Installing lifting platforms
Overview
This standard identifies the competences you need to install powered lifting platforms, in accordance with approved procedures. This will require you to check the site for the proposed installation, and to ensure that the required installation tools and any specified components and site services are available, so that the installation can be carried out safely and efficiently. You will then be expected to install the lifting platform and check that it operates satisfactorily.
This standard does not involve assembly-type activities, such as fitting bearings and/or gears into a gearbox or the installation of items of equipment that are simple, self-contained items requiring minimal installation. It does, however, include the connection of sub-assemblies (where these have been broken down for transportation purposes).
You will be required to select the appropriate tools and equipment to use, based on the operations to be performed and the components to be worked on during the installation. You will be expected to use appropriate tools and techniques to position, level and align the equipment, and to make all necessary connections to the required electrical power supply. The installation activities will include making all necessary checks and adjustments to ensure that components are correctly positioned and aligned, have appropriate tension or working clearances, are tightened to the correct torque, and that they function as per the specification.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and procedures for the installation activities undertaken, and to report any problems with the activities, tools or equipment used, that you cannot personally resolve, or that are outside your permitted authority, to the relevant people. You must ensure that all tools, equipment and materials used in the installation activities are removed from the work area on completion of the work, and that all necessary job/task documentation is completed accurately and legibly. You will be expected to work to instructions, either alone or in conjunction with others, taking personal responsibility for your own actions, and for the quality and accuracy of the work that you carry out.
The installation activity may be carried out as a team effort, but you must demonstrate a significant personal contribution to the installation activities in order to satisfy the requirements of this standard, and you must demonstrate competence in all the areas required by the standard.
Your underpinning knowledge will be sufficient to provide a sound basis for your work, and will enable you to adopt an informed approach to applying installation procedures for lifting platforms. You will have an understanding of the equipment being installed, its installation requirements, the correct function of the equipment and associated problems, in adequate depth to provide a sound basis for carrying out the installation process safely and effectively. You will also understand the installation methods and procedures used, and their application, in sufficient depth to be able to carry out the installation and to ensure that the installed equipment functions to specification.
You will understand the safety precautions required when carrying out the installation activities, especially those for ensuring the safe isolation of services. You will be required to demonstrate safe working practices throughout, and will understand your responsibility for taking the necessary safeguards to protect yourself and others in the workplace.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
- work safely at all times, complying with health and safety and other relevant regulations, directives and guidelines
- follow all relevant drawings and specifications for the installation being carried out
- use the correct tools and equipment for the installation operations and check that they are in a safe and usable condition
- install, position and secure the equipment and components in accordance with the specification
- ensure that all necessary connections to the equipment are complete
- deal promptly and effectively with problems within your control and report those that cannot be solved
- check that the installation is complete and that all components are free from damage
- complete paperwork on the installation in an appropriate format
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
- the specific safety practices and procedures that you need to observe when installing lifting platforms (including any specific legislation, safe working practices for lifts (such as BS7255), regulations/codes of practice for the activities, equipment or materials)
- the procedures to be carried out before starting work on the installation (such as complying with any risk assessments and other health and safety requirements)
- the health and safety requirements of the work area where you are carrying out the installation activities, and the responsibility these requirements place on you
- the hazards associated with installing lifting platforms, and with the tools and equipment used, and how they can be minimised
- what constitutes a hazardous voltage and how to recognise victims of electric shock
- how to reduce the risks of a phase to earth shock (such as insulated tools, rubber mating and isolating transformers)
- the personal protective equipment (PPE) that you need to use for the installation activities, and where replacements can be obtained if supplied personal protective equipment becomes worn or damaged
- how to obtain and interpret information from job instructions and other relevant documentation used in the installation (such as installation drawings, standards, quality control procedures and specifications)
- the lifting platform equipment to be installed, its operating procedures and function
