Engineering ServicesISCO 7412
Lift technician
A lift technician is a person who installs lifts in prepared shafts, inspects and repairs lifts, shafts and their associated electronics, and reports on the condition of a serviced lift to the client. The work runs from a bare shaft with no equipment in it to a lift carrying passengers, and then across its whole service life.
Check yourself in a minute: lift technician
Rate 5 of the 31 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
install lift governor
resolve equipment malfunctions
record test data
troubleshoot
install lift shaft support equipment
About lift technician
During installation, the technician mounts the bracket assembly, fits the lift pump or motor, the ram or the rope and the mechanism, installs hydraulic systems and the lift controller, and connects the electronic components that complete the installation and tie the car to the shaft. Mechanical systems and pneumatics belong to the working knowledge, and so does testing the lift's operation before anyone is allowed to ride in it.
Safety mechanisms are a field of their own. The technician works on the safety gear fitted in lifts, the equipment meant for emergencies, whose operation has to be verified by testing.
Service makes up the longer part of the role. The technician inspects, troubleshoots and repairs, verifies that every check and report is entered in the lift's log, works in an ergonomic way in shafts and machine rooms where there is no comfortable position, and tells the client what condition the lift is in.
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (31)
types of liftstypes of liftsVarious types of lifts, based on their mode of operation, such as hydraulically powered lifts. Various lift operation schemes and configurations.hydraulicshydraulicsThe power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.mechanical systemsmechanical systemsMechanical systems, including gears, engines, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Their functions and likely defects.lift safety mechanismslift safety mechanismsThe various mechanisms to prevent a lift from falling. Lift governor operation and safety brake operation mechanisms.pneumaticspneumaticsThe application of pressurised gas to produce mechanical motion.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.electrical wiring planselectrical wiring plansPictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the...lift safety legislationlift safety legislationLocal legislation on lift safety mechanisms, loading limits, speed limits and installation procedures.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.install lift governorinstall lift governorInstall the lift governor, which controls the movement speed and braking mechanisms of the lift, in the machine room at the top of the shaft. Calibrate the governor and link it up with the motor, cont...work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.record test datarecord test dataRecord data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptiona...troubleshoottroubleshootIdentify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.install lift shaft support equipmentinstall lift shaft support equipmentSecurely install the necessary equipment to guide the movement of a lift in the shaft, and to facilitate maintenance. Attach rails to the sides of the shaft to guide the movement of the car. Install s...guide lift car installationguide lift car installationGuide the process where a crane hoists the lift car to the top of the finished shaft and lowers it along the support rails. Communicate with the crane operator during the car installation to ensure co...inspect construction suppliesinspect construction suppliesCheck construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.install electrical and electronic equipmentinstall electrical and electronic equipmentInstall equipment which is dependent on electric currents or electromagnetic fields in order to work, or equipment to generate, transfer or measure such currents and fields. This equipment includes sw...conduct routine machinery checksconduct routine machinery checksCheck machinery and equipment to ensure reliable performance during use and operations in worksites.secure working areasecure working areaSecure the operation site fixing boundaries, restricting access, placing signs and taking other measures in order to guarantee public and staff safety.install hydraulic systemsinstall hydraulic systemsInstall systems and components that use liquid fluid power to create mechanical movements such as hydraulic pumps, valves, hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders and other elements that power hydraulic...perform maintenance on installed equipmentperform maintenance on installed equipmentPerform the maintenance on installed equipment on-site. Follow procedures to avoid uninstalling equipment from machinery or vehicles.install pneumatic systemsinstall pneumatic systemsInstall systems and components that use pneumatics to create mechanical movements such as air brakes, pneumatic cylinders, air compressors and other systems.follow health and safety procedures in constructionfollow health and safety procedures in constructionApply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.consult technical resourcesconsult technical resourcesRead and interpret technical resources such as digital or paper drawings and adjustment data in order to properly set up a machine or working tool, or to assemble mechanical equipment.provide escalator maintenanceprovide escalator maintenanceEnsure a quick and efficient response to maintain and repair escalators within a building, as requested by the client.use safety equipment in constructionuse safety equipment in constructionUse elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident do...program lift controllerprogram lift controllerConfigure the lift controller to make sure the lift operates correctly and efficiently. Set the desired operating mode for one lift or for lift group operation.install lift controllerinstall lift controllerInstall the lift controller, which processes and transmits lift control signals to the motor, in the machine room at the top of the shaft. Connect it to the hoist motor, a source of electricity, and t...operate soldering equipmentoperate soldering equipmentUse soldering equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, such as a soldering gun, soldering torch, gas-powered iron, and others.test lift operationtest lift operationTest all features of a lift to ensure proper and efficient functioning.
