School Lifting Equipment Dangerous-Defect Withdrawal Procedure

This procedure applies conditionally when a lifting-equipment examination or inspection identifies an unresolved defect that is or could become a danger to people.

1. Receive and assess the defect report

When notified of such a defect, obtain the written examination or inspection report and confirm the equipment or accessory concerned, the defect identified, whether immediate cessation of use is required, and whether the report specifies a later remedy deadline.

The defect must be confirmed in writing in the report, even if it is remedied immediately, including where an accessory is destroyed.

2. Prevent further use

Where the defect is or could become a danger to people, take effective action to manage the risk by ensuring that the lifting equipment is not used until the defect is remedied.

Withdraw or isolate the affected equipment or accessory using the school's designated control method: [equipment withdrawal or isolation method]. Where relevant, apply the site's access control or identification arrangements so that the affected equipment is not used.

3. Track the remedy deadline

Record the report date, the affected equipment or accessory, the required action, the person responsible for progressing the action, and the remedy deadline specified in the report, if any, in [defect deadline tracking record].

Where the report requires immediate cessation of use, do not permit further use until the defect is remedied. Where the report specifies a later remedy deadline and does not require immediate cessation, remedy the defect or stop using the equipment within the period specified on the report.

4. Remedy, repair or disposal

Arrange for the defect to be remedied. Where remedy involves destruction of an accessory, record the destruction and retain the relevant report and record in [defect record location].

If the defect is not remedied within the period specified on the report, ensure that the equipment is not further used.

5. Reinspection and return to use

Keep the equipment withdrawn from use until the defect has been remedied. Where the school's process requires reinspection or formal return-to-use authorisation, follow [reinspection and return to use process] before permitting use again.

Record the remedy, any applicable reinspection, and the decision authorising or declining return to use in [return to use record].

6. Reporting and records

Retain the written defect report, withdrawal or isolation record, deadline-tracking record, repair or remedy record, and any applicable reinspection, return-to-use or destruction record.

The person making the report must notify the relevant enforcing authority with a copy of the report. The school should retain evidence of any notification received or made under the applicable reporting arrangements at [enforcing authority notification record].