HK Builder's Lift Operator (CIC) cheat sheet

Builder's Lift and Tower Working Platform Ordinance (Cap. 470) governs design, installation, use, maintenance and examination of builder's lifts and tower working platforms in Hong Kong.

Builder's Lifts and Tower Working Platforms (Safety) Regulations (Cap. 470A) set out duties of the owner, the contractor responsible for the lift, the operator and the competent examiner.

A builder's lift must be examined by a competent examiner before first use, after substantial alteration or repair, after relocation, and at intervals not exceeding 6 months.

A competent examiner must be a registered professional engineer (RPE) in the relevant discipline; a competent person for routine inspection is separately defined and must be appointed in writing.

The owner must keep the certificate of examination and the log book on site and produce them on demand to a Labour Department Occupational Safety Officer.

Only a person who has attained the age of 18, is physically fit and holds a valid operator's certificate for the lift type may operate a builder's lift.

The operator's certificate is issued after training and assessment under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Builder's Lifts) approved course; it is specific to the class of lift.

Failure to comply with Cap. 470 / 470A is an offence carrying fines and, for serious breaches causing death or serious injury, imprisonment.

Other applicable instruments: Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance (Cap. 59), Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations, and the Code of Practice for Safe Use of Builder's Lifts.

Two main drive types: rack-and-pinion (gear rack on the mast, motor-driven pinion) and wire-rope traction; rack-and-pinion is the dominant type for HK construction hoists.

Mast sections are typically 650 mm or 800 mm square, bolted or pinned, tied to the building by wall ties at intervals specified by the manufacturer (commonly every 6–9 m and at the top).

Car (cage) consists of the floor deck, side and roof mesh panels, the car gate, the landing gate interlock, the roof trapdoor and the rated load plate.

The drive unit sits on top of the car: motor, gearbox, brake, pinion(s), and for rope types the traction sheave and counterweight arrangement.

The rack is bolted to the mast; pinion-to-rack backlash and tooth wear are critical inspection points - excessive backlash causes shock loading and brake failure risk.

Wall ties, tie collars and the base enclosure/foundation are structural elements; the base must be drained, level, and sized for the maximum out-of-service wind load.

Safety devices on the car include the progressive/instantaneous safety gear (anti-fall), the overspeed governor, the final limit switch, and the buffers at the base.

The landing gate and car gate are fitted with mechanical and electrical interlocks; landing gates must be self-closing and cannot be opened from the car side.

A load/overload indicator or limiter, an anemometer (wind speed), and an audible/visual alarm are required on modern builder's lifts.

The overspeed governor trips the safety gear when the car descends above the rated tripping speed (typically 1.15–1.4 times rated speed); the safety gear grips the guide rail or mast to arrest the car.

The safety gear must be of the progressive type for passenger-carrying hoists; instantaneous types are limited to low-speed material hoists.

The final limit switch is a separate, non-resettable-from-the-car device that cuts power if the normal upper limit switch fails; it must be tested during the periodic examination.

Gate interlocks: the car cannot move unless the car gate and every landing gate are closed and locked; a landing gate cannot be opened unless the car is at that landing.

The emergency stop button on the car and at the ground station must cut the drive power and apply the brake; it must not be used as a normal stopping method.

The brake is a fail-safe (spring-applied, electrically released) disc or drum brake; brake torque must hold 125% of rated load.

The overload limiter prevents lifting above the rated load (typically 1,000 kg or 2,000 kg for standard HK hoists); it gives an alarm and prevents hoisting.

An anemometer cuts out operation when wind speed exceeds the manufacturer's limit (commonly 20 m/s or as specified); operation must stop and the car be lowered to the base.

Emergency lowering: a manual release or hand-winch arrangement allows lowering the car to the nearest landing if power fails; the procedure must be in the operation manual and practised.

Daily pre-use check (by the operator) covers: mast and wall ties, base enclosure and foundation, car gates and landing gates, interlocks, brakes, limit switches, alarm, lights, and the rated load plate.

Check the rack and pinion for broken teeth, loose bolts, excessive backlash, and lubrication; check the guide rollers and their wear.

Test the landing gate interlock at each landing: with the gate open, the car must not move; with the car away, the gate must not open.

Test the car gate interlock, the emergency stop, the upper and lower limit switches, and the final limit switch (by a competent person, not the operator).

Check the brake by lifting a test load slightly and confirming the car holds; check that the brake applies immediately when the control is released.

Verify the mast is plumb within tolerance (commonly 1/1000 or as specified) and that wall ties are tight and not missing.