Optional (27) — show
electronicselectronicsThe functioning of electronic circuit boards, processors, chips, and computer hardware and software, including programming and applications.calculate gear ratiocalculate gear ratioDetermine the ratio of the rotational speed of interlocking gears which can be calculated from the number of teeth on the drive and driven gears.perform risk analysisperform risk analysisIdentify and assess factors that may jeopardise the success of a project or threaten the organisation's functioning. Implement procedures to avoid or minimise their impact.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.operate welding equipmentoperate welding equipmentUse welding equipment to melt and join together pieces of metal or steel, wearing protective eyewear during the working process.refurbish facilitiesrefurbish facilitiesRenovate and modernise buildings and equipment which can include technical or decorative improvements such as replace lighting, install new flooring, refresh paint and other modifications.advise on safety improvementsadvise on safety improvementsProvide relevant recommendations following the conclusion of an investigation; ensure that recommendations are duly considered and where appropriate acted upon.assist people trapped in confined spacesassist people trapped in confined spacesAssist people stuck in limited spaces such as lifts or amusement park attractions, explain the situation in a calm manner, give instructions as to the proper reaction and rescue them.rig loadsrig loadsSafely attach loads to different types of hooks and attachments, taking into account the weight of the load, the power available to move it, static and dynamic tolerances of all instruments and materi...work in a construction teamwork in a construction teamWork as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible ma...monitor lift shaft constructionmonitor lift shaft constructionMonitor the construction of the lift shaft in a building. Make sure the shaft is straight and structurally sound to support safe operation of a lift.maintain facility security systemsmaintain facility security systemsEnsure that proper and functional security systems are in place, including alarm systems, fire alarms, sprinklers and emergency exits.calculate needs for construction suppliescalculate needs for construction suppliesTake measurements on site and estimate the amount of materials required for the construction or restoration project.perform ICT troubleshootingperform ICT troubleshootingIdentify problems with servers, desktops, printers, networks, and remote access, and perform actions which solve the problems.estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.replace defect componentsreplace defect componentsRemove defective parts and replace them with functioning components.keep personal administrationkeep personal administrationFile and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.process incoming construction suppliesprocess incoming construction suppliesReceive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.provide customer information related to repairsprovide customer information related to repairsInform customers about necessary repairs or replacements, discuss products, services and costs, include accurate technical information.prepare compliance documentsprepare compliance documentsPrepare documents with legal value which prove that an installation or a facility is conform to the regulations.attach lift motor cablesattach lift motor cablesInstall the electric motor which will hoist the lift up and down in the machine room at the top of the shaft. Securely attach the lift hoist and governor cables to the lift car, its pulleys and the in...apply technical communication skillsapply technical communication skillsExplain technical details to non-technical customers, stakeholders, or any other interested parties in a clear and concise manner.keep records of work progresskeep records of work progressMaintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.guide operation of heavy construction equipmentguide operation of heavy construction equipmentGuide a colleague in operating a piece of heavy construction equipment. Follow the operation closely and understand when feedback is called for. Use communication techniques like voice, two-way radio,...issue sales invoicesissue sales invoicesPrepare the invoice of goods sold or services provided, containing individual prices, the total charge, and the terms. Complete order processing for orders received via telephone, fax and internet and...write records for repairswrite records for repairsWrite records of the repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, of parts and materials used, and other repair facts.follow safety procedures when working at heightsfollow safety procedures when working at heightsTake necessary precautions and follow a set of measures that assess, prevent and tackle risks when working at a high distance from the ground. Prevent endangering people working under these structures...
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
lift installation supervisor15 shared essential skillsheating and ventilation service installer12 shared essential skillsmedical device engineering technician11 shared essential skillsrefrigeration air condition and heat pump technician11 shared essential skillsindustrial machinery mechanic10 shared essential skillspneumatic systems technician9 shared essential skillsbuilding electrician8 shared essential skillsfluid power technician8 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does a lift technician do?
Lift technicians set lifts into a prepared framed hoist-way. They install support assembly, set up the lift pump or motor, piston or cable, and mechanism. Lift technicians connect the necessary electronic elements to complete the installation and connection of the lift cabin. They also perform the necessary steps to inspect and repair lifts, as well as the shaft and any associated electronics. Lift technicians make sure every inspection and report action is noted in a log book, and report to the client on the state of the serviced lift.
What skills does a lift technician need?
A lift technician needs 31 essential skills, including types of lifts, hydraulics, mechanical systems, lift safety mechanisms, pneumatics.
Will AI replace lift technician jobs?
The AI disruption score for lift technician is 35/100 (moderate risk). Skills most exposed to automation: calculate gear ratio, issue sales invoices, record test data. Most resilient: assist people trapped in confined spaces, electricity, install lift governor.
AI Replacement Risk
35/ 100
Moderate Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
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