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Original poster

Lift broken at work

208 replies

Mitara · 21/07/2025 09:04

The lift has been broken in my workplace for the last month.

The employer said he has been waiting for a part that he ordered.

However i have heard him moan about the cost of getting the lift fixed. He said that it will cot him thousands of pounds to get it fixed . He wont be paying for it out of his own pocket. It will come out of company money, but he just doesnt like paying for it.

The lift being broken has resulted in me and other members of staff having to walk up and down a lot of stairs more for normal tasks, and we are also having to do heavy lifting up and down stairs. I honestly feel like im going to collapse.

Is there any law or workplace safety regulation that states that an emloyer must get a lift fixed, if not having a lift is causing health and safety risks to employees.

I was trying to look it up last night but havent found anything specific yet. I would love to find something specific and show it to him

OP posts:
verycloakanddaggers · 21/07/2025 09:21

Lifting up and down stairs instead of using a lift needs a revised risk assessment.

They should take that seriously.

Has anyone had any accident or near miss? Report everything formally.

Are you in a union or is there a HR department? Speak to them.

Contact ACAS for advice if no union or HR department.

MissMoneyFairy · 21/07/2025 09:19

If you go to the HSE website, lifts at work are covered by regulations, all the info is there.

needtostopnamechanging · 21/07/2025 09:17

If you feel it is dangerous for you to be carrying things up and down the stairs that is a reason to not do it /ask for help /adjustment to work

they don’t have to provide a lift
they do have to make sure you are safe

caramac04 · 21/07/2025 09:17

I wouldn’t mind walking the stairs but would not be happy about carrying stuff up or down as I have a fear of falling which makes me slow and tentative if I’ve got my arms full.
Not everyone can manage stairs easily and they have now lost a pre-existing facility which is unreasonable.

Ohmygodthepain · 21/07/2025 09:16

What sort of heavy lifting? And do you have any sort of health issue that means you need to use a lift?

You could argue that it is unsafe to do heavy lifting up and down stairs, and stuff should be stored on the ground floor until the lift is fixed.

RevolutionHere · 21/07/2025 09:16

can you do your moving and handling safely without a lift?

MissMoneyFairy · 21/07/2025 09:15

Not sure if there's a law about the lift but there is about lifting and handling, what sorts of things are you carrying up and down. Have you looked at the acas site, is there an occupational health depths, what sort of industry is it.

Topseyt123 · 21/07/2025 09:14

What sort of work do you do? What heavy lifting does it involve that necessitates use of the lift as you mention?

I don't know about the legal health and safety angle and there are still some buildings that don't have lifts.

I'd be unhappy too, mainly because I don't have great balance and as I am getting older I struggle more and more on stairs.

Does your employer (or their landlord) not have a maintenance contract for the lifts? I thought most would have for major heavy equipment like that.