A lift safety notice can identify a product issue, maintenance concern or operating risk requiring investigation. Its usefulness depends on establishing whether it applies to the equipment and ensuring that appropriate action follows.
The Lift and Escalator Industry Association, known as LEIA, publishes safety information and product notices for the industry and lift owners. These resources support professional assessment; they do not replace the manufacturer’s instructions or the owner’s applicable responsibilities.
DHG Services helps customers discuss lift equipment, installation requirements and continued care. This article explains how to approach safety information and keep the response organised.
What LEIA Safety Information Covers
LEIA’s public information sheets address specialist lift safety topics. Its product information pages also publish notices from members concerning particular equipment and components.
The scope of each document matters. A notice might relate to a specific model, component, production period or operating arrangement rather than every lift in a building.
LEIA states that its information sheets should be read alongside relevant legislation and codes, and that product corrective work belongs with competent engineers.
Read the complete notice and ask the maintenance provider to establish its relevance. A headline or photograph alone may not identify whether your installation is affected.
Identify the Equipment Before Drawing Conclusions
Keep an accurate record of the lift’s manufacturer, model, installation details and any later modifications.
A building containing several lifts may have different equipment at each location. Assigning a clear asset reference helps connect advice and completed work to the correct installation.
Provide the notice to the maintenance contractor together with available records. Ask for confirmation of applicability, the assessment required and any operating restrictions.
Where a particular component is involved, its identification may require an engineer’s inspection. Do not remove covers or access restricted areas to investigate it yourself.
Document the response so the question remains visible until it has been resolved.
Understand the Difference Between Maintenance and Examination
Routine maintenance and a thorough examination serve different purposes.
Maintenance involves work intended to keep equipment operating appropriately and address wear or faults. A thorough examination is a structured assessment by a competent person where required.
For workplace lifting equipment, the applicable duties must be established rather than assuming a maintenance visit satisfies every requirement.
HSE also distinguishes equipment used at work from many lifts used solely in private domestic settings. The absence of a particular workplace duty does not remove the need to follow the equipment’s maintenance instructions.
Keep maintenance arrangements and any examination programme clearly identified in the records.
Respond to Safety Advice Through the Right People
If an assessment identifies a problem affecting safe operation, follow the restrictions and remedial arrangements provided by the appropriate professional.
A caretaker, receptionist or resident should not attempt to bypass a lock or adjust a safety device to keep a lift available.
Tell the people responsible for access arrangements when equipment is taken out of service. Provide clear information about the affected route and suitable alternatives.
The person managing the response should know what work is required, who will complete it and what evidence is needed before the matter can be closed.
Technical decisions and return-to-service arrangements should remain with appropriately competent people.
Recent Example: Certain One-Touch Platform Controls
LEIA issued a warning notice in November 2025 concerning certain lifting platforms with latching or automatic platform controls.
The notice advises owners of affected equipment to involve their maintenance provider. It discusses conversion to hold-to-run controls where feasible, or appropriate risk assessment and control measures where the arrangement is retained.
Its scope includes important exclusions, including specified home lift and enclosed lifting arrangements. It should therefore not be interpreted as a statement that every lift with automatic controls is affected.
This example shows why equipment identification and the full document are essential. Ask the provider to confirm whether the notice applies and record the advice and completed action.
Match Continued Care to the Lift Type
Domestic lifting equipment comes in different forms, with different instructions and installation characteristics.
A seated stairlift follows the staircase. Certain through-floor lifts travel through a prepared opening between levels. Other home lifts use different configurations.
A safety notice concerning one category may not apply to another.
The same principle applies to maintenance. A service arrangement should identify the actual equipment being supported rather than describe all lifting products as interchangeable.
Keep the operating manual available and ask for advice if you are unsure which instructions relate to the installation.
Keep a Record of Actions and Outstanding Work
A useful safety record connects the original concern with its resolution.
Keep the notice, applicability assessment, inspection findings and relevant quotations together. Record any restrictions, target dates and arrangements for access while work is outstanding.
Once the work is completed, retain the engineer’s report and any further documentation required.
If the lift is managed by a different person later, these records help explain what was checked and why. They also reduce the risk of an unresolved recommendation disappearing during a change of contractor or managing agent.
A file should distinguish completed work from advice still awaiting action.
Frequently Asked Questions
These answers explain how to approach safety notices and arrange appropriate assistance.
Does a LEIA notice mean every lift of that brand is unsafe?
No. The scope may concern a particular product, component, version or operating arrangement. The complete notice needs to be checked against the actual installation. Ask the maintenance provider to identify whether it applies and explain any recommended inspection, restrictions or remedial work. An internet image or brand name is not enough to establish the condition of a particular lift. Keep the written response with the equipment records and make sure any required action is tracked through to completion. If the notice or professional advice requires equipment to remain out of use, follow that instruction while the matter is resolved.
Can staff carry out the corrective work themselves?
Corrective work on lift equipment should be undertaken by people with the necessary competence and authorisation. Ordinary building staff should not alter controls, bridge safety circuits or use release keys simply because they have access to them. The maintenance provider can explain what work is required and which operational checks trained staff may appropriately perform. Where a lift needs to be unavailable, staff can help communicate the restriction and manage access according to the building’s procedures. The technical remedy and any required testing should remain with the appropriate professionals, with documentation retained after the work.
Does regular servicing remove the need to check safety notices?
No. Servicing and safety information should support each other. Ask the maintenance provider how relevant product notices and manufacturer updates are considered for your equipment. A new notice may require attention between routine visits, depending on its scope and instructions. Keep equipment identification details accurate so applicability can be established efficiently. Where the provider recommends further work, ask for an explanation and record the agreed action. Following notices does not replace scheduled maintenance, and attending maintenance appointments does not automatically establish that every separate recommendation has been completed. Each outstanding item should have a clear owner and status.
Discuss Your Equipment with DHG Services
If you have received a notice or need help identifying the appropriate next step, provide the equipment details and the document concerned.
We can discuss the enquiry and establish suitable assistance for the installation. If you are planning new equipment, our straight stairlift options provide information about one of the available access arrangements.
Contact DHG Services to discuss your lift or stairlift requirements and continued care.
