Passenger and goods lifts, commonly known as lifts, are common devices used in today's construction industry. A lift can be found in virtually every residential building or office building, but also on construction sites or in restaurants. Nowadays, passenger or goods lifts are standard in every new building, so a lift operator qualification can be an attractive way to extend your professional competence. However, what is good to know before taking the lift operator and goods lift licence exam? 

What types of elevators are there? 

employee in a crane cab

Passenger and goods lifts are widely used and can be found in virtually every industry branch. There are five types of elevators due to their construction and application: 

  • Passenger crane are used to move people vertically between floors. Lifts of this type are either electrically or hydraulically powered. The lift moves in the lift shaft along rigid guides. 
  • Freight crane has no controls inside the cab. It is only designed to transport goods and people are not allowed to enter it. The operator controls the lift from outside. The lift itself moves along vertical or slightly inclined to vertical guides.  
  • Freight and service crane is another type of goods lift, the difference being that it has space for people to take care of loading and unloading the lift. 
  • Hospital crane is a special type of lift, adapted to transporting people and hospital beds together with medical equipment. It is distinguished from other passenger and goods lifts primarily by its functions designed for emergency driving. 
  • Construction crane is a lift used on construction sites to transport both people and loads. The lift features a cabin or platform that moves along vertical or gently inclined guides. 

What legal regulations govern the operation of passenger and goods lifts? 

The rules for operating passenger and goods lifts are dictated by four legal acts: 

  • Act of December 21, 2000 on technical inspection 
  • Regulation of the Council of Ministers of December 7, 2012 on the types of technical devices subject to technical inspection, issued pursuant to Art. 5 sec. 2 of the act on technical inspection. 
  • Regulation of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of May 21, 2019 on the method and procedure for checking qualifications required for the operation and maintenance of technical devices and the method and procedure for extending the validity period of qualification certificates, issued pursuant to art. 23 sec. 5 of the act on technical inspection. 
  • Ordinance of the Minister of Entrepreneurship and Technology of 30 October 2018 on the technical conditions for technical supervision in the operation, repair and modernisation of materials handling equipment (Journal of Laws 2018 item 2176) 

In Poland, lifts are one of the many pieces of equipment subject to technical supervision. This means that to operate or maintain passenger and goods passenger lifts you must first acquire the relevant rights. The issuing of qualifications for lifts and many other machines is handled by the Office of Technical Inspection. Anyone wishing to work as a lift operator must first complete a certified examination before a commission appointed by the UDT. Passenger and goods lift licences are valid for 10 years. After this date, it is necessary to take the exam again and pass it successfully in order to renew the licence. 

construction crane with workers

In addition, it is worth remembering that one type of authorization qualifies you to operate both goods and passenger lifts, such as those found in most residential buildings or offices, but also allow you to work with a construction crane and a goods lift. This means that having one license, you can work on the operation and maintenance of both cranes installed on the construction site and those located in buildings. 

Who can take the examination for passenger and goods lifts? 

The basis for taking the examination for passenger and goods lifts, as in the case of most devices subject to technical supervision, is the lack of medical contraindications to practice the profession. Additionally, two basic conditions must be met: 

  • At least 18 years old 
  • Education at least basic 

Anyone who meets the above criteria may apply to one of the many training centers in Poland to undergo a course and exam for passenger and goods lifts. 

What is the course for the operation of passenger and goods lifts? 

Lift operator courses are run regularly by many training centres throughout Poland. Persons wishing to broaden their professional competences by the ability to operate passenger and goods lifts must first pass the relevant training and the final exam with a positive result. The course for the operation of passenger and goods lifts consists of three parts: theoretical, practical and final exam. 

Theoretical part 

In the theoretical part of the training, trainees are provided with all technical information related to the safe operation of passenger and goods lifts. The most common topics in this section are: 

  • Safe operation of goods lifts and associated regulations of the Office of Technical Inspection (UDT) 
  • subdivision and classification of cranes by construction and use 
  • responsibilities of the passenger and goods lift operator 
  • Health and safety rules for working with lifts 
  • Correct preparation of the workstation 
  • Maintenance of correct technical documentation of passenger and goods lifts 

Practical part 

In the practical part, students have the opportunity to verify the knowledge acquired in the theoretical part of the training. Under the supervision of instructors, the trainees perform a number of activities related to the maintenance and operation of goods and passenger lifts. Classes in the practical part are most often held on specially designed equipment. Students can practice and verify their abilities here before the final exam. 

Final exam 

At the end of the course, each trainee takes an examination before the UDT board. Like the course, the exam itself consists of two parts - the theoretical and the practical. In the theoretical part, the trainees answer a set of questions designed to confirm the knowledge they have acquired in the first part of the course. Then, in the practical part, they have to perform correctly in front of a commission a number of activities related to the operation and maintenance of goods and passenger lifts. Anyone who passes both parts of the exam and completes it successfully will receive a certificate, confirming their skills and ensuring that they are qualified accordingly. 

Is it worth taking a course for passenger and goods lifts? 

passenger lift in the building

Completing the course and passing the elevator operator exam certainly involves some effort, but it is worth expanding your professional competences with these qualifications. Lifts are machines with a wide range of applications, present today in virtually every building with more floors. People working as elevator operators cannot, therefore, complain about shortages in employment. 

We encourage you to contact ERGON to arrange the training. Our company offers courses on a wide range of devices under technical supervision. For more information, please visit our website.