Saatja: Richard Saarman
Saatmisaeg: 15. detsember 2015. a. 12:48
Adressaat: '
[email protected]'
Teema: inspection information - lifting platforms for washing windows
T�htsus: K�rge
Your: 14.12.2015
Our: 15.12.2015 No 14-1/15-1829-002
Dear Mr Camfferman
Thank you for letter about lifting platforms for washing windows.
Let us kindly explain the principles of Equipment Safety Act (ESA) which purpose is to ensure the safety
of equipment and equipment-related processes.
One of the key elements of the safety of the equipment is the good technical condition of the
equipment. Therefore it is set out in ESA � 6 (2) p. 4 that upon using the equipment it must be ensured
that the requirements of use and maintenance (operation) of the equipment are followed.
The requirements in question are provided by the equipment manufacturer in the user manual,
maintenance manual etc. The owner of the equipment and person who uses it must follow the rules
described in these manuals. Doing so ensures good technical condition of the equipment.
This is the basic idea ensuring the sufficient safety level of the equipment in use. In addition, it is very
important to have competent personnel, as majority of the accident are actually not happening because
of technical breakdowns.
However, the audit (technical inspection) of the equipment is required for certain types of the
equipment which is considered potentially more dangerous than the other equipment. The audit
basically means performing the annual inspection by the inspection body like Inspecta Estonia O� etc.
Concerning the lifting platforms for washing windows, such type of equipment is not listed as more
dangerous equipment subject to annual audit. It is not building hoist and it is not crane but something
else.
For considering such type of equipment as potentially more dangerous than the other equipment in use
the appropriate risk assessment must be carried out and other influences must be assessed. Please
notice that the level of the risk is depending on many aspects, including public or private use, user
training level, the amount of the equipment in use, accident statistics etc. Also the annual inspection
requirement existence in other EU member states must be analysed.
Please also notice that in case somebody wants to order additional inspection for lifting platforms for
washing windows it is not forbidden in any way or limited with the list of potentially dangerous
equipment.
The ESA has been composed by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications (Mr. Ago Pelisaar,
[email protected]) after consulting various parties. We will forward your suggestion to the Ministry
but you can also contact with Mr. Pelisaar for making ESA improvement suggestions and for other
consultation.
Best Regards,
Richard Saarman
Chief Specialist
+372 667 2175 |
[email protected] | www.tja.ee
Technical Regulatory Authority
S�le 23A, 10614 Tallinn, Estonia
From: Jeffrey [Spectator Productions] [mailto:
[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 8:42 AM
To: Mariann Loide <
[email protected]>
Cc: Raigo Uukkivi <
[email protected]>; Margit Tammistu <
[email protected]>
Subject: inspection information
Importance: High
Tere,
I�d like to know if there is written in the Estonian law that platforms, lifting equipment or suspended
platforms need to have a yearly safety inspection.
Elevators need to have these checks. But lifting platforms that are used by window washers don�t have
this yet.
Regarding EN-1808 and EN-280 there are first time use examinations ( if they are performed ) but no
yearly inspection.
In working conditions legislation is written that machines and systems need to be safe and checked.
And that workers need to have a basic safety certificate. ( not everyone has this yet but I saw that there
is an organization working on that ).
So in this situation there is something wrong, not clear or there need to be a change. Because there are
some unsafe situations that I have seen and like to solve to create a safe work environment for these
special workers.
Please let me know what to do in this situation or who is the right person to make this change.
Kind regards,
Jeffrey Camfferman
Please call me for details or questions.
+372 5134101