This occupation is found in a range of organisations that provide lift and escalator engineering services to locations such as construction sites, transport hubs such as airports and railway stations, care facilities, leisure and hospitality facilities, commercial buildings over two storeys, communal areas in residential settings (including higher-risk buildings) and industrial facilities. Lifts are complex mechanical devices with typically traction or hydraulic drive systems and with sophisticated electrical and electronic controls. They are used for moving people, or people and goods (from palleted foodstuffs to large vehicles) vertically from one level to another in a building and similar environment. Escalators are mechanical, inclined moving stairways to transport people from one level to another, using moving steps. Moving walks are similar to escalators but instead of steps they use pallets that run horizontal or on an incline.
This is a core and options apprenticeship standard. Apprentices will be trained and assessed against the core and one option.
There are four options:
1. Lift installation. Installing passenger or goods carrying lift systems in new or existing buildings.
2. Escalator or moving walk installation. Installing escalators or moving walks in commercial and domestic buildings in open and enclosed areas.
3. Lift maintenance and repair. Maintenance and repair of existing passenger or goods carrying lifts.
4. Escalator or moving walk maintenance and repair. Maintenance and repair of existing escalators and moving walks.
The broad purpose of the occupation is to install new, high-technology equipment or to maintain and repair equipment of varied ages and technologies, depending on the option chosen. They may undertake modernisation of lifts and escalators, replacing the majority of mechanical, hydraulic, electric and electronic parts to leave an up to date, modern machine in place. Other duties include assembling, dismantling, adjusting, and aligning components and interpreting wiring and layout diagrams specific to lifts and escalators and following safe systems of work. The skills employed when conducting the work are of a complex nature and draw upon knowledge and experience of a wide range of equipment, mainly comprising mechanical traction or hydraulic systems operating at low, medium and high speeds, controlled by a digital or analogue control technology.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with other building trades, customers, members of the public, colleagues, and senior leaders. They work in varying environments including domestic, residential, retail, transport hubs, commercial and industrial buildings above and below ground.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for carrying out the installation or maintenance, repair and modernisation of lifts, escalators, or moving walks, dependent upon the chosen option. They ensure that the lift or escalator performs within established parameters in line with the applicable codes and standards, required by the UK Lift Regulations or the UK Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations. They are also responsible for complying with BSI Flex requirements. They ensure the lift or escalator is safe for use and free from defects. They may need to travel to customers premises to undertake their roles which may be spread over a large geographical area. Since the equipment on which they work may have specific features and operations for accessibility or for use in the event of fire, there is also a building safety and building regulations dimension to the occupation.
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Duty 1 Organise and coordinate work to meet stakeholders’ requirements. |
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Duty 2 Check the operation of maintained or installed equipment and diagnose faults when operational requirements are not met. |
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Duty 3 Identify components required for the task. |
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Duty 4 Ensure availability and performance of materials, tools, and equipment. |
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Duty 5 Inform stakeholders of engineering work status and handover to stakeholders for engineering equipment and services. Escalate issues where required. |
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Duty 6 Provide specialist information and collaborate with other stakeholders including information related to fire and building safety. |
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Duty 7 Contribute to continuous improvement activities and identify possible opportunities for improvements and efficiencies. Identify and complete professional development activities. |
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Duty 8 Complete electronic or paper-based documentation at all required stages of the work activity. |
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Duty 9 Develop and maintain effective working relationships to ensure that customer and business requirements are met. |
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Duty 10 Comply with safe systems of work ensuring statutory regulations and organisational compliance requirements are met. Ensure the safe and secure isolation of equipment as required by organisational policies. Report any accidents and near misses through the required process. |
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Duty 11 Maintain and restore the work area, performing housekeeping and waste management as appropriate in line with environmental and organisational requirements. Ensure tools, unused materials and equipment are returned to a safe, clean and approved condition on completion of work. |
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Duty 12 Follow industry Health and Safety codes of practice for safe working as defined in the British Standards. |
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Duty 13 Measure and set out lift installations. |
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Duty 14 Install lift well equipment. |
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Duty 15 Install lift machines, overspeed protection devices and control systems. |
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Duty 16 Install lift suspension systems. |
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Duty 17 Install lift doors, entrances, and associated equipment. |
K29 K30 K31 K33 K35 K36 K38 K39
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Duty 18 Confirm correct operation of installed equipment and lifts. |
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Duty 19 Follow industry Health and Safety codes of practice for safe working as defined in the British Standards. |
