ISO 14798:2009

Overview - ISO 14798:2009 (Risk assessment for lifts, escalators and moving walks)

ISO 14798:2009 specifies a systematic risk assessment and reduction methodology for lifts (elevators), escalators and moving walks. It defines general principles, a step‑by‑step risk analysis procedure and a risk‑evaluation loop that supports decision‑making on safety during the design, construction, installation, operation, testing, inspection and servicing of lift equipment and components. The standard is primarily qualitative but allows quantitative aids and iterative review to achieve acceptable residual risk.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope and concepts: Clear definitions of hazard, hazardous situation, harm, cause, effect, scenario, severity, probability, risk, residual risk and protective measures.
• Structured procedure: An eight‑step risk analysis process covering:
  • Determining the reason for assessment
  • Forming a multidisciplinary risk assessment team (including role and duties of the team moderator)
  • Defining the subject and life‑cycle boundaries
  • Identifying hazardous scenarios (hazard, cause, effect)
  • Estimating and evaluating risk
  • Determining sufficiency of mitigation and selecting protective measures
  • Documenting results
• Team-based assessment: Emphasis on diverse expertise (design, installation, servicing, safety) to reduce bias and increase realism of judgements.
• Documentation and templates: Annexes provide a risk assessment template, hazard references, severity/probability guidance, and worked examples to support consistent records and traceability.
• Safety philosophy: Safety as “freedom from unacceptable risk” and an iterative process of assessment and risk reduction compatible with practicality, cost and societal conventions.
• Applicability beyond personal injury: While examples focus on harm to persons, the methodology is equally applicable to property and environmental risk.

Practical applications

• Use during product development to identify and mitigate hazards in lift components and systems.
• Input to service and maintenance procedures to reduce operational risks for technicians and users.
• Basis for writing or reviewing technical specifications, compliance verification procedures, and regulations related to elevator/escalator safety.
• Adoption by safety assessors when there are no specific standards for a new design or technology.

Who should use ISO 14798:2009

• Lift designers and manufacturers
• Installation and maintenance contractors
• Safety engineers and compliance officers
• Standards developers and regulatory authorities
• Facility managers and asset owners responsible for lift safety

Related standards

ISO 14798:2009 is produced by ISO/TC 178 (Lifts, escalators and moving walks) and complements other ISO/IEC safety guidance (e.g., ISO/IEC Guide 51 principles). It supersedes ISO/TS 14798:2006 and is intended to be used alongside product‑specific lift standards and local regulations.