A lift is an item of plant that is, or is intended to be, permanently installed in or attached to a structure, in which people, goods or materials may be raised or lowered within a car or cage, or on a platform and the movement of which is restricted by a guide or guides, and includes:

  • a chairlift, escalator, moving walkway and stairway lift; and
  • any supporting structure, machinery, equipment, gear, lift well, enclosures and entrances.

For information about private residential lifts refer to Lifts Private Residence.

Hazards

  • Trips and falls: injury can occur when people trip when entering or exiting an elevator and the car does not stop flush with the floor.
  • Crushing and shearing: inadequate or improperly calibrated obstruction detection systems can lead to limbs being crushed by closing doors or moving platforms.
  • Passenger entrapment: lifts can experience mechanical malfunctions or electrical faults, trapping occupants inside. This is especially dangerous if the cabin lacks an integrated communication system or a manual battery backup to lower the lift to the nearest floor.
  • Uncontrolled movement / falls: malfunctions involving brakes, drive systems, or safety locks can cause the lift to move unexpectedly or cause a passenger to fall into an open, unguarded shaft when the cabin is on a different level.
  • Passenger entanglement: limbs or loose clothing getting caught in the gaps between the elevator car and the hoistway or between sliding doors, particularly dangerous for children.

Safety requirements

  • all lifts must have a safe entry and exit at the base of the lift-well and a sign in the lift, to indicate its safe working load and a current plant registration number
  • when undertaking lift maintenance, ensure barriers are placed across the lift opening when it's being worked on, install secure platforms on which to work and ensure the worker is protected from falling objects.
  • every lift must have an emergency communication system to enable assistance in the event that passengers are trapped.

Registration

Commercial lifts require both design and item of plant registration.

Registration costs can be found at Registration Fees.

Design registration

Plant design registration – Guidance notes

To register or alter the design of plant:

Plant design - New or alteration to design

Completing an application for design registration

Every lift installed in South Australia must have an Australian design registration and comply with South Australian legislation, this includes lifts manufactured overseas. The WHS legislation may vary between States and Territories, and item of plant registration may be refused in South Australia even though the design registration is recognised in Australia.

Design Registration requires verification from both the Designer and Design Verifier before registration can be approved.

The Designer must be satisfied through engineering calculations that all the lift devices such as the machines, ropes and sheaves are at the appropriate level of safety in accordance with the published technical standards or engineering principles being used. The Designer must be satisfied that the design is safe and declare that they “have complied with the Designer’s obligations under Section 22 of the WHS Act 2012 (SA) in respect to the design of the plant.”

A Design Verifier is a person who is suitably qualified and meets the definition of a competent person within the WHS Regulations 2012. The Design Verifier has the important role of determining through their own assessment that the design is in accordance with the Designers’ instructions and published technical standards or engineering principles. They must also declare that “they were not involved in the production of the design; and that the design was produced in accordance with the published technical standards and/or engineering principles specified in the Designer’s statement and documents.”

Once a design is registered, there is no restriction on the number of lifts that can be manufactured, provided they comply with the design registration. The registration holder must ensure the design registration number is provided with each supplied lift.

An application for design registration must contain:

  1. a statement signed by the Designer of the item of plant
    1. stating that the Designer has complied with the Designer's obligations under section 22 of the WHS Act in relation to the design, and
    2. specifying the published technical Standards and/or any engineering principles used in the design.
  2. a design verification statement that is
    1. written and signed by a person who is eligible to be a Designer Verfier for the design of the item of plant, and
    2. declares that the design was produced in accordance with published technical Standards or engineering principles specified in the statement, and
    3. include
      1. the name, business address and qualifications (if applicable) of the Designer Verifier, and
      2. if applicable, the name and business address of the organisation for whom the Designer Verifier is employed, and
      3. a declaration stating that the verifier for the design of an item of plant was not involved in the production of the design.
  3. representational drawings of the design.
  4. any other documentation that may assist in determining compliance of the design.
  5. a completed application form with payment.

Designer and design verification requirements

The application form includes a specific section with all required fields for the Designer and Designer Verifier to complete.