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Duty 20 Measure and set out escalator or moving walk installations. |
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Duty 21 Install escalator or moving walk equipment. |
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Duty 22 Confirm correct operation of installed equipment and escalators or moving walks. |
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Duty 23 Follow industry Health and Safety codes of practice for safe working as defined in the British Standards. |
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Duty 24 Inspect and maintain lift equipment. |
K48 K49 K50 K51 K52 K53 K54 K55 K56 K57 K58
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Duty 25 Check lift functions. |
K48 K49 K50 K51 K54 K56 K57 K58 S31 S32 S33 S34 S35 S37 S38 S39
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Duty 26 Rectify faults on lifts. |
K48 K49 K50 K51 K54 K56 K57 K58
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Duty 27 Repair or replace lift components. |
K48 K49 K50 K51 K54 K56 K57 K58
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Duty 28 Complete maintenance schedules. |
K48 K49 K52 K53 K54 K55 K56 K57 K58
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Duty 29 Confirm correct operation of installed equipment and lifts. |
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Duty 30 Follow industry Health and Safety codes of practice for safe working as defined in the British Standards. |
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Duty 31 Inspect and maintain escalator or moving walk equipment. |
K59 K60 K61 K62 K63 K64 K65 K66 K67 K68 K69
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Duty 32 Check escalator or moving walk functions. |
K59 K60 K61 K62 K65 K66 K67 K68 K69
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Duty 33 Rectify faults on escalators or moving walks. |
K59 K60 K61 K62 K66 K67 K68 K69
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Duty 34 Repair or replace escalator or moving walk components. |
K59 K60 K61 K62 K65 K66 K67 K68 K69
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Duty 35 Complete maintenance schedules. |
K59 K60 K63 K64 K66 K67 K68 K69
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Duty 36 Confirm correct operation of installed equipment and escalators or moving walks. |
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K1: Awareness of health and safety regulations, standards, codes of practice and industry guidance, relevance to the occupation and their responsibilities: Health and Safety at Work Act, Control of asbestos regulations, Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER), Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations (PUWER), Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Electricity at Work Regulations, Control of Noise at Work Regulations, Construction Design Management (CDM) Regulations, Building Safety Act and secondary legislation, evacuation, first aid, barriers, guards and signage, safe isolation, near miss reporting, types of fire extinguishers, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and working at height regulations.
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K2: Environmental and sustainability regulations and guidance, relevance to the occupation and their responsibilities. Environmental hazards that can arise from lift and escalator maintenance and installation operations. Environmental management systems standard. Waste management regulations. Types of pollution and control measures: noise, smells, spills, and waste. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE). Hazardous waste regulations.
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K3: Method statements, risk assessments and types of hazards.
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K4: Manufacturer manuals, general arrangement and construction drawings, electrical diagrams and mechanical drawings used in lift and escalator engineering.
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K5: Fire safety measures including correct operation of electrical fault, overload and over temperature protection, and control of combustible materials.
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K6: Business operation considerations including: efficiency, customer satisfaction, competitiveness, minimising risks to operation, ethical principles, making recommendations.
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K7: Fault finding and diagnostic methods and techniques. Components and systems operation, and adjustment and replacement decisions.
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K8: Principles of manual and mechanical handling: load management, lifting, handling, hoisting, and rigging methods.
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K9: Mechanical forces present. How to safely contain and secure.
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K10: Mechanical principles: SI units for mechanical measurements, impact on materials and the modes of failure in engineering systems, mechanical, fluid power transmission systems. The effects of static and dynamic loading.
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K11: Electrical principles: SI units for electrical measurements: three phase and single phase distribution systems, properties and applications of conductors and insulators, AC and DC theory covering voltage, current, resistance and capacitance, magnetism and the function of electromagnets, AC and DC motors.
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K12: Tools, mechanical measuring devices and alignment equipment: function, use and calibration.
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K13: Analogue and digital control systems. Operation, installation and maintenance.
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K14: Standards and regulations relating to meeting the needs of vulnerable people: access, evacuation, fire and emergency use, relevance to the occupation and their responsibilities.
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K15: Electrical measuring equipment and diagnostic tools: use and function.
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K16: Principles for continued professional development (CPD) for maintaining and improving competence.
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K17: Limits of own competence and where to seek help.
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K18: How to plan the unloading and storage of materials.
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K19: Verbal communication techniques. Giving and receiving information. Matching style to audience. Barriers in communication and how to overcome them. Engineering terminology.
