Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) - Guidelines on the Thorough Examination of Escalators The Safety Assessment Federation (SAFed) is currently in the process of preparing guidelines for the independent inspection industry on the thorough examination of escalators. Escalators are not specified under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) so do not require a statutory thorough examination, however, SAFed recommend that escalator owners consider a written scheme of thorough examination as a formal method of discharging the Health and Safety at Work Act responsibility 'duty of care' to users. The new document is being developed in conjunction with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Local Authorities, lift industry and professionals and lift owners together with a further consultation of wider expert opinion. The document will include and update much of the information currently provided in the HSE documents PM34 and PM45, which are no longer in publication. The document will focus on the risk assessment approach to thorough examinations and the specific and unique risks associated with escalators as well as new design technology and emerging legislation and European directives. No date is forecast for this new publication although it is likely to be around 2nd quarter 2006. For further information please contact us either by e-mail at info@safed.co.uk or phone on 020 7403 0987. Back to Issue Development Index