Features of safe operation of freight elevators

To ensure the safety of the operators of freight elevators, the loads they lift, as well as the people around them, the operation of freight elevators must be carried out in accordance with certain standards. There are "Rules for ensuring industrial safety during the operation of lifting mechanisms", approved by the Order of the Minister for Investment and Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan dated December 30, 2014 No. 359. These Rules are mandatory for organizations that own lifting devices.

When operating freight elevators, mandatory registration is required in the territorial divisions of the Industrial Safety Committee of the Ministry of Emergency Situations of the Republic of Kazakhstan (registration is not required for small freight elevators).

The owner of the elevator before the start of its operation organizes a commission for testing and commissioning of the freight elevator.

The weight of the lifted load must not exceed the maximum lifting capacity of this elevator/forklift. The operation of the freight elevator must be carried out in conditions that fully correspond to those specified in the passport for the elevator.

During the operation of a freight elevator, its owner is obliged to comply with the existing regulations and operating rules listed in the elevator instructions. At the same time:

- technical inspection, maintenance and repair must be provided in a timely manner;

- the freight elevator must be used strictly for its intended purpose;

- it must be ensured that the equipment is inaccessible to outsiders and employees who are not related to technical personnel;

- safe evacuation conditions must be provided in case of elevator failure;

- all additional devices used for communication from the elevator cabin, lighting devices, ventilation equipment (if available) must be maintained in working condition;

Elevator maintenance personnel must meet a number of requirements:

- these must be persons at least 18 years old, without medical contraindications for this work;

- freight elevator operator, electrician, elevator operator must undergo appropriate training and certification, and periodic recertification (at least once every 12 months);
- the personnel engaged in elevator maintenance must have certain qualification groups for electrical safety.

Supervision of the safe operation of the freight elevator should be carried out by its direct owner. As a rule, organizations that own freight elevators conclude contracts with specialized companies for the maintenance and repair of elevators.

The operation of the freight elevator should not be carried out and should be stopped in the following cases:

- the absence of a technical passport or information about the registration of the elevator;

- technical inspection has not been carried out;

- the standard service life specified in the elevator passport has been fulfilled;

- employees responsible for organizing the operation of the elevator, maintenance and repair of the elevator were not appointed by a separate order;
- the wear of elevator ropes exceeds the established norms;

- cracks or any other deformations were noticed in the metal structures of the elevator;

- malfunction of elevator safety devices and devices has been detected.

It should be noted that the standard operating life of elevators is 25 years. Freight elevators have been operated mainly in the city of Almaty since Soviet times. These elevators often fail, there are difficulties with repair due to the lack of original spare parts, since such elevators are no longer available. Therefore, the responsibility for safe operation lies entirely with the owners of these elevators.

Replacing freight elevators with expired regulatory service life with new ones will reduce the risks of owners.