Faulty passenger lift kills resident!

In early 2017 a care home resident died in a faulty passenger lift. Although the lift maintenance company had identified the problem which caused it, the faulty passenger lift remained in service.

The HSE found that the damaged door had been reported to the maintenance company, they had attended immediately, but the lift was not taken out of use.  Pleading guilty to breaches of s.3(1) Health & Safety at Work etc Act 1974, the company was fined £14,400 & ordered to pay £45,000 in costs.

The care homeowner was found to be fully aware of the problems with the lift but had not ensured appropriate action was taken.  The management of the lift and its defects lay with the owner.

If you have a lift, ensure copies of LOLER reports are sent to your maintenance contractor highlighting any urgent points on the report.  Check staff know to report any defects immediately to the maintenance company, ascertain if it’s safe to use & chase any repairs.