The Designer and Designer Verifier may be employed by the same organisation, providing that the Designer Verifier has not been involved in the production of the design. The design verification process must be independent of the Designer.

If the Designer or Designer Verifier is located overseas and unable to complete their section of the application form, they may submit a separate letter of declaration. Any separate statement must provide the equivalent required information and declaration in English. They must also fully understand their duties under South Australian WHS legislation. Penalties apply for provision of false or misleading information.

See WHS Regulations, Chapter 5, Part 3, for a full explanation of the design registration process, including the duties of Designers and Designer Verifiers.

Registering an alteration to a lift design

When a lift is first design registered, the design is based on certain criteria and specifications that set a minimum level of safety. If the level of safety is altered and requires new risk control measures, then an application for the design alteration must be submitted to SafeWork SA.

Examples of where the level of health and safety may be altered include:

  • increase or decrease in speed
  • change to the number of suspension ropes
  • changes to the traction method or type
  • changes to the load capacity
  • changes to the size of the car
  • increase or decrease in the travel height
  • changes to electrical, control or mechanical configuration of the lift system.

Repair and maintenance using like-for-like replacement parts is not considered an alteration, even if those parts are manufactured by a different company.

Any alterations, including replacement parts, must be compliant to the latest requirements.

Notification back to the issuing regulator is not required where the alteration is considered cosmetic and the level of health and safety is not altered. These include changes to the:

  • car interior
  • car operating panel
  • car lighting and landing fixtures.

A design alteration notification must be submitted to SafeWork SA before the alteration commences. The lift must not be placed into service until registration is granted.

Any alterations, including replacement parts, must be compliant to the latest requirements.

Installing imported lifts, escalators and moving walkways

Prior to importing and installing a lift, escalator or moving walkway into South Australia, consideration must be given to:

  • obtaining an assessment by a competent person confirming full compliance to South Australian WHS legislation, and
  • registration of the design with an Australian WHS regulator and that design mutually recognised in South Australia.

Failure to do so could breach WHS legislation and penalties may apply.

Complying with South Australian legislation

The Work Health and Safety Regulations, Regulation 739, includes AS 1735 series as an Approved Code of Practice (ACOP). Any lift installed in South Australia must achieve the minimum level of safety stipulated by the AS 1735 series, published on or before 1/1/2013.

To ensure compliance, any business entering the South Australian lift market should become familiar with the ACOP.

Although most Australian jurisdictions operate under harmonised work health and safety laws, the lift company must ensure that the lift design complies with South Australian legislation before engaging in any work across jurisdictional borders.

In some instances, lifts may require improvement in their level of safety through a design alteration before registration of the lift can be approved. If this alteration is not identified prior to installation of the lift, it could result in additional costs to the business installing the lift.

Changes and revisions to Australian Standards AS 1735

Since the introduction of WHS legislation into South Australia, AS 1735 series has undergone a number of revisions, additions and changes including the introduction of new international and ISO standards.

For example, as of January 2020, amendments include:

  • European Standards EN81-1 & 2, which formed part of AS 1735-1:2003 + Amdt 1 2006 and were considered as an alternative to AS 1735.2 & 3.
  • EN81-1 & 2 which have since been withdrawn and been replaced by two new European Standards EN81-20 & 50.
  • AS 1735-1:2003 + Amdt 1 2006 has been revised.
  • AS 1735-2 & 3 has been classified as obsolescent, removing these standards from being considered for any new lift designs.
  • the Australian Standards committee is continually reviewing multiple parts of AS 1735.

A design review must be undertaken on any new lift design that claims compliance to a revised or newly introduced standard. The design must achieve an equivalent or better level of safety to AS 1735 as was in place on 1/1/2013. Any subsequent revisions to AS 1735 require current designs to be reassessed to maintain the highest level of safety.

International design standards

Some international Standards are accepted in South Australia and form part of the Australian Standards through the introduction of AS 1735 series. These international standards are seen as being closely aligned or achieving an equivalent level of safety to AS 1735.

Competent person with industry knowledge and experience must be engaged to assess the level of safety between International and Australian standards before the lift can be used in South Australia.

In some cases, Australian Standards may include notes within the published standard identifying any other International Standards that are closely aligned.