Check the tie to the building at the top, the base enclosure is intact, and the base is free of standing water.

Record the daily check in the log book; any defect must be reported to the competent person and the lift taken out of service until rectified.

The 6-monthly examination by the competent examiner includes the safety gear drop test, brake test, overload test, and insulation resistance test.

Before moving, confirm all landing gates are closed and the car gate is closed; the car must not move with any gate open.

Load must not exceed the rated load shown on the plate; distribute the load evenly and secure it against shifting; never carry loads that project beyond the car.

No person may ride on the roof of the car or on the load; passengers must stand clear of the gate and hold the handrail.

The operator must remain at the controls while the car is in motion; leaving the controls unattended with the car raised is prohibited.

Use the intercom/telephone or agreed signal to confirm the landing before moving; do not move until the landing signal is confirmed.

Stop operation when wind speed exceeds the limit, when visibility is poor, or when the car is iced; lower the car to the base and secure it.

After the shift, lower the car to the base, switch off and lock the isolator, and secure the landing gates.

Never use the builder's lift to carry persons unless it is a passenger-rated hoist and the person is authorised; material hoists are for goods only.

Do not bypass, defeat or 'cheat' any interlock or safety device; doing so is a serious offence and voids the certificate.

Standard signals: one short ring/bell = stop; two = up; three = down; the exact code must be agreed and posted at the ground station.

The banksman/signaller at the landing is responsible for directing the operator; only one signaller at a time may give signals.

Hand signals: raised arm with palm forward = stop; arm raised and moved upward = hoist up; arm lowered = lower.

The operator must acknowledge every signal and must stop immediately on any stop signal, from anyone.

Use the intercom or two-way radio for voice communication; confirm the landing number and load before each move.

The site coordinator must ensure the area under the hoist is barricaded and that no one walks under a suspended load.

Coordinate with the site safety officer and the competent examiner before any test, repair or relocation; the lift must be isolated and tagged out.

Agree a single channel and a backup method (whistle/air horn) in case of radio failure; test communication before the shift.

Principal hazards: falls from height, falling objects, crush between car and landing, electrical shock, mast collapse, brake failure, and wind loading.

If the car stops between landings: keep passengers calm, use the intercom to call for help, do not attempt to climb out; wait for the competent person to lower the car manually.

If the brake fails or the car overspeeds: the overspeed governor trips the safety gear; do not attempt to reset until the cause is found.

On any accident or dangerous occurrence, stop work, isolate the lift, render first aid, and report to the Labour Department and the police as required.

Fire: lower the car to the base, isolate power, evacuate, and do not use the lift for firefighting.

Typhoon/black rainstorm: lower the car to the base, secure the landing gates, and follow the site's typhoon procedure; inspect before resuming.

Report all defects and near-misses in the log book and to the competent person; near-misses are leading indicators of failure.

Preserve the scene after a serious incident for investigation; do not reset or repair until authorised.

The owner must maintain the lift in safe working order and appoint a competent person for routine maintenance and a competent examiner for periodic examination.

Maintenance records, examination certificates, the log book and the operator's certificate must be kept and produced on demand.

The log book records daily checks, defects, repairs, examinations, and the names of persons who carried out the work.

The operator is responsible for the daily pre-use check, for operating within the rated load, and for reporting defects immediately.

The operator must not carry out repairs unless trained and authorised; only the competent person may adjust safety devices.

The 6-monthly examination certificate must be displayed or available on site; operation without a valid certificate is an offence.

After any substantial repair, alteration or relocation, a new examination by the competent examiner is required before returning to service.

The operator must surrender the certificate if unfit, and must not operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

The builder's lift must be clearly marked with the rated load, the maximum number of passengers (if passenger-rated), and the manufacturer's name.

The landing gates must be at least 1.1 m high and fitted with a toe board; the landing must have a safe access walkway.

The base enclosure must be fenced and locked; only authorised persons may enter.

The car must be fitted with a roof trapdoor and a ladder for emergency escape, and the trapdoor must be interlocked.

Lighting at landings and in the car is required for night work; the operator must be able to see the landing.

The hoist must be earthed and protected by an RCD; cables must be protected from damage and not trailed through water.

The operator must be trained in the emergency lowering procedure and must know the location of the isolator and the manual release.

The site must have a written procedure for rescue from a stalled car, and a practice drill should be carried out.

The operator's certificate is issued after a recognised training course and assessment; it states the class of builder's lift the holder may operate.

The certificate must be carried or available on site and produced to an Occupational Safety Officer on demand.

The operator must be medically fit and free from conditions that impair alertness; a medical declaration may be required.

