Lift accidents taken seriously

Under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management (Lift And Building Maintenance) Regulations, building owners are required to appoint authorised examiners, who are professional engineers, to inspect and check lifts annually ("Any steps taken to ensure lift safety?" by Ms Fera Wirawan; Thursday).

Owners are also required to engage registered lift contractors to maintain the lifts.

The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) issued a notice to suspend the operation of the lift at Regency House and commenced investigations immediately upon being notified of the accident.

The owner was also instructed to appoint an authorised examiner to provide a report