Product Overview

Summary: This SOP sets out a clear, step‑by‑step framework for managing the safety, maintenance and legal compliance of elevators in Australian public buildings. It helps duty holders systematically control lift-related risks, meet WHS and building code obligations, and provide safe, reliable vertical transport for workers, visitors and members of the public.

Elevators in public buildings are safety‑critical plant that must operate reliably under high passenger volumes and diverse usage patterns. In Australia, building owners and persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) have strict duties under WHS law and building regulations to ensure lifts are installed, operated, inspected and maintained in a way that does not expose workers, contractors or the public to health and safety risks. This Elevators in Public Buildings Compliance Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured, repeatable system to manage those obligations day‑to‑day, not just at installation or during major upgrades.

The SOP translates complex Australian Standards, building codes and WHS requirements into practical actions for facilities and property teams. It covers everything from pre‑start checks, scheduled inspections and contractor management through to incident response, entrapment procedures, signage, and recordkeeping for regulators and insurers. By implementing this procedure, organisations can reduce the likelihood of mechanical failures, passenger entrapments, trips and falls, and unsafe use, while also demonstrating due diligence in the event of an audit, complaint or incident investigation. This document is particularly valuable for councils, healthcare facilities, education providers, retail centres, transport hubs and other high‑traffic public buildings seeking to standardise lift management across multiple sites.

Key Benefits

• Ensure consistent compliance with WHS legislation, Australian Standards and building code requirements for elevator operation in public buildings.
• Reduce the risk of passenger injury, entrapment and mechanical failure through structured inspections, testing and preventative maintenance.
• Streamline coordination between building management, lift service contractors and emergency responders with clearly defined roles and communication protocols.
• Demonstrate due diligence to regulators, insurers and auditors through robust documentation, inspection records and incident reporting processes.
• Improve user experience and public confidence by minimising elevator downtime, unsafe behaviours and accessibility issues.

Who is this for?

• Building Owners
• Property Managers
• Facilities Managers
• WHS Managers
• Compliance Managers
• Operations Managers
• Maintenance Coordinators
• Strata Managers
• Local Government Asset Managers
• Public Infrastructure Managers (hospitals, universities, transport hubs)

Hazards Addressed

• Passenger entrapment due to power failure or mechanical malfunction
• Crush and shear hazards at doors and landing thresholds
• Trips and falls from mislevelled cars or unexpected car movement
• Electrical hazards associated with elevator control systems and machine rooms
• Unauthorised access to lift shafts, pits, machinery spaces and control rooms
• Manual handling and access risks for maintenance personnel
• Panic, stress and secondary health impacts for vulnerable passengers during incidents
• Exposure to asbestos or other hazardous materials during upgrade or maintenance works in older buildings
• Fire and smoke spread risks associated with elevator shafts during building emergencies
• Slips, trips and falls due to water ingress, spills or debris in lift cars and lobbies

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose and Scope
• 2.0 Definitions and References
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Standards Compliance Obligations
• 5.0 Elevator Asset Register and Classification (Public Buildings)
• 6.0 Pre-Start and Daily Operational Checks
• 7.0 Scheduled Inspection, Testing and Preventative Maintenance
• 8.0 Contractor Management and Permit-to-Work for Elevator Activities
• 9.0 Safe Use Rules, Signage and User Behaviour Management
• 10.0 Accessibility and Requirements for Persons with Disabilities
• 11.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Control Measures for Elevators
• 12.0 Incident, Fault and Near-Miss Reporting and Investigation
• 13.0 Passenger Entrapment and Emergency Response Procedures
• 14.0 Integration with Fire, Evacuation and Power Failure Procedures
• 15.0 Isolation, Lockout/Tagout and Out-of-Service Protocols
• 16.0 Cleaning, Housekeeping and Environmental Controls in Lift Cars and Lobbies
• 17.0 Documentation, Inspection Records and Compliance Evidence
• 18.0 Training, Induction and Communication for Staff and Contractors
• 19.0 Audit, Review and Continuous Improvement of Elevator Compliance
• 20.0 Appendices – Sample Checklists, Logbooks and Inspection Forms

Legislation & References

• WHS Act and WHS Regulations (as adopted in relevant Australian state or territory)
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Plant in the Workplace Code of Practice
• Safe Work Australia – How to Manage Work Health and Safety Risks Code of Practice
• AS 1735 series: Lifts, escalators and moving walks (particularly AS 1735.1, AS 1735.2 and AS 1735.10)
• AS 1735.12: Facilities for persons with disabilities
• AS 1735.19: Lifts—Safety rules for the construction and installation of lifts
• AS/NZS 3000: Electrical installations (Wiring Rules)
• National Construction Code (NCC) – Performance requirements and Deemed-to-Satisfy provisions for lifts and emergency egress
• AS 3745: Planning for emergencies in facilities
• AS ISO 45001: Occupational health and safety management systems