Refresher training is required at intervals set by the training provider; the employer must keep records.

The operator must not operate a lift of a class not covered by the certificate.

The operator must report any change in fitness or any incident that may affect competence.

The employer must ensure the operator is competent and has received site-specific induction, including the emergency procedure.

Operating without a valid certificate is an offence under Cap. 470 and may invalidate insurance.

Daily: pre-use check by the operator, recorded in the log book.

Weekly: check of brakes, interlocks, limit switches, and the alarm by the competent person.

Monthly: inspection of mast, wall ties, rack and pinion, and the base by the competent person.

Every 6 months: thorough examination by the competent examiner, including safety gear drop test and brake test.

After alteration, repair or relocation: full examination before return to service.

After a serious incident or a typhoon: inspection before resuming operation.

The safety gear drop test must be carried out with the car empty and at a safe height, with the area barricaded.

Records of all tests must be kept and signed by the person who carried them out.

The rated load is the maximum load the car is designed to carry, including passengers, materials and the operator; it is shown on the plate.

The overload limiter must be set to trip at not more than 110% of the rated load; it gives an alarm and prevents hoisting.

Load must be evenly distributed and secured; concentrated loads near the gate are prohibited.

Long loads must not project beyond the car; if they do, the move requires a risk assessment and a competent person's approval.

The number of passengers must not exceed the number stated on the plate; for material hoists, passengers are prohibited.

The operator must know the weight of the load; if in doubt, weigh it or reduce it.

Overloading causes brake failure, rope/rack overload, and mast tie failure; it is a primary cause of hoist accidents.

The load chart and the rated load plate must be legible; if illegible, the lift must be taken out of service.

If power fails, the car can be lowered manually using the hand-winch or manual release, following the manufacturer's procedure.

Only trained and authorised persons may carry out manual lowering; the operator may be trained to do so.

Before manual lowering, isolate the main power, apply the manual brake release, and lower slowly to the nearest landing.

Barricade the area and warn persons below before manual lowering.

If the car cannot be lowered, rescue by ladder through the roof trapdoor, using a harness and a rescue line.

The rescue procedure must be posted at the ground station and practised in drills.

After any emergency lowering, the lift must be inspected by the competent person before returning to service.

Record the event, the cause and the actions taken in the log book.

Bell/ring code: 1 = stop, 2 = up, 3 = down; the code must be agreed and posted.

Hand signal for stop: arm raised, palm forward, held still.

Hand signal for up: arm raised and moved in a small upward arc.

Hand signal for down: arm lowered and moved in a small downward arc.

The signaller must be in clear view of the operator; if not, use radio.

The operator must stop on any stop signal from anyone, regardless of who gave it.

Radio channel must be agreed and tested before the shift; a backup whistle code must be agreed.

The signaller must confirm the landing number and the load before each move.

Log book: daily checks, defects, repairs, examinations, and names of persons.

Certificate of examination: issued by the competent examiner, valid for 6 months, kept on site.

Operator's certificate: carried or available on site.

Maintenance records: dates, work done, parts replaced, and the name of the competent person.

Incident reports: kept and reported to the Labour Department as required.

Drill records: dates of emergency lowering drills and names of participants.

Records must be kept for the period required by the ordinance and produced on demand.

Records must be legible, signed and dated.

Falls from height: use harness and lanyard when working on the car roof or mast.

Falling objects: barricade the area below, use toe boards and mesh, and wear a helmet.

Crush: keep hands clear of gates and the rack; never reach through the gate.

Electrical: earth the hoist, use an RCD, protect cables, and isolate before maintenance.

Wind: stop when the anemometer trips; lower the car to the base.

Mast collapse: check wall ties, plumb, and foundation; report any movement.

Brake failure: test the brake daily; report any drift.

Fire: isolate power, evacuate, and do not use the lift for firefighting.

The site coordinator must ensure the area under the hoist is barricaded and signposted.

The landing must have a safe walkway and a gate that self-closes.

Only authorised persons may enter the base enclosure.

Coordinate with the safety officer before any test, repair or relocation.

Isolate and tag out the lift before maintenance.

Agree a single signaller and a single radio channel.

Test communication before the shift.

Hold a briefing before any unusual lift.

Carry out the daily pre-use check and record it.

Operate within the rated load and the number of passengers.

Do not bypass interlocks or safety devices.

Report defects immediately and take the lift out of service if unsafe.

Remain at the controls while the car is in motion.

Lower the car to the base and isolate power after the shift.

Know the emergency lowering procedure and the location of the isolator.

Carry the operator's certificate and produce it on demand.