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KKemp  
#1 Posted : 21 January 2014 15:37:14(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
KKemp

Hello, Would like you advice, we had a power outage in a lift which stopped very suddenly due to this. Someone was in the lift and because of the impact had to stay in hospital. I know lifts need to stop suddently in these circumstances but should they really stop in a way that can injure someone? This is why i question if this is a reportable under the above? Thanks for your advice, Katie
Sandan  
#2 Posted : 22 January 2014 11:45:03(UTC)
Rank: Forum user
Sandan

To answer the issues (as I see them) in order It is a RIDDOR - someone was injured, in hospital etc so needs reporting. THEN you need to do a thorough investigation including the questions about stopping and how etc. and if they do/not cause injury. Hope this helps.
jay  
#3 Posted : 22 January 2014 12:11:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
jay

Was that someone an employee or not? If an employee, the previous blanket aspect as a "Major Injury" (RIDDOR 1995)if the hospital stay was more than 24 hours no longer applies as it has become a "Specified Injury"(RIDDOR 2013)more specific with reference to working in an enclosed space :- (h)any other injury arising from working in an enclosed space which— . (i)leads to hypothermia or heat-induced illness; or . (ii)requires resuscitation or admittance to hospital for more than 24 hours, If it did not result in a Specified Injury, you only have to report to HSE is the over 7 day threshold was crossed, but you do have to keep a local record if only the over 3-day threshold was crossed. If it was any injury to a member of public, then the fact that the person was taken to hospital for treatment makes it a RIDDOR reportable.
Canopener  
#4 Posted : 22 January 2014 12:15:54(UTC)
Rank: Super forum user
Canopener

Katie, you’re in danger of getting responses on 2 different aspects; reporting for the injury and reporting for a dangerous occurrence (which is what your post seems to be about) On the injury front, there isn’t enough information to determine whether this is reportable or not. That ‘someone’ has gone to hospital does NOT in itself trigger a report; it would depend on whether this was an employee or someone ‘not at work’. If the latter it might be reportable, otherwise not unless the injury is over 7 days or specified. On the dangerous occurrence front I don’t think it falls under any of the reportable categories including those relating to lifting equipment. I aren’t a lift expert but my admittedly limited knowledge suggests that most (not all) work on the principle of a motor, cable drum etc. I would say that if the power fails then either the drum stops pretty quickly (a motor needs power to operate) and/or the drum brake fails to safe and is applied bringing the car to a stop pretty quickly. I could be wrong. Overall I would suggest that it isn’t reportable as a DO but that doesn’t stop you making enquiries with our lift maintenance company with regards to your concerns.
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