Conditions for the operation of goods lifts

What are freight lifts? 

A goods hoist is a mast-mounted sliding platform that resembles a ladder in design. The hoist is attached to a mobile chassis and lowered to the roof of the building. The platform is used to transport building materials to higher levels. The movement of loads is carried out using rope or chain ties. We can therefore distinguish between two types of goods hoist:  

• linear,   
• chains.  

What are the conditions in relation to the operation of freight lifts?  

Certain handling equipment whose load capacity does not exceed 250 kg (excluding equipment for the movement of persons) has an established form of simplified supervision. Such equipment does not require a declaration to the Office of Technical Inspection and regular technical inspections. However, they must be maintained and operated by suitably qualified and authorised persons. Technical equipment subject to technical supervision should be operated in accordance with the instructions and used for their intended purpose.  

Rules for the operation of goods lifts 

The person using the goods hoist should ensure that the equipment is provided with a workplace instruction manual based on the guidelines for use of the machine in question. These instructions should be available to the operator. 

In addition, in order to operate the goods lift safely, proper maintenance of the equipment must also be ensured. Maintenance inspections must be carried out at least within the timeframe included in the Ordinance of the Minister of Enterprise and Technology of 30 October 2018. If the manufacturer has specified this deadline differently, it must be adhered to. A maintenance log should be kept for each piece of equipment, in which the repairs performed should be recorded.  

In the case of new equipment, registration is required, while only acceptance tests are carried out on used machinery.  

After a positive test result, an inspector from the Office of Technical Inspection issues a report from the test and a decision allowing further use of the equipment. Upon completion of the test, the user will receive by post the inspection booklet and a bill for the activities performed. The costs of the examination include the possible travel of the inspector to the place where the inspected device was located. The above-mentioned stages are completed with the registration of the appliance with the relevant Technical Inspection Authority.  

What tests do technical equipment undergo during its operation? 

When in use, technical equipment is subject to tests such as: 

• ad hoc control tests,  
• ad hoc in-service testing,   
• post-accident or post-crash examinations.   

Technical inspection of goods lifts 

The equipment to be tested should be technically sound, assembled and ready for use in accordance with the conditions laid down in the regulation and the instructions for use.   

The operator must provide safe conditions for the tests, prepare the inspection site and the necessary instruments and loads to carry out the tests, and ensure that a maintainer and operator are present. Such persons should be appropriately authorised.  

Testing of the machine is carried out at the operator's premises. They are carried out in the presence of the operator or his representative, who will be authorised to do so, and the operator and the machine maintainer. In the event of unsuitable conditions for testing, the inspector has the right to refuse to carry it out.