The Malta Lift Association includes almost all of Malta’s reputable lift installation companies, which are committed to conform with the regulations on installing and servicing lifts.
Saviour Abela, president of the new association, said: “An unhealthy combination of cut-price developers, irresponsible lift installers and lack of knowledge on the part of property buyers, particularly as to their responsibility for lift safety, has over the years led to the installation in Malta of a very great number of potentially hazardous lifts, and some death traps, which are being used every day by unsuspecting people. We have definite information that, despite the new laws and standards that came into force in 2002, sub-standard and uncertified lifts are still being offered for sale, and are being bought by those who put price before safety and compliance with the law, or by those who may not even know the difference.”
The Malta Lift Association aims to combat the problem of ‘cowboy installers’, which it describes as considerable. “There is a serious discrepancy between the number of lifts imported into Malta and the number of those that are CE-certified,” Mr Abela said. “The non-certified lifts prejudice the safety of those who use them. We estimate that at least one half of lifts installed since the legislation came into force some two years ago are uncertified and potentially unsafe.
“Distressingly, many of these lifts are found in warehouses and other places of work. They are invariably of poor design, built at the least possible cost, are totally bereft of safety devices, and are hazardous to those who use them. Though they are intended for goods only, they are also used by workers, even if only for loading and unloading. The risk of serious injury or death is ever present. It is evident to us that none of these lifts is ever inspected or certified, either initially or on a regular basis. Lift owners must abide by the law. Workers must insist, for their own safety, on being given evidence that the lifts they use are safe. Lifts and hoists must be inspected regularly by accredited engineers.”
The Malta Lift Association has a good working relationship with the Malta Standards Authority, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, and similar organizations in other EU member states. It is bound by its statute to publish at regular intervals a list of its members, and it is empowered to investigate any alleged shortcoming on the part of any one of its members, and to report deficiencies to the enforcement authorities. The association will operate as a reference body for members of the general public, who may seek information on existing safety systems and legislation, or on CE requirements.
The regulations stipulate that all lifts should carry a CE mark, which identifies them as being in conformity with EU standards of manufacture and installation. It is only an independent notified body who can clear a lift installation for CE certification. Notified bodies are engineers who are granted an official number, unique in the European Union, by the international approving organization. “So far, there are only two such persons in Malta, and they are the sole ones who can give CE certification to a lift,” said Mr Abela. “Worryingly, we know of some warranted engineers who are conducting primary certification for lift installations, when they are not permitted to do so. It is only six-monthly safety inspections that can be carried out by a qualified mechanical engineer, and not CE certification. The public should be aware of this.”
The Malta Lift Association may be contacted on 7983 4725 or 9949 8808 or e-mail [email protected].