HK Builder's Lift Operator (CIC) key terms

Hong Kong subsidiary legislation under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance that sets safety duties for construction sites, including lift operation, training, and inspection requirements.

The principal Hong Kong law (Cap. 59) governing industrial safety, empowering the Labour Department to make regulations for construction sites and lifting appliances.

Hong Kong regulations requiring examination, testing, and certification of lifting appliances and gear, including builder's lifts, by a competent examiner.

A person appointed to examine and test lifting appliances and certify their safety, holding the qualifications and experience required by the relevant Hong Kong regulations.

A person with the training, knowledge, and experience to inspect or supervise lifting operations safely, as defined in Hong Kong safety legislation.

A temporary passenger and material hoist installed on a construction site to raise and lower workers and loads along a guided vertical path.

A lifting appliance intended only for goods, not passengers, and clearly marked to prevent people from riding in its car or platform.

The enclosed platform or cage that carries passengers or materials up and down the mast of a builder's lift, fitted with gates and safety devices.

A vertical structural module bolted to form the guide tower of a builder's lift, supporting the car and transmitting loads to the base.

A structural connection fixing the lift mast to the building or scaffold at intervals to keep it stable and plumb under wind and operating loads.

The maximum load, in kilograms or persons, that a builder's lift is designed and certified to carry safely under normal operating conditions.

A condition where the load in the car exceeds the safe working load, which can cause brake failure, structural stress, or uncontrolled descent.

A sensor or switch that detects when the car load exceeds the safe working load and prevents the lift from starting or moving.

A safety device that prevents the lift from moving unless the car and landing gates are fully closed and locked, and prevents gates opening while moving.

The gate on the car of a builder's lift that must be closed and locked before travel and must not open until the car is level with a landing.

A gate at each floor level that guards the open side of the liftway and is interlocked to prevent access when the car is not present.

A device that detects when the lift exceeds a set speed and triggers the safety gear to stop the car, preventing free fall.

A mechanical braking device that grips the guide rails to stop and hold the car if it overspeeds or if the suspension ropes fail.

Uncontrolled downward movement of the lift car due to loss of suspension or brake failure, which safety gear and governors are designed to arrest.

A daily check by the operator before starting work, covering gates, interlocks, brakes, ropes, alarms, and the travel path for defects.

A detailed examination and test of the builder's lift by a competent examiner at statutory intervals, with results recorded in a certificate.

The operator's duty to report any fault or unsafe condition immediately to the supervisor and to stop using the lift until it is repaired.

A tag attached to a lift control or gate to show that the equipment is defective and must not be used until repaired and re-inspected.

A procedure of isolating and locking the power supply to a builder's lift so that it cannot be started during maintenance or repair.

The rule that no person may ride in a material hoist or on any load, and that passengers may only travel in a certified builder's lift.

A trained worker who directs the lift operator using agreed hand signals, radio, or other communication to ensure safe movement and landing.

A standardised arm or hand movement used by a signalman to instruct the lift operator to raise, lower, stop, or hold the car.

Two-way voice contact between the operator and signalmen or landing attendants, used where hand signals are not visible or reliable.

A red button or switch that immediately cuts power to the lift motor and applies the brake to halt the car in an emergency.

A controlled lowering of a stranded lift car using manual or auxiliary controls by a trained person, following the manufacturer's procedure.

A situation where people are trapped inside a lift car that has stopped between floors or lost power, requiring rescue without forcing gates.

An audible device inside the lift car that a trapped passenger can use to summon help from site personnel.

The main fatal hazard on construction sites, including falling from lift landings, open liftways, or while climbing on the lift structure.

Guards, toe boards, and barriers at landings and openings that prevent people and objects from falling into the liftway.

A record book kept on site listing inspections, repairs, maintenance, and defects for the builder's lift, available for review by authorities.

A daily record kept by the lift operator noting pre-use checks, hours of use, loads carried, and any incidents or defects observed.

The duty of the lift operator to be trained and authorised, to operate only within the safe working load, and to refuse unsafe requests.