Statutory Inspections · Mandatory · Pre-Construction
RAMS — Lift Installation
A specialist RAMS for lift installation covering working at height in restricted shafts, heavy component handling (counterweights up to several tonnes), multi-level working segregation, electrical isolation procedures, shaft access control, commissioning safety, and the LOLER thorough examination required before first passenger use. The shaft is the lift contractor's exclusive zone during installation.
Last reviewed: 2 April 2026 — This guide reflects UK law as of this date. MHSWR 1999 / LOLER 1998 / Lifts Regulations 2016 remains current with no amendments enacted as of 2 April 2026. Next scheduled review: 2 April 2027.
| Legal basis | Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 / LOLER 1998 / Lifts Regulations 2016 / EN 81 series |
| RAMS category | T13 Lift Installation |
| Key risks | Fall into open shaft, dropped objects between levels, heavy component handling (counterweights), electrical isolation, commissioning safety |
| Shaft exclusivity | The lift shaft is an exclusive zone during installation — no other trades permitted without the lift installer's written consent |
| Lifts Regulations 2016 | Implement the Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU — govern the design, manufacture, installation, and conformity assessment of new lifts |
| Enforcing authority | Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and notified bodies for CE/UKCA marking |
1. What It Covers
A RAMS for lift installation must address the unique hazards of working within an open lift shaft throughout the full installation programme — from first fix of guide rails through to commissioning and handover. The lift shaft is one of the most dangerous spaces on a construction site. It is an open vertical void spanning multiple levels, with the potential for falls from height, dropped objects striking workers on lower levels, and the handling of extremely heavy components including counterweights, car frames, and traction machines. During commissioning, the lift moves under power for the first time, introducing the risk of entrapment, shearing, and electrical contact.
The lift shaft must be treated as an exclusive zone during installation. No other trade should be permitted to access the shaft without the written consent of the lift installation contractor. The RAMS must address access control to the shaft at every level, working at height within the shaft (including the use of temporary platforms and safety lines), the lifting of components into and within the shaft, electrical isolation procedures during installation and commissioning, and the LOLER thorough examination requirements at completion before the lift is placed into service.
The lift shaft is an exclusive zone — access must be controlled by the lift installer
During lift installation, the shaft must be under the exclusive control of the lift installation contractor. Other trades must not enter the shaft, use it as a materials route, or remove shaft door barriers without the lift installer's written permission. The principal contractor must enforce this exclusivity through access control measures at every landing level — including physical barriers, signage, and lock-off arrangements. Unauthorised entry into an active lift shaft is one of the most common causes of fatal falls on construction sites.
“Every employer shall ensure that work equipment is so constructed or adapted as to be suitable for the purpose for which it is used or provided.”— PUWER 1998 Regulation 4
2. Key Content
The lift installation RAMS must address each of the following areas in detail. The confined, multi-level nature of shaft work and the severity of the hazards require a thorough and methodical approach.
| Area | Detail required |
|---|---|
| Lift specification | Lift type (traction, hydraulic, MRL), number of stops, rated load and speed, car dimensions and weight, counterweight weight, traction machine weight, manufacturer and model reference. These details determine the handling and lifting requirements throughout the installation |
| Shaft safety | Shaft exclusivity protocol — physical barriers at every landing opening, lock-off arrangements, signage, access control register. Shaft lighting (minimum 200 lux at working positions), emergency lighting, shaft ventilation, and the procedure for securing the shaft outside working hours |
| Working at height in shaft | Temporary working platforms within the shaft (design, installation, and inspection), personal fall protection (harness and inertia reel anchored to rated anchor points within the shaft), edge protection at landing openings, ladder access to temporary platforms, rescue plan for an operative suspended in the shaft after a fall |
| Multi-level working | Procedure for preventing simultaneous working at different levels within the same shaft without adequate protection. Physical separation (decking or netting) between working levels to prevent dropped objects striking workers below. Communication protocol between teams working at different levels |
| Heavy component handling | Lifting plan for heavy components — counterweights (typically 1,500–4,000 kg), car frame, traction machine, guide rails. Method for lifting components into the shaft (tower crane, chain blocks, temporary lifting beam at shaft head). LOLER thorough examination for all lifting equipment and accessories used within the shaft |
| Electrical isolation | Electrical isolation procedure during installation — lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) protocol for all electrical work within the shaft. Temporary power supply arrangements, RCD protection, safe working procedures for termination and testing of lift control wiring. Only qualified electricians to carry out electrical connections |
| Commissioning safety | Specific RAMS for the commissioning phase when the lift first moves under power. Shaft clearance procedure before first run, exclusion of all personnel from the shaft during initial movement tests, communication protocol between commissioning engineer and shaft safety person, emergency stop procedures, testing sequence |
| Access control | Control of access to the lift shaft at every landing level throughout the installation programme. Physical barriers (temporary shaft doors or hoarding) that cannot be opened without authorisation, warning signage, permit-to-enter system for any non-lift-installer personnel, integration with the site access control system |
| LOLER (at completion) | LOLER thorough examination of the completed lift before it is placed into service. Examination by a competent person (insurance company engineer, notified body, or SAFed member). Report of thorough examination must confirm the lift is safe to use. Declaration of conformity under the Lifts Regulations 2016 and UKCA/CE marking |
3. Common Mistakes
Allowing other trades unrestricted access to the lift shaft
The lift shaft must be under the exclusive control of the lift installation contractor during installation. Other trades entering the shaft without authorisation — to run services, store materials, or use the shaft as an access route between levels — is one of the most common causes of fatal falls on construction sites. The principal contractor must enforce shaft exclusivity through physical barriers at every landing opening, lock-off arrangements that cannot be defeated without authorisation, and clear signage. Any trade requiring access to the shaft must obtain written consent from the lift installer and be accompanied by a competent person from the installation team.
