Could UK Lifts Be Unsafe?

Most of us step into a lift without giving it a second thought. We check the floor number, maybe glance at the maximum capacity sign, and carry on with our day.

But a growing debate suggests that those small metal signs — many based on decades-old assumptions — could actually be out of date, and in some cases, misleading.

According to industry experts, a rule that dates back to the 1970s may mean some UK lifts are no longer operating as safely as people think.

Every lift displays a simple instruction: how many people can safely ride at once.

That number isn’t random. It’s based on an assumed average passenger weight — historically around 75kg per person.

The issue is that while people have changed, the assumption hasn’t.

Back in the mid-1970s, the average weight in the UK was roughly: 75kg for men, 65kg for women.

Today, those figures are significantly higher — around 86kg for men and 73kg for women.

Yet many lift capacity calculations still rely on outdated averages, meaning the “maximum number of passengers” shown on the sign could unintentionally exceed the lift’s true safe load.

On paper, a lift might say it can carry ten people. But if each person weighs more than the assumed average, the total load can go beyond what the system was designed to handle.

Experts warn this mismatch can lead to increased strain on motors and braking systems, slower journeys or unexpected stoppages, higher risk of mechanical faults over time.

In simple terms, the lift isn’t suddenly “dangerous” — but it may be working harder than intended, especially in busy buildings where it’s used frequently.

In worst-case scenarios, repeated overloading could compromise reliability and safety if not properly managed.

The issue isn’t a single piece of legislation, but rather how long-standing design standards have evolved — or in this case, stopped evolving.

Research shows that lift manufacturers did adjust weight assumptions up until the early 2000s. But after that, the typical assumed weight of 75kg per person remained largely unchanged, even as average body weight continued to rise.

For commercial buildings, offices, and property owners, this isn’t just a technical issue — it’s a risk management question.

Even without accidents, repeated strain can shorten a lift’s lifespan and reduce reliability.

So, Should People Be Worried? Not necessarily.

However, it does raise an important point: even everyday infrastructure can fall behind if standards don’t keep up with real-world changes.

What worked perfectly well decades ago doesn’t always match today’s conditions — whether that’s in construction, transport, or building safety.

And as buildings, vehicles, and technology become more advanced, many of the risks businesses face are no longer obvious — they’re hidden in assumptions, data, or outdated standards.

For UK businesses and property owners, it’s a reminder to review not just compliance, but whether the real-world usage of equipment still matches how it was originally designed.

Because sometimes, the biggest risks aren’t new — they’re the ones we’ve stopped noticing.