back pressure of the gearbox and a 60:1 gear ratio. Bloody hard work. Take Control Be Competent Communicate with the lift engineers to ensure no repeats and ensure you've not confused the proximities, safety systems etc.