Essential Safety Checks You Can Carry Out on Your Platform Lift

Across the UK, there are an estimated 300,000 passenger lifts in daily operation, serving flats, hospitals, offices, retail centres and public transport hubs. An engineering review of almost 7,000 of those lifts found that around 20% had defects significant enough to risk being taken out of service, with common faults linked to backup batteries and emergency communication systems.

Most of those issues begin as small, visible warning signs.

Professional servicing and statutory inspections remain essential. However, simple, non-technical lift safety checks carried out between visits can help identify early problems, improve wheelchair lift safety and support compliance.

This guide explains what you can reasonably check, and what must always be left to qualified engineers.

Why Regular Lift Safety Checks Matter

A lift is a working piece of machinery. It carries people, often individuals with impaired mobility who rely on consistent and safe access. When something goes wrong, the consequences can affect safety, accessibility and legal compliance.

Routine lift safety checks help to:

• Protect users and passengers
• Identify faults before they develop into breakdowns
• Reduce downtime and emergency call-outs
• Demonstrate responsible management under UK safety law

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, along with LOLER and PUWER regulations, duty holders must ensure equipment is maintained in a safe condition. While thorough examinations must be conducted by competent professionals, regular monitoring between services demonstrates due diligence.

What Safety Checks Can Be Carried Out Without an Engineer?

User safety checks for a lift should always be visual and operational. They should never involve opening panels, adjusting mechanisms or attempting repairs. Your role is to observe, test basic functions and report concerns.

Internal inspections, load testing, mechanical adjustments and statutory examinations must always be carried out by competent engineers. Attempting technical work without qualification risks injury, invalidates insurance and regulatory non-compliance.

Always follow your lift’s specific manual and contact your maintenance provider if in doubt.

Basic Daily or Weekly Platform Lift Safety Checks

In higher-traffic buildings, daily checks are advisable. In lower-use residential settings, weekly checks may be enough. These checks take only a few minutes but can significantly improve lift safety.

Doors and Interlocks

Before the first use of the day, confirm that landing doors remain locked when the platform is at another level. The door should only unlock when the lift is correctly positioned on that floor. Doors and gates should close smoothly, latch fully and show no signs of loose hinges or visible damage.

If a lift can move with a door open or partially closed, it must be taken out of service immediately.

Visual Condition and Housekeeping

Walk around and inside the lift. Look for obvious signs of damage such as bent panels, cracked glazing or missing fixings. The floor surface should be intact and non-slip, free from water, oil or debris that could cause slips or interfere with operation.

The surrounding area should remain clear. Stored items, cleaning equipment or waste placed near the lift entrance can obstruct doors and safety edges, increasing breakdown risk.

Controls and Emergency Stop

Test normal travel controls to ensure smooth operation without jolting or hesitation. Briefly check that the emergency stop button functions and resets correctly. Alarm systems or communication devices should activate and connect as intended.

Emergency communication failures were among the most common defects identified in UK lift inspections. A quick functional check can identify these issues early.

Basic Ride Test

Run the lift empty between floors. It should travel smoothly, stop level with each landing and operate without unusual grinding, scraping or banging noises. Jerky movement or delayed responses often indicate developing mechanical or hydraulic issues.

Stair Lift Safety and Wheelchair Lift Safety Considerations

While general lift safety checks apply to all lift types, there are specific considerations.

For stair lift safety, check that the seat belt functions properly, armrests and footrests are secure, and the track is free from obstructions. Stair lift safety regulations in the UK require equipment to be maintained in safe working order, particularly in shared or communal environments.

For wheelchair lift safety, confirm that platform barriers or gates are secure, ramps align correctly with floor levels and the rated load plate remains visible and legible. Overloading is a preventable risk. The combined weight of a user, wheelchair and any carried equipment must remain within the stated limit.

The following table provides a practical overview of what can be checked routinely and what requires professional involvement:

Emergency Systems and User Controls

Pressing the alarm briefly to confirm activation is okay to do yourself. However, testing deeper systems such as emergency lowering mechanisms, fire recall or electrical components must be left to professionals.

Clear signage should also be present. Maximum load information, emergency instructions and usage guidance must be visible and readable. Missing or damaged signage should be replaced quickly.

Signs a Lift May Be Unsafe to Use

Grinding, clanking or persistent unusual noises often indicate worn parts or lubrication issues. Jerky or uneven movement may point to motor or hydraulic faults. Doors that struggle to close or reopen unexpectedly suggest sensor or interlock issues.

If the lift displays error messages, stops intermittently or fails to level correctly with a landing, it should be removed from service and reported.

Stair Lift Safety Regulations UK: Understanding Your Duties

In the UK, lifts used in workplaces must undergo thorough examinations under LOLER 1998, typically every six months for lifts carrying people and annually for goods-only lifts.

Routine safety checks by building managers do not replace these statutory requirements.

Professional inspections assess structural integrity, load capacity, safety devices and electrical systems using specialist tools and expertise. Non-professionals cannot lawfully conduct these examinations.

Routine monitoring supports compliance, but it does not replace it.

What Safety Checks Must Be Left to Professionals?

Certain tasks must always be handled by qualified engineers. These include:

• Mechanical and electrical inspections
• Load testing and weight verification
• Emergency lowering system checks
• Hydraulic integrity testing
• Fire recall and safety system testing
• Pit, shaft and machine room inspections
• All LOLER thorough examinations

In addition, any repairs, adjustments or component replacements must be carried out by authorised specialists. Unauthorised interference can invalidate warranties, breach UK regulations and create serious safety risks for both users and building operators.

How S&D Lifts Supports Platform Lift Safety

With over 50 years of cumulative experience, S&D Lifts supports building owners across the UK with structured maintenance and compliance-led servicing. If you would like professional support to strengthen lift safety checks and compliance within your building, we encourage you to get in touch with our team. We will assess your installation and recommend an appropriate servicing and inspection schedule aligned with UK regulations.

Safety is not a one-off task. It is an ongoing commitment, and with the right partner, it becomes manageable, predictable and secure.

FAQs

How often should I carry out safety checks on my platform lift?

Basic visual and operational lift safety checks should be carried out daily in high-use settings or weekly in lower-use environments, alongside regular professional servicing.

Are user safety checks a replacement for professional lift servicing?

No. Routine checks help identify issues early, but do not replace professional servicing or statutory inspections required under UK regulations.

What should I do if a safety issue is identified?

Stop using the lift immediately and contact a qualified lift engineer or maintenance provider.

Do stair lifts and platform lifts have different safety requirements?

Yes. While the principles are similar, stair lift safety and wheelchair lift safety involve different features and operational considerations. Both must be maintained and inspected in line with UK safety requirements.