Plant registration

Plant registration – Guidance notes

To register the item of plant:

Plant item registration

Plant - Variation / Change of ownership

Each individual lift must have an item of plant registration and comply with South Australian requirements before it can be placed into service.

To register plant for the first time in South Australia or to renew lapsed registration, the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online application form including fee payment.
  • Design Registration Certificate or a Design Approval Letter issued pre-July 1996, or exemption letter.
  • Statement from Competent Person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Commissioning Report (prior to first use in Australia) detailing all the data recorded during the commissioning process.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

If you are applying for transfer of ownership of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of purchase.
  • date when plant item was first commissioned or first registered (whichever occurred first).
  • Statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate (issued within 12 months of application date).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly) in lieu of a Commissioning Report.
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).
  • letter from former owner confirming date that transfer of ownership occurred and that they no longer have management or control of the plant.

If you are applying to make changes to other information of an existing SafeWork SA issued registration(s) the following documentation will be required:

  • completed online notification form lodged within 14 days of becoming aware of change(s).
  • where the change relates to a design alteration, then a copy of the design registration for the alteration and any relevant changes to recorded information
  • statement from competent person that the plant is safe to use or operate reflecting the updated information (if applicable).
  • if the plant being registered has been in service for more than 10 years, attach a copy of the Major Inspection Report (10-yearly).
  • authorisation letter from the PCBU who will have management or control of plant (If applicable where the applicant is a third-party acting on behalf of the PCBU).

Note:

Once the application has been processed, SafeWork SA will send the owner a certificate of registration which contains the registration number. You must display the registration number on or near the lift (usually inside the lift car).

All lifts are registered with SafeWork SA for a 5-year term. The owner will receive an invoice from SafeWork SA before the renewal date. The invoice will have an associated fee.

Change of details

You must provide us with written notice within 14 days if:

  • you change your name or address, or any other information stated on your application for registration
  • the plant design has been altered to an extent where it is subject to new control measures

Inspection and maintenance

A preventative maintenance program must be in place, taking into account the working environment, frequency and severity of use of the plant. It needs to be carried out according to the manufacturer’s specifications, applicable Australian standards and include:

  • regular inspections.
  • If a lift malfunctions, the lift service company should be called to assist anyone trapped.
  • the lift must be put out of service by the service company or building management until it is repaired.
  • never exceed the lift capacity stated inside the lift.

Lift upgrade or replacement

Like most other types of moving mechanical machinery, lifts reach a stage where they begin to develop performance issues and maintenance costs can become high. This is usually when the lift has reached or exceeded its design life. The owner of the lift may need to make a decision whether to upgrade or replace the lift, escalator or moving walkway.

In some instances, the owner may be able to resolve the performance issues by a service or repair. In other instances where the problem becomes more severe, greater works, such as a full or partial upgrade may be necessary.

The owner of the lift should always consult with a competent person before making any decision on an alteration or replacement. A competent person is best placed to give guidance on the most appropriate solution to restore performance. They also ensure compliance with WHS legislation, the current codes of practice, the original manufacturers’ instructions, and conduct a risk assessment.

The competent person may be a consultant with engineering experience, employee of a lift company, or an individual with industry experience. Whoever is engaged, they must meet the definition of a competent person as defined within the WHS Regulations.

When assessing the condition of a lift consideration should be given to:

  • the operational history of the lift, such as frequency of break downs, trapped passengers, stoppages from out-of-alignment relative to building floor level, door malfunctions, or any general performance deemed below manufacturer specification.
  • the service history, including any testing and repairs made in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • the ride quality, such as any noisy, bumpy, or harsh movements or any unusual vibrations that have developed while the lift is moving or stationary.
  • the availability and cost of replacement parts.
  • an industry history of poor performance that could identify potential hazards or risks to users.
  • better performance measures or safeguards offered by newer technologies.
  • compliance to current Approved Codes of Practice and WHS legislation.

Record keeping

A record (e.g. logbook) of the service and maintenance history of the plant needs to be kept and made readily available and be written in easy to understand English.

Refer to AS 1735 and WHS Regulation 237.

