Contingency Planning: Lift Breakdown in Care Homes Policy

Policy Statement

Residents, staff and others use the home’s passenger lift(s) on the basis that they can use it safely and can summon help (eg by pressing the emergency alarm button) or trigger the emergency procedures (eg by mobile phone) in the event of lift failure or breakdown.

Users whose personal safety would be put at risk from the lift breaking down should not use it unless with someone who can help them use it safely and summon help in the event of lift failure. Residents are routinely assessed for any risks they take in using the lift; the management of any identified risks is then included in their care plan.

This policy describes the procedures to be followed in the event of a passenger lift breakdown, from any cause, that results in potential inconvenience to and risks to the safety and welfare of residents. It should be related to other policies that describe the home’s approach to the safe use, maintenance and repair of any equipment used in the home, including its passenger lifts.

The policy relates to others on the safe use of premises, equipment and facilities in line with the requirements of the national care standards and applicable health and safety laws and regulations.

The home also complies fully with any requirements of the applicable local authorities and care regulators to be notified of safety incidents.

Procedures

Whenever there is a lift failure the staff involved under management leadership should take into account the following matters.

Is anyone trapped in the lift whose personal safety (including emotional safety) is put at risk?
How can we get them out as quickly and safely as possible?
How quickly can we obtain the expert help needed to get the lift working again as soon as possible?
If that help is not immediately available and people are likely to be trapped for some time, should we seek the help of the fire service to help get people out and possibly the ambulance service if people are likely to need emergency medical help?
What are the implications for residents and staff who might be inconvenienced or their health and wellbeing impaired as a result of the lift being out of use for any length of time?

Emergency and Short-term Considerations

To summon the correct help quickly, the following contact details are always prominently displayed and are at hand.

Contact	Contact details
Maintenance person/electrician
Lift company engineers emergency service
Fire service
Ambulance service
Other (as indicated locally)

Emergency Procedure (Breakdown with People Trapped)

In the event of a lift breakdown where people are trapped and a lift passenger has called for help, the nearest member of staff should attend the lift doors, check the passengers’ welfare and notify a duty manager.
Reassurance should be given that all efforts will be taken to secure their release as soon as possible.
Where there is likely to be a delay a competent person, eg the manager or nurse in charge, should assess the impact on the person or people who are trapped and take whatever action is possible to provide relief.
A staff member should be allocated to provide trapped persons with regular information on progress on their release and to provide continuous reassurance.
In the event of a distressed passenger and/or a delayed engineer response, the duty manager should consider contacting the emergency services (fire and/or paramedical service) for guidance and possible practical help.

Non-emergency Procedure (Breakdown without People Trapped)

In the event of a breakdown with no persons trapped, the duty manager should determine how soon the lift can be repaired by seeking advice from the breakdown service/electrical engineers in case of power failure and arranging for help to be provided as quickly as possible.

Implications for Welfare of Residents of Passenger Lift Breakdown

The impact of any lift failure will need to be assessed for each resident affected, eg some residents might be unable to return to their rooms, while others might be confined to their room landing for the duration.

Residents should be reassured that the home will do everything possible to make sure that their needs are being fully met and will provide additional support where needed.

Residents can expect to be kept up to date with progress over the lift repairs. Relatives will be informed as needed so that they can offer additional support.

Lift Documentation and Care Inspectorate Notification Procedures

All relevant lift documentation is kept in a known place and made available as needed to help with the speedy repair of the lift and its return to normal safe use.

The home should follow the notification requirements of its care regulator to report any major safety incident.

Training

All staff receive training in the procedures to be followed in the event of lift breakdown and need to free trapped passengers.

Responsible Person: {{org_field_registered_manager_first_name}} {{org_field_registered_manager_last_name}}

Reviewed on: {{last_update_date}}

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CH59. Contingency Planning: Lift Breakdown in Care Homes