10 Proactive Steps to take Control of High Risk Plant.

MINC Risk Services offer our clients a tailored service to help them take a proactive approach towards controlling this expensive equipment and minimising the frustration to users.

Owners and managers can prepare for and deal with these unplanned elevator or escalator stoppages – professionally and effectively. The following is a step-by-step guideline to assist you in taking the panic and emotional frustration out of the equation.

For ease of understanding, we group the 10 steps into 3 stages;

• Independent Analysis - Compliance, equipment suitability, historical, R&H’s
• Internal Procedures - Breakdown & guest management, policies & training
• Prevention Measures - Performance criteria, life cycles & programmed maintenance

By implementing the above, you can take the guesswork out of this important aspect of your building plant and be confident that you are well prepared for any likelihood in the future. Lets look at each of these in more detail.

Independent Analysis – HRP (Elevators and Escalators)

Stage 1: We start by getting to know the equipment and it’s past and present performance. Our auditors shall cover 4 areas of the plant;

• commence with a Compliance audit which involves the inspection and testing of between 150 – 300 components
• review the equipments suitability for the application it is being used in by working with the service provider to complete a traffic study.
• look at the maintenance, breakdown and repairs history
• then the final activity in this stage is a Risk and Hazard assessment

With this information we can build an accurate profile of the most likely future problems to prepare for. This information is captured in report format for your future reference.

Internal Procedures – HRP (Elevators and Escalators)

Stage 2: MINC Risk Services auditor shall work with the client to access any existing policies, procedures, work instructions or records which relate to this plant and the method for dealing with breakdowns – both internal and external.

In the event that there is nothing in place then the auditor shall propose a framework together with the necessary templates to help build a set of documents which assist in the management of any normal or emergency scenario involving this plant.

Once completed the auditor shall conduct training to all relevant staff on understanding and implementation of the process. During the training we shall simulate the event for staff to practice the approach.

Prevention Measures – HRP (Elevators and Escalators)

Stage 3: So far in stage one we reviewed the equipment, then in stage 2 we prepared staff to deal with the emergency stoppages, now in this final stage we look at what can be done to minimise the rate of breakdown.

The first activity the MINC Risk Services auditor will undertake is to identify what should be the acceptable level of performance for the plant in it’s present service application. This allows the auditor to set some benchmarks for the service provider and associated penalty consequences should the breakdown rate exceed the nominated number.

It also allows the staff to be better prepared with some guidelines of what they can expect by way of equipment performance.

The second activity is to work with the Lift Company and client in determining the life expectancy of various major components with-in the plants system. The auditor shall prepare a list of items and have 3 service providers offer their pricing for repair and replacement. This is great for establishing sinking fund budgets and the insurance companies like it as it shows a progressive intent to maintain your plant as new.

Finally we look at the maintenance requirements to keep the equipment functioning to an optimum level of performance (or the level required by the client) and prepare a maintenance schedule according to these desires. With this knowledge we then approach the existing service provider for discussion about the clients needs and agree a suitable program.

MINC Risk Services look forward to helping answer your questions and developing your business to the new highs in the area of Health & Safety.