Contact us

Visit: safework.sa.gov.au

Call: SafeWork Licensing Unit on 1300 365 255

Email: licensing.safework@sa.gov.au

Further information

Resources

Legislation

  • WHS Act 22 – Duties of PCBUs that design plant, substances or structures
  • WHS Regulation 213 – Maintenance and inspection of plant
  • WHS Regulation 236 – Lifts
  • WHS Regulation 237 – Records of plant
  • WHS Regulation 244 – Altered plant designs to be registered

Australian Standards

  • AS 1735: Lifts, escalators and moving walks

Codes of Practice

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What are the registration requirements for commercial lifts?

In South Australia all lifts are classified as high risk plant under the Work Health and Safety legislation (WHS Reg. Schedule 5 Part 1). Every lift must hold design registration and item of plant registration before they are placed into service.

The lift supplier (who may also be the importer) has the legal duty to ensure the lift design is registered, and that they hold a copy of the design registration certificate prior to any distribution and sale of the lift.

The design registration number issued by SafeWork SA or an interstate regulator is unique to that model of lift and must be permanently marked on the lift.

The owner or person with management control of the lift

is responsible for the item of plant registration. They will need copies of the design registration certificate, “Safe to Operate” certificate and commissioning report. They can then attach all the supporting documentation to a completed application form and send it to SafeWork SA along with payment of the fee.

Q2. Are there any registration fees?

Lifts installed in commercial premises incur a fee when the lift is first registered. The registration fee is separate and unrelated to any fees that a lift company may require from you (owner) for ongoing service and repair to the lift.

Lifts incur a fee when they are first design registered which is valid for the life of the plant.

A design registration fee applies only once for the initial application because upon issue there is no expiry date.

Lifts incur a fee each time they are plant item registered for a 5-year period. The owner will receive an invoice from SafeWork SA before the renewal date. The invoice will have an associated fee.

Plant registration will remain valid for the 5-year period unless the lift is sold, scrapped, or a design alteration occurs to the level of safety requiring a review of risk control measures.

Q3. Who can apply for design registration?

  • a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) that designs an item of plant may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.
  • a person with management or control of an item of plant at a workplace may apply to the regulator for the registration of the design of that item of plant.

Q4. Does each lift require individual design registration?

No, once the design is registered, there is no restriction on the number of lifts that can be supplied, provided they comply with the registered design. The registration holder must ensure the design registration number is provided with each lift that is supplied.

Q5. Is interstate design registration recognised in South Australia?

Yes, interstate design registrations issued under a corresponding WHS law (i.e. a law of another Australian jurisdiction corresponding, or substantially corresponding, to the WHS Act 2012 (SA)) are recognised in South Australia. However, it is important to ensure the lift design also complies with relevant South Australian Approved Codes of Practice.

There may be Australian States or Territories who have introduced specific variations to the WHS model legislation and while the design may comply with the legislation in those jurisdictions, it may no longer fully comply with South Australian requirements. If this is the case, item of plant registration may be refused (i.e. design registration may not be recognised) because the design does not fully comply through a corresponding WHS law equivalent to that in South Australia.

Q6. Are overseas design registrations recognised?

Every lift installed in South Australia must have an Australian design registration.

Q7. When is an application for alteration to a design of a lift required?

The WHS Regulations state that “a reference to the alteration of a design is a reference to an alteration that may affect health or safety.”

What does that mean?

'Alter' in relation to any plant means to change the design of, add to or take away from the plant where the change may affect health or safety, but does not include routine maintenance, repairs or replacements.

When a lift is first design registered, the design is based on certain criteria and specifications that set a minimum level of safety. If that level of safety is altered, then an application for the alteration must be submitted to SafeWork SA.

Note: alterations must be compliant to the most current published technical standard.

Q8. Does each manufactured lift require item of plant registration?

Yes, each lift must be individually registered before being placed into service.

The item of plant registration number issued by SafeWork SA is specific to that lift.

The design registration number issued by SafeWork SA or an interstate regulator is unique to that model of lift and must be permanently displayed on or near the lift.

Q9. What information should the Commissioning Report contain?

