The Occupational Health and Safety Authority is launching a consultation process to amend a legal regulation dating back to 1986 (Legal Notice 52 of 1986).

The amendment will give a wider definition of lifting equipment covered by the regulation as well specify tighter time frames for the examination of such equipment by a competent person, thus offering a higher level of health and safety. These regulations are needed since several new types of lifting equipment currently on the market are not covered under the original regulations.

Lifting equipment will now include, among other things, any type of overhead crane, scissor lift, lifting platform and cages, tower basket, vehicle lifting equipment, mobile elevated working platform, fork lift truck, hoists without a cage or platform and guides apart from cranes, crabs, winches, teagles, pulley blocks, transporters, gin wheels and runways already covered by the former legislation. The attachments to such equipment are also now covered.

The proposal specifies that the equipment has to be examined by a competent person every twelve months. However, in the case that such equipment or attachment to it is used to lift persons, this has to be examined every six months.

A copy of the report drawn up by the said competent person has to be sent to the OHSA by the owner or employer within a specific timeframe. Moreover, should the examination show that the equipment or its attachment needs repair works to be carried out for it to be used safely, the person compiling the report should send a copy to the OHSA immediately.

Owners and employers also have an added responsibility in ensuring that any repairs, renewals or alterations to the lifting machine or its attachments as advised by the competent person are in fact effected immediately or within the time frame indicated by the competent person in his/her report or as indicated by the OHSA.

Any person or entity who wishes to make any comments on the proposed amendment is invited to do so by contacting the Occupational Health and Safety Authority at: OHSA, 17 Edgar Ferro Street, Pieta’ MSD 07 or by email at [email protected]

A copy of the legislation together with the proposed amendment (in Maltese and English) can be downloaded from the OHSA’s website: www.ohsa.org.mt

The deadline for submissions is 30 April.