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K20: Documentation: methods and requirements - electronic and paper.
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K21: Non-verbal communication techniques: gestures, facial expressions, tone of voice, eye contact, body language.
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K22: Equality Act. Equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace. Unconscious bias.
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K23: Information technology and digital requirements: digital interfaces, email, Management Information Systems (MIS), virtual communication, learning platforms, work collaboration platforms, General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), cyber security, technological development, and innovation in the engineering sector.
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K24: The lift, escalator and moving walks industry: types of organisations, types of products, supply chain. customers and their requirements, impacts on product demand, different teams and functions involved in operations.
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K25: Work area: set up, maintenance and restoring.
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K26: Team working principles.
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K27: Planning, prioritising and work and time management techniques.
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K28: Continuous improvement tools and techniques: Lean, Six Sigma, PDCA.
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K29: Option 1.Manufature's guidelines and British Standard (BS) BS 7255 code of practice for safe working on lifts: relevance of standard, refuge spaces in lift machinery areas and lift wells.
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K30: Option 1. The Lift Regulations, BS EN 81 series and BS 8486: relevance of regulations.
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K31: Option 1. Load bearing components in lift installations.
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K32: Option 1. Principles of measuring and setting out lift equipment.
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K33: Option 1. Lift doors and entrances: requirements for alignment, operation and installation including resisting the spread of fire.
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K34: Option 1. Means of suspension, and construction and termination requirements.
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K35: Option 1. Buffer and safety gear systems, types, construction and operational requirements.
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K36: Option 1. Hydraulic equipment installation requirements: pipework, cylinders, safety components, valves, pumps, and tanks.
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K37: Option 1. Principles and procedures of putting lifts into service and confirming correct operation of lift systems and components.
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K38: Option 1. Principles and procedures of taking lifts out of service for access.
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K39: Option 1. Principles and procedures of accessing and egressing lift pit and top of car spaces.
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K40: Option 2. Manufacture's guidelines and British Safety Standard BS 7801 code of practice for safe working on escalators and moving walks: relevance of standard.
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K41: Option 2. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, BS EN 115 series and BS 5656: relevance of regulations.
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K42: Option 2. Load bearing components in an escalator or moving walk installation.
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K43: Option 2. Measurement, setting out and adjustment used in a whole installation.
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K44: Option 2. Step, pallet and skirting clearances.
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K45: Option 2. Principles and procedures of putting escalator or moving walks into service and confirming correct operation of escalator or moving walk installations and components.
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K46: Option 2. Principles and procedures of taking escalators or moving walks out of service for access.
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K47: Option 2. Principles and procedures of accessing and egressing escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
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K48: Option 3. Manufacture's guidelines and British Standard (BS) BS 7255 code of practice for safe working on lifts: relevance of standard, refuge spaces in lift machinery areas and lift wells.
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K49: Option 3: The Lift Regulations, BS EN 81 series: relevance of regulations.
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K50: Option 3. Load bearing components in a lift.
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K51: Option 3. Door and lock clearances and settings: maintenance of parts, part or whole lift door removal and the implications for resisting the spread of fire.
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K52: Option 3. Lubricants, hydraulic fluids, and cleaning substances.
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K53: Option 3. Maintenance requirements of suspension systems, correct over-run, termination requirements and discard criteria.
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K54: Option 3. Hydraulic principles and the movement of masses: fluids, pumps, valve blocks, pistons, and pipework.
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K55: Option 3. Maintenance practices and techniques: planned, predictive and reactive methods, and their frequency.
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K56: Option 3. Principles and procedures of taking lifts out of service for access.
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K57: Option 3. Principles and procedures of accessing and egressing lift pit and top of car spaces.
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K58: Option 3. Principles and procedures of putting lifts into service and confirming correct operation of lift systems and components.
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K59: Option 4. Manufacture's guidelines and British Safety Standard BS 7801 code of practice for safe working on escalators and moving walks: relevance of standard.
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K60: Option 4. The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations, BS EN 115 series and BS 5656: relevance of regulations.
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K61: Option 4. Load bearing components making up an escalator or moving walk installation.
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K62: Option 4. Step and pallet clearances and discard criteria.
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K63: Option 4. Oil and lubricant types, cleaning substances and applications.
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K64: Option 4. Maintenance practices and techniques: planned, predictive and reactive methods, and their frequency.
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K65: Option 4. Principles and of checking and setting up safety systems.
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K66: Option 4. Principles of checking, adjusting and repairing tensioning systems.
