For those of you who know me, you will realise that now and then I get on my soapbox about something I think is wrong. You won't be disappointed to know that is where I am with this edition's safety column.

On a recent visit to an MRL traction lift, I was surprised to see it being handed over without a counterweight guard in the pit area. Having raised it as an obvious query, the tester greeted me with “that’s OK, we have a dispensation for that”.

I have to say I haven’t actually seen this dispensation yet, but I am told it will be forthcoming. It isn’t a company renowned for its speed of supplying documentation so I thought I would approach the wider industry audience to see if anyone disagrees with me.