A commissioning report contains the technical information from the final set up of a lift. The type and extent of the tests are based on the manufacturer’s instructions and the mandatory requirements from the technical design standard.

This may include:

  • speed and over-speed settings.
  • load and over-load settings.
  • governor settings.
  • safety gear settings.
  • governor pull through/safety gear pull on settings.
  • car rail slides based on the type of safety gear being used and the speed of the lift.
  • buffer tests.
  • pit and overhead clearances.
  • shaft and landing clearances.
  • hydraulic pressure and overpressure settings
  • testing results from all safety features.
  • electrical tests.

Some components used in the lift installation are pre-calibrated or pre-set from the place of manufacturer to assist in the overall installation. Whilst this is a time saver it does not negate component testing during the commissioning process. Settings can be affected due to handling or transport or not correctly set to begin with. It is vitally important that all pre-set components are verified for correct operation.

The type and usage of a lift will determine the extent and type of information that the commissioning report contains. A high-speed lift, for example, in a multi-story building will contain significantly more information than a 2-story private residence lift. There is no standard template for a commissioning report, so each lift company develops their own based on the type of lift.

The data contained in the commissioning report is evidence that all the appropriate tests have been conducted and the results are in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions and the technical standard applicable.

Q10. Can I import a lift, escalator or moving walkway into Australia and have it installed by local installers?

Yes, but with conditions.

Before any lift, escalator or moving walkway can be installed in South Australia:

  • it must be assessed by a competent person for compliance to South Australian legislation, and
  • the design must be registered with an Australian WHS Regulator

If the lift, escalator or moving walkway does not have either of these two prerequisites, then installing or allowing a lift to operate is in breach of the WHS Legislation and penalties may apply.

Q11. I have an old lift, and its performance is getting worse. Are there any options to restore reliability in performance?

Like most other types of moving mechanical machinery, lifts reach a stage where they begin to develop performance issues and maintenance costs can become high. This is usually when the lift has reached or exceeded its design life. A decision then has to be made whether to have it upgraded or replaced.

A competent person should always be consulted before any decision is made on an alteration or replacement to the lift, escalator or moving walkway. They are best placed to give guidance on the most appropriate solution to restore performance. They also ensure compliance with WHS Legislation, the current codes of practice, the original manufacturers’ instructions, and conduct a risk assessment.

In some instance the performance issues may be resolved by a service or repair to the lift. In other instances, however the problem may be more severe requiring greater works which may include a full or partial upgrade.

The competent person may be a consultant with engineering experience, employee of a lift company, or an individual with industry experience. Whoever you engage, they must meet the definition of a competent person as defined within the WHS Regulations 2012 (SA).

Aspects considered when assessing the condition of a lift can include:

  • are spare parts still readily available?
  • are the parts cost effective?
  • is the performance of the lift compromised because of the difficulty in finding manufacturers’ specified parts?
  • is there a history of poor performance with this model?
  • is the lift constantly breaking down, trapping passengers, stopping out of floor level, doors malfunctioning or generally performing below the manufacturer’s specifications?
  • is the performance of lift considered a hazard or danger to users?
  • is the ride of the lift noisy, lumpy, or harsh?
  • are there any unusual vibrations when the lift is moving or when stationary?
  • does the operational history confirm that the lift has been regularly serviced, tested and repaired in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions?
  • does the lift lack safeguards that new technology offers?
  • does the lift comply with the current Approved Code of Practice and the WHS Legislation?

Q12. What happens after I submit an application for item of plant registration?

After SafeWork SA receives an application and fee payment has been receipted:

  1. SafeWork SA will audit each section of the application form and supporting documentation. It is important that correct information is provided.
  2. If any information is missing, SafeWork SA will contact the applicant. This may cause delays in processing.
  3. Once details are audited and any additional requested information and/or revised documents received the application will be processed and the plant registered.
  4. A registration document (certificate) will be sent to the applicant. The document will contain information as submitted in the application form, the applicant details and the issued item of plant registration number. The registration number must be displayed on or near the lift (usually inside the lift car).
  5. The plant item registration is valid for a 5-year term. When renewal is due, an invoice will be sent about one month before the registration expires to the recorded address of the registration holder.

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