1. SAFETY OF ELEVATORS AND ESCALATORS IN BUILDINGS
Presentation by
John Mutswatiwa
CHIEF INSPECTOR OF FACTORIES

2. OBJECTIVES
To provide a basic understanding of Elevator and Escalator functionality
To highlight statutory obligations of stakeholders.
To highlight safety best practises when transporting people in buildings.
To expose Elevator and Escalator hazards with mitigation to prevent accidents.

3. PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Definitions
Key legislative provisions
Elevator stakeholders and their duties
Elevator accident statistics
Way forward
Conclusion

4. DEFINITIONS
“competent person” means a person who has served an apprenticeship in an appropriate trade or who has had not less than five years’ experience in working with machinery, and has a thorough knowledge of the machinery or class of vessel of which he is in charge or which he may be required to examine.
“elevator” means any elevator, lift, hoist or other appliance used in a building for the raising and lowering of persons by means of a car, cage, cradle or other conveyance in a hatchway on fixed guides

5. “escalator” means a power driven continuous stair-way, incorporating moving parts and handrail intended for conveyance of persons from one level to another.
“hatchway” means any vertical or inclined way in which an elevator is operated
“inspector” means an inspector appointed in terms of section 4 of the Act.
“user” means any occupier or builder, or the persons or person owning or leasing machinery

6. ELEVATOR

7. ELEVATOR

8. ELEVATOR MOTOR ROOM-MACHINE
controller

9. MOTOR ROOM LESS ELEVATOR
machine

10. CAR TOP

11. ELEVATOR HATCHWAY
DANGER OF
FALLING
GUIDE RAIL
LANDING DOOR
HATCHWAY

12. ESCALATOR

13. ESCALATOR

14. ELEVATOR AND ESCALATOR STAKEHOLDERS
User or Owner of 951 working out of a total of 1379.
Elevator Service Company
Responsible Person for machinery
Competent person (lift technician)
Public using the elevator
Regulator
Property Manager

15. The erection or use permission. The use of non complying
FACTORIES & WORKS (ELEVATOR & ESCALATOR ) REGULATIONS 1976; RGN 278 OF 1976 AS AMENDED
Prohibits:-
The erection or use permission.
The use of non complying
The changes or alterations without permission
The use of uninspected and tested

16. REGULATOR DUTIES Process applications
To issue permission to erect or use
To carry out statutory inspection
Impose sanctions on inspection findings
To attend to public complaints
To enforce the provisions of the law
Investigate failures and accidents

17. Apply for permission to erect or use Appoint Responsible Person
USER OR OWNER DUTIES
Apply for permission to erect or use
Appoint Responsible Person
Appoint a competent person(s) or competent company
To supervise service
Insure statutory inspections are done
Comply with the law or stop use
Report any dangerous occurrence
Report repairs, and decommissions

18. SERVICE PROVIDER DUTIES
To carry out weekly and monthly service
Record inspection findings in record book
Report any dangerous condition
Stop use for non compliance
Ensure public safety

19. COLLECTIVE SAFETY INSPECTIONS
Identifying hazards not identified at design stage
elimination or control of unsafe practices, unsafe conditions and unsafe procedures.
safety control measures effectiveness evaluation
report elevator safety performance
compare compliance with legal requirements.
Identifying hazards peculiar to technological changes

20. BENEFITS OF INSPECTION
Hazards are identified and eliminated
Plugs to preclude loss of life, damage to equipment and loss of business
Inspection results influence user future action
Tool for improved and guaranteed Elevator and Escalator safety.

21. Annually or periodically Gvt inspector Elevator Register F.E.4
EQUIPMENT
INSPECTION TYPE
INSPECTION
FREQUENCY
BY WHO
RECORD
ELEVATORS
&
ESCALATORS
Critical parts
At least Weekly
Appointed Competent Person
Elevator Record book
Entire plant
At least Monthly
Annually or periodically
Gvt inspector
Elevator Register F.E.4

22. ELEVATOR ACCIDENTS IN ZIMBABWE
DATE OF ACCIDENT
PLACE OF ACCIDENT
ACCIDENT RESULT
STAKEHOLDER INVOLVED
HOW IT HAPPENED
18 MARCH 2015
HARARE
DEATH X 1
&
2 INJURED
LIFT/ ELEVATOR TECHNICIANS
A FALL DURING DISMANTLING OF AN ELEVATOR
3 JULY 2015
BULAWAYO
DEATH X 2
A TECHNICIAN & A PUBLIC MEMBER EMPLOYED AT THE BUILDING
DURIING RESCUE OPERATION OF A TRAPPED PERSON
20 OCT 2015
SERIOUS INJURY TO LUMBER SPINE
PUBLIC
SWING DOOR OPENED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN ELEVATOR CAR

26. RECOMMENDATION
Amendment of legislation to incorporate duties of elevator designers, manufacturers, importers, installers and service.
Regular skills development of elevator stakeholders
To decommission obsolete elevator installations and renew or replace them.
Improved communication amongst stakeholders.

27. CONCLUSION
Elevator and Escalator safety is a collective stakeholder responsibility.
Every member of these efforts is as important as parts of a machine; without one, the whole machine will not function.
The common enemy, hazards.
Goal zero accidents.

28. THE END
I thank you !

29. References
EN 81-1 :-Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts - Part 1 : Electric lifts
Factories & Works Act Chapter 14:08 & its Regulations
ISO Cranes Inspection
ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Conformity assessment-Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection
Statutory Instrument 109 of 1990