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Lift Mechanics design, install, maintain, service and repair electric and
hydraulic passenger and freight lifts (elevators),
escalators, moving walkways and other lift equipment.
They may perform functions such as adjusting and tuning lifts to ensure they
work properly and safely. They work with both electrical and mechanical
components of lift equipment.
Lift mechanics working on installation and modernisation
projects generally work in teams on building construction sites. In these
instances they work closely with building and other specialist tradespeople.
An experienced lift mechanic is able to perform more complex work functions
and tasks, such as adjusting and tuning lifts to make sure they work safely
and efficiently.
ANZSCO ID: 341113
Alternative names: Lift Technician, Lift
Electrician, Lift Engineer
Knowledge, skills and attributes
As a lift mechanic, you would:
- good technical skills
- have an aptitude in mechanical and
electrical reasoning
- be able to work independently or as part
of a team
- able to cope with the physical demands of the job
- normal colour vision
- good interpersonal skills
- the ability to read blueprints and engineering drawings
- an ability to work at heights and in confined spaces
- communication skills
- good health and safety awareness.
(Source:
The Good Universities Guide)
Duties and Tasks
Lift Mechanics may perform the following tasks:
- Examines blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to determine
sequence and methods of operation.
- study drawings and lay out the position of steelwork, guide rails,
motors, pumps and cylinders
- Measures and lays out insulation reference points.
- Selects, cuts and connects wire and cable to terminals and
connectors.
- Uses instruments to trace and diagnose faults.
- Repairs and replaces faulty wiring and defective parts.
- Positions and installs electrical switchboards.
- Connects electrical systems to power supply.
- Tests continuity of circuit.
- Installs, tests and adjusts electric and mechanical parts of lifts.
- study blueprints and drawings to determine the position of building
structures and services
- install lift guide rails and check that they are correctly aligned
- install and repair lift doors, guide rails, cables, counterweights
and drives
- determine the cause of malfunctions in brakes, motors, switches, and
control systems
- adjust counterweights, door mechanisms, and safety controls
- connect all wiring and motors
- install cables, counterweights, pumps, motor foundations, escalator
drives, lift cars, doors, entrance frames, and safety and control
devices
- connect electrical wiring to control panels and electric motors
- test and adjust assemblies, including cables, wiring and electric
controls, and adjust safety devices such as brakes and speed governors
- carry out regular maintenance programmes on lifts and escalators
- use laptop computers in the field for tuning and diagnostic work in
fault finding
- find the causes of faults in motors, brakes, switches and electrical
and electronic control systems
- repair hydraulic or mechanical brakes by adjusting or replacing
valves, ratchets, seals and brake linings
- conduct tests on the finished lift
- ensure installations or repairs comply with all safety regulations
and building codes
- carry out regular maintenance programs on lifts and escalators.
- keep detailed records of all maintenance and repair tasks.
(Source:
SkillsRoad)
Working conditions
As a lift mechanic you would work a standard number of
hours per week. You may need to work on a roster to cover on-call
emergencies. Lift mechanics work for specialist
lift maintenance companies, building services contractors, and government
authorities. Lift mechanics may need to work weekends, on
call or after hours to perform emergency repairs.
They may also spend a great deal of time traveling to various locations.
At times they may be required to work at heights or in
confined spaces, and so need to take appropriate health and safety
precautions. Lift mechanics may be required to install systems in buildings
that are still under construction. They need to ensure they have completed
the necessary safety training required to enter an active building site.
Lift mechanics are required by state and territory
government regulations to wear protective clothing, including a safety
helmet, goggles, gloves, shield, spats and safety shoes or boots.
Tools and technologies
Lift mechanics work with blueprints, wiring diagrams and specifications to
plan the installation of lifting equipment and ensure client needs are met.
They use specialist electronic equipment to test systems and diagnose
faults. When working with electricity and on construction sites lift
mechanics wear and use appropriate personal protective equipment to minimise
health and safety risks. Because they are required to travel between sites,
most lift mechanics need a driver’s licence and use smart phones and tablet
devices to remain in contact with the company’s office
Snowlifts Maintenance
(Source:
SnowBrains)
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a lift mechanic, you must first become a
licensed electrical trades worker. To become an electrician, you usually
need to complete an apprenticeship. You usually
need a certificate III in electrotechnology (electrician or systems
electrician) to work as a Lift Mechanic. These courses are often completed
as part of an apprenticeship. After completing your
apprenticeship, you would need to apply for a licence to perform electrical
work.
The electrical mechanics apprenticeship
usually takes 48 months to complete and is available as a school-based
apprenticeship. Most employers will provide on-the-job training in the
specific technologies and systems they use once you are employed.
Apprenticeships and
traineeships
As an apprentice or trainee, you enter into a formal training contract with
an employer, enabling you to complete training towards a nationally
recognised qualification. You spend time working and learning practical
skills on the job and you spend some time undertaking structured training
with a registered training provider.
You can do an apprenticeship or traineeship if you are a school-leaver,
re-entering the workforce or as an adult or mature-aged person wishing to
change careers. You can even begin your apprenticeship or traineeship while
you're still at school.
If you are still at school you can access an apprenticeship through your
school. Talk to your school's VET Co-ordinator to start your training now
through VET in Schools. If you are no longer at school you can apply for an
apprenticeship or traineeship and get paid while you learn and work.
To work as a lift mechanic in
Australia, you will need to obtain an Electrical Licence. To work as a lift
mechanic within the construction industry, you will need to obtain a
Construction Induction Card (commonly known as a “white card”) from a
registered training organisation authorised by the WorkSafe.
Hydraulic Lift
(Source:
Automotive Training Centres)
Additional Information
Modern lifts are controlled by computers and complex electronic systems. As
a result, there is an increasing need for lift mechanics to have a knowledge
of electronics. After completing your
apprenticeship, you will need to apply for a licence to perform electrical
work.
Employment Opportunities
Lift mechanics are employed by companies that require specialised electrical
and mechanical work to install, maintain, modernise, service and repair
lifts, escalators and moving walkway systems.
Maintenance and repair is an ongoing source of work. Installation jobs
depend on the construction of new buildings.
Job opportunities depend on the level of multistorey construction activity,
changes to building regulations and replacement or repair requirements.
Did You
Know?
When the Australian
Building opened 1893, many Melburnians visited it just to ride in
the lifts, which were made of a complex series of inner and outer
doors that were operated by hand by professionals in uniforms.
The doors for many of these lifts or elevators were fiddly to
operate.
These mostly male operators spent their days sitting on small stools
and making sure passengers got off at the right floor.
BASIC JOB DESCRIPTION: Opening and closing lift or elevator doors by
hand and pushing the right buttons or levers for the required
floors.
Some wore formal uniforms and gloves, much like a butler or
chauffer.
Elevator operators existed in public, private, commercial and retail
buildings right up until around the 1970s, when newer buildings were
created with more effective lifts that only required the push of a
button.
Retailers such as Myer and David Jones held on to lift operators
longer, with DJs stores retaining the position until the 1990s.
(Source:
Herald Sun)
An elevator operator or liftman (in British English, usually lift
attendant) is a person specifically employed to operate a manually
operated elevator.
(Source:
Wikipedia) |
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