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K67: Option 4. Principles and procedures of taking escalators or moving walks out of service for access.
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K68: Option 4. Principles and procedures of accessing and egressing escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
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K69: Option 4. Principles and procedures of putting escalator or moving walks into service and confirming correct operation of escalator or moving walk installations and components.
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S1: Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and industry guidance, for example method statements and risk assessments.
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S2: Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and organisational procedures for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
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S3: Use tools, alignment equipment and measuring devices, completing calibration checks where required.
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S4: Lift and handle systems and components using mechanical or manual methods.
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S5: Apply principle and techniques to access digital and analogue control and drive systems.
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S6: Fault find and diagnose issues using electrical measuring equipment such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
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S7: Interpret and use engineering documentation such as electrical wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, construction drawings and general arrangement drawings.
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S8: Identify, organise, and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security, and environmental impact.
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S9: Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
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S10: Comply with information contained in site notices and instructions.
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S11: Prepare, maintain and restore the work area on completion of the activity.
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S12: Record and enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment maintenance records, test results, handover documents, on-site checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
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S13: Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion procedures.
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S14: Apply team working principles.
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S15: Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
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S16: Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
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S17: Option 1. Apply the required procedures when working in a traction lift environment.
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S18: Option 1. Apply techniques and principles of measuring and setting out lift equipment.
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S19: Option 1. carry out installation of lift suspension systems.
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S20: Option 1. Carry out installation of lift machines, overspeed protection devices and control systems.
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S21: Option 1.Carry out installation of lift doors, entrances, and associated equipment.
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S22: Option 1. Appy procedures to put the lift into service and confirm correct operation associated with lift systems.
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S23: Option 1. Comply with procedures to access and egress to lift pit and top of car spaces.
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S24: Option 1. Apply procedures to take the lift out of service in preparation for access.
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S25: Option 2. Apply the required procedures when working in an escalator or moving walk environment.
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S26: Option 2. Carry out installation of escalator and moving walk equipment for example truss, steps, pallets, handrail, chains, step band and safety sensors.
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S27: Option 2. Apply techniques and principles of measuring and setting out escalator or moving walk equipment.
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S28: Option 2. Appy procedures to put the escalator or moving walk into service and confirm correct operation associated with escalator or moving walk systems.
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S29: Option 2. Apply procedures to take the escalator or moving walk out of service in preparation for access.
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S30: Option 2. Comply with procedures to access and egress escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
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S31: Option 3. Apply the required procedures when working in a traction lift environment.
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S32: Option 3. Check lift positioning systems are working to specification.
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S33: Option 3. Check, replace and setup lift door systems and clearances and check door closing protection.
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S34: Option 3. Check lift travel requirements such as the correct set up of lift travel over-runs.
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S35: Option 3. Inspect and verify the compliance of suspension systems. Determine when replacement is necessary.
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S36: Option 3. Conduct planned and reactive lift maintenance.
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S37: Option 3. Apply procedures to take the lift out of service in preparation for access.
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S38: Option 3. Appy procedures to put the lift into service and confirm correct operation associated with lift systems.
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S39: Option 3. Comply with procedures to access and egress lift pit and top of car spaces.
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S40: Option 4. Apply the required procedures when working in an escalator or moving walk environment.
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S41: Option 4. Carry out removal and replacement of escalator or moving walk parts for example steps, pallets, chains, handrails and adjust for optimal performance.
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S42: Option 4. Check and set up safety systems for example comb plates, handrail entry devices, step sag switches, step and pallet sensors and handrail sensors, ensuring they operate to specification.
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S43: Option 4. Check, adjust and repair tensioning systems for example handrail tension, main drive chain tension, step chain tension. Split, remove and replace chains.
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S44: Option 4. Conduct planned and reactive escalator or moving walk maintenance.
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S45: Option 4. Apply procedures to take the escalator or moving walk out of service in preparation for access.
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S46: Option 4. Comply with procedures to access and egress escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
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S47: Option 4. Appy procedures to put the escalator or moving walk into service and confirm correct operation associated with escalator or moving walk systems.
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B1: Put health and safety first for themselves and others.
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B2: Act in a professional manner.
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B3: Collaborate and promote teamwork across disciplines.
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B4: Acts within limits of own competence and seeks assistance when necessary.
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B5: Respond and adapt to work demands and situations.
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B6: Take personal responsibility for their own sustainable working practices.
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B7: Supportive of the needs and concerns of others, for example relating to diversity and inclusion.
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English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules.
This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:
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