Lift Shaft Construction Safety

Lift shafts are vertical voids in buildings that present fall hazards from every floor level during construction.
Falls into lift shafts are a leading cause of fatal workplace injury in the building construction sector.
Full-height landing doors or equivalent barriers must protect every lift shaft opening at every level.
Temporary covers over shaft openings must be secured, load-rated, and clearly marked as void covers.
Work inside the shaft including blockwork, rendering, and bracket installation requires fall protection.
Materials and debris falling down the shaft endanger workers at lower levels or in the shaft pit.
The shaft pit at the bottom must be kept clean, dry, and free from fallen materials.
Lift guide rail and bracket installation involves working at height within the enclosed shaft space.
Lighting inside the shaft must be adequate for all work activities at every level.
The permit system should control removal of any landing door or barrier at any floor level.

Fatal falls	An unprotected lift shaft opening is a vertical drop of multiple floors — falls are almost always fatal.
Multiple floor risk	Every floor level has an opening into the shaft — protection must be maintained at every level simultaneously.
Falling objects	Tools and materials dropped down the shaft can fall many floors, gaining lethal speed before impact.

Do

Don't

Install full-height barriers or landing doors at every lift shaft opening at every level
Secure and clearly mark any temporary covers over shaft openings as void protection
Use a permit system to control removal of any shaft barrier or landing door
Provide fall arrest equipment for workers carrying out tasks inside the lift shaft
Keep the shaft pit clean, dry, and free from debris and fallen materials
Install adequate temporary lighting inside the shaft for all work activities
Use a debris net or toe board system to prevent materials falling down the shaft
Inspect shaft protection at every level at the start of each shift
Brief all trades working near the shaft on the specific fall hazards and rules
Reinstate barriers immediately after any temporary removal for material transfer

DON'T leave any lift shaft opening unprotected at any floor level, even briefly
DON'T remove landing doors or barriers without a permit and immediate replacement plan
DON'T lean into or reach through lift shaft openings without fall arrest equipment
DON'T drop or throw materials down the lift shaft under any circumstances
DON'T use the lift shaft as a waste chute or material storage area
DON'T work inside the shaft without fall protection and adequate lighting
DON'T store materials at the shaft opening edge where they could fall in
DON'T allow the shaft pit to accumulate water, debris, or fallen objects
DON'T assume protection at your level is in place — check it personally before working
DON'T enter the shaft pit without confirming it is clear and safe from above

See also: Working Over Voids and Openings | Falls From Height Awareness

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