Inadequate protection against dropped objects in a multi-level shaft
A tool, bolt, or component dropped from the top of a lift shaft will accelerate over multiple floors and can be fatal to anyone working below. The RAMS must address multi-level working within the shaft and require physical separation (decking, netting, or exclusion) between working levels. Relying on hard hats alone as the control measure for dropped objects in a lift shaft is wholly inadequate — the forces involved far exceed the protection provided by a standard safety helmet.
No specific commissioning RAMS
The commissioning phase introduces hazards that do not exist during the mechanical installation phase — the lift moves under power for the first time, creating the risk of entrapment, shearing between the car and the shaft walls, and electrical contact. A separate or supplementary RAMS is required for commissioning that addresses the shaft clearance procedure, the exclusion of personnel, the communication protocol, the emergency stop procedure, and the testing sequence. Using the installation RAMS for commissioning without addressing these additional hazards is a common and dangerous oversight.
Not securing the shaft outside working hours
The lift shaft must be secured outside working hours to prevent unauthorised entry by other trades, site visitors, or trespassers. Landing openings must be physically barriered with arrangements that cannot be easily removed. On sites where work continues around the clock, the shift handover must include a positive confirmation that shaft security is maintained. An unsecured lift shaft on an active construction site is an immediate danger and will attract HSE enforcement action.
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Who can carry out the LOLER thorough examination of a new lift?▾
The LOLER thorough examination of a completed lift must be carried out by a competent person who is independent of the installation contractor. In practice, this is usually an engineer employed by the building owner's insurance company, a notified body approved under the Lifts Regulations 2016, or a member of the Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed). The examiner must have specific competence in lift examination — a general mechanical engineer is not sufficient. The examination must confirm that the lift is safe to operate and must be completed before the lift is placed into service. The report of thorough examination must be kept available for inspection.
What are the Lifts Regulations 2016 and how do they relate to LOLER?▾
The Lifts Regulations 2016 implement the EU Lifts Directive 2014/33/EU in UK law. They govern the design, manufacture, installation, and conformity assessment of new passenger lifts and safety components for lifts. The installer must ensure the lift meets the essential health and safety requirements, undergo a conformity assessment by a notified body, and apply the UKCA (or CE) marking before the lift is placed on the market. LOLER 1998 applies in addition to the Lifts Regulations — it requires a thorough examination before the lift is first used and at regular intervals thereafter (typically every 6 months for passenger lifts). The two regimes are complementary, not alternatives.
Can the lift installer use the building crane to lift components into the shaft?▾
Yes, but the lifting operation must be planned in accordance with LOLER Regulation 8. A lift plan must be prepared for each type of lift (counterweight, car frame, traction machine), specifying the crane capacity required, the lifting accessories, the load path, and the communication protocol between the crane operator and the installation team at the shaft opening. All lifting accessories must have current LOLER thorough examination certificates. The interface between the crane operator and the lift installer must be clearly defined — who gives the signal to lift, who receives the load at the shaft, and how the load is secured once inside the shaft.
Is a permit to work required for lift shaft entry?▾
Best practice is to operate a permit-to-enter system for the lift shaft throughout the installation programme. The lift installation contractor's own operatives should sign onto a daily access register. Any non-lift-installer personnel (electricians, builders, inspectors) requiring access to the shaft should obtain a written permit from the lift installation site supervisor, confirming the nature of the work, the duration of access, and the safety measures in place. The permit system ensures that the lift installer knows who is in the shaft at all times — essential for shaft clearance before commissioning tests.
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Get started freeThis guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, regulations change and individual project circumstances vary. Construction Suite is a trading name of Xzist Digital Ltd, registered in England and Wales.