Hi Helen,
An interesting discussion here. I am copying the content of an e-mail sent
out by the Access Association London including some details and links for
the new EU directive details which became law in 2009 allowing 'enclosed'
platform lifts to offer a 'hold to travel' control or not. Hope these are of
help.
Below is some information about new directives on the operation of platform
lifts.
The European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council of the
European Union decided that platform lifts and stairlifts fall under the
jurisdiction of the Machinery Directive 98/37/EC and will also fall under
the new amended Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC. The Machinery Directive
98/37/EC was replaced by the amended Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC on 29
December 2009.
This directive is available at:
http://www.hs-compliance.com/uploaded/documents/Revised%20MD%20published%209
-06-2006.pdf
The European Platform and Stairlift Association presentation is available
at:
http://www.epsa.eu.com/files/legislation_standards/European%20legislation%20
and%20standards%20for%20platform%20lifts%20and%20stairlifts.ppt#397,1,Slide
<http://www.epsa.eu.com/files/legislation_standards/European%20legislation%2
0and%20standards%20for%20platform%20lifts%20and%20stairlifts.ppt%23397,1,Sli
de%201> 1
The EPSA presentation indicates that
* a new boarderline to the Lift Directive - Speed maximum 0.15 m/s.
* hold to run operation inside load carrier if it is not fully
enclosed.
* automatic travel accepted from inside and outside of platform lifts
if the load carriers are fully enclosed.
Regards
Sue
Sue Pellegrino
Access Consultant
The Access Collaboration Ltd
44 King Street
Canterbury
Kent
CT1 2AJ
t- 01227 781451 Tel & Voice-mail
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From: Accessibuilt list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of
Bryant, Helen
Sent: 24 November 2010 12:42
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Platform Lifts
Hi Vin,
Thank you for your support - it's much appreciated.
I agree with you about the lever - it would be good for so many people -
however, if these standards revert to the previous standard, then with any
luck this won't be needed.
It's amazing how unaware non-disabled people can be about things like this
(or, if you're non-disabled, "unqualified" :-) - see how I got out of that
one?!)
I await an answer from Derek Smith from the Lift and Elevator Industry
Association (UK) who Shane Horgan kindly brought to my attention.
So watch this space, folks!
Regards,
Helen
_____
From: Vin [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Wednesday, November 24, 2010 11:18 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Platform Lifts
Hi Helen,
whenever a platform lift is specified locally I try to suggest a more
accessible alternative or if not possible at least that the hold-down button
is replaced with a long lever so that it can be pushed and held more easily
by those who either do not have hands or whose hands and or arms are not
very strong or controllable.
Architects and developers always imply that I am making a fuss about nothing
because they press the button [and they always do this] and say - 'well
that's not hard to keep down!'
Bearing Cliff's terrifying experience in mind and similar close-shaves that
friends of mine have reported, alongside the overall difficulty that people
experience, and remembering that the people who find them difficult are the
very people they are supposed to be accomodating, I think it is high time
that a realistic specification or minimum standard was developed for these
machines. So I personally am very glad you have raised this and disussed it
with Graham and would absolutely support a lobby to update the spec.
Regards,
Vin
Vin West
Secretary Arfon Access Group
Glyn Dwr Llandwrog Uchaf
Caernarfon LL54 7RA
[log in to unmask]
On 23/11/2010 12:33, Bryant, Helen wrote:
Hi all,
I have a proposition to put to you:
As a wheelchair user, I find continuous pressure buttons (hold to run) on
platform lifts a complete pain in every part.
I know it's mandatory, but I spoke to a lovely man this morning:
Graham Payne
Department for Business, Innovation & Skills
Environmental and Technical Regulation Directorate
Bay 1105, 1 Victoria Street
London SW1H 0ET
Tel: 020 7215 0923 / 1973
and Graham said that, if we thought they were A Bad Idea we could challenge
it with the HSE because he said that policies, guidelines and regulations
were ripped up all the time because they were found to be outdated. He also
said that disabled people might be in a body which made such decisions.
So, what are your views on this? Have you had complaints from wheelchair
users who haven't been able to use platform lifts easily because of these
buttons, or have people been saved from potentially dangerous situations
because of them? Indeed, do some people find them dangerous?
Who, if anyone, would be up for trying to change the status quo (OK, who
HASN'T got a guitar riff in their head now?!) and who thinks we should leave
well alone?
Sorry, that's a lot of questions!
I have to confess that somebody I know had an accident on a platform lift
without hold to run buttons, but I am unsure of the cause.
Cheers,
Helen
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