ESW- 8 :- Working In A Elevator Pit

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Elevator, Escalator & MovingWalk

WORKING IN A ELEVATOR PIT

HAZARDS:

• 
  Crushing hazard from car or counterweight coming down to bottom of shaft.
  
• Rotating hazard of governor sheave and compensator sheave.
• Falling hazard on ladder.
• Slipping hazard due to oil on pit floor.
• Tripping hazard of equipment on pit floor.
• People walking into lift shaft through bottom landing doorway.
• Electric shock
• Being hit by moving Trailing cables/flexes
• Sumps
• Accumulation of Gases
• Vermin
• Needles

CONTROLS:

• Prior to descending the ladder, ensure that the Trailing cables/flexes do not pose an entanglement hazard.
• Prior to starting work perform a quick visual check for evidence of vermin or discarded needles. If either of these is present arrange with the building management for their removal.
• Gases should not usually present a risk. However, if gases are suspected to be present arrange with the building management to have the atmosphere in the pit tested to ensure it is safe to enter
• Do not remain in the lift pit when the lift is running on automatic. Elevator may be run at “Contract/Normal Speed” provided:
• a second technician  has control of the lift and
• the person in the pit stands in the “PERSON CLEARANCE ZONE” whilst the lift is being moved or where the clearance zone is not marked, determines a safe standing place prior to the lift being moved and remains there whilst the lift is moving
• Switch the lift off using the pit Stop Switch when you are working in the pit. Verify bottom Stop Switch works.
• Be aware of moving components in the lift pit, including the car, the counterweight, the ropes and compensator chain, the governor and compensator sheave, and lifts in adjacent lift shafts
• Ensure that the pit is clean and well lit at all times.
• Never leave the bottom floor landing door fully open and/or unattended unless there is a locked safety cage or barrier in place around the entrance.
• Do not work above or below another person.
• Gloves should NOT be worn when working near moving machinery.
• Never assume that turning off the Safety Switch/E Stop will isolate the electrical circuit of the item you are working on. The Safety Switch/E Stop is designed to stop the lift, not isolate every circuit. The circuit may have to be isolated by switching off the main breaker in the motor room. Test it before you touch it!