- the different drive systems, their operation, and associated components (such as traction, hydraulic, screwdriver, airbag)
- methods of marking out the site for positioning the equipment, and the tools and equipment used for this
- the various mechanical fasteners that will be used (including threaded fasteners, special securing devices, masonry fixing devices), and their method of installation
- procedures for ensuring that you have the correct tools, equipment, and fasteners for the installation activities
- the types of tools and instruments used to position, secure and align the equipment (such as spanners, wrenches, levelling and alignment devices, measuring devices)
- the techniques used to position, align, level, connect, adjust and secure the equipment
- methods of lifting, handling and supporting the equipment during the installation activities
- methods of connecting equipment to power supplies
- why electrical bonding is critical, and why it must be both mechanically and electrically secure
- how to dispose of waste items in an environmentally safe acceptable manner, and how to leave the work area in a safe condition
- how to conduct any necessary checks to ensure the equipment integrity, functionality, accuracy and quality of the installation (including the fitting of covers to all moving parts and electrical connections)
- the tools and equipment used in the installation activities, and their calibration/care and control procedures
- the problems that can occur with the installation operations, and how these can be overcome
- the documentation to be completed for the activities, and to whom to pass them
- the extent of your own responsibility and to whom you should report if you have problems that you cannot resolve
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Carry out all of the following before installing the lifting platform:
- check that the site is accessible and is free from obstructions or hazards
- check that the installation documentation is complete and current (such as drawings, instructions, manufacturer's data, settings and other documentation)
- confirm that the appropriate electrical supply is available
- check that the required installation consumables are available
- check that safety and environmental conditions have been met
- confirm that the site has been suitably prepared for the installation to take place
- check that consignment contents are correct to the customer specification/order, and are free from damage
- outline the installation process with the customer
- undertake the installation in such a way as to cause minimal disruption to the customer
Carry out all of the following activities during the installation:
- adhere to procedures or systems in place for risk assessment, COSHH, personal protective equipment and other relevant safety regulations
- prepare components and assemblies for installation
- ensure the safe isolation of services during installation (such as hydraulic, mechanical, electrical)
- provide safe access and working arrangements for the installation area
- dispose of waste items in a safe and environmentally acceptable manner
- leave the work area in a safe condition and free from foreign object debris
Install seven of the following lifting platform components/subassemblies:
- shaft structures
- guides
- aperture frames
- hydraulic system (such as power pack, valves, springs, ram, piping)
- traction system (such as AC, DC and ropes)
- carriage assembly (such as doors, gates, ramp, lighting, safety devices)
- track trolley (such as chassis, interlocks and trim)
- bridging steps
- electrical controls (such as safety devices, landing controls, remote controls, carriage controls)
- ancillary equipment (such as warning signs, company specific options)
Apply installation methods and techniques, to include six of the following:
- marking out of locating and securing positions
- securing by using mechanical fixings
- positioning the equipment
- fixing by using adhesives and sealants
- aligning the equipment
- securing by using masonry fixings
- levelling the equipment
- applying screw fastener locking devices
- shimming and packing
- routeing and securing wires and cables
Use three of the following tools during the installation activities:
- straight edges
- plumb lines
- alignment devices (such as spirit level, laser equipment)
- tapes and measures
- measuring instruments (such as electrical, mechanical)
- self-diagnostic equipment
Make the following connections to the installed equipment:
- connections to power supply
Plus two more from the following:
2. mechanical connections
3. electrical component connections
4. fluid power connections
Carry out checks and adjustments, to include:
- testing to ensure that the equipment operates to the installation specification
Plus six more of the following:
2. checking level and alignment
3. earth continuity
4. electrical continuity
5. making visual checks for completeness and freedom from damage
6. electrical insulation resistance
7. making sensory checks (sight, sound, smell, touch)
8. mains voltage and polarity
9. ensuring that moving parts are clear of obstruction, and are guarded
10. stall current and running current
11. overloads
12. ensuring that locking devices are fitted to fasteners (as appropriate)
Deal with two of the following conditions during the installation process:
- installations with no faults
- partial equipment malfunction
- complete malfunction of equipment
Produce installations that comply with one of the following:
- equipment manufacturer's installation specification
- customer requirements
- company standards and procedures
- BS, ISO and/or BSEN standards
Complete the relevant paperwork, to include all of the following, and pass it to the appropriate person:
- product user guide/maintenance guide
- installation work sheet
- company-specific documentation
- test and examination certification
- customer handover documentation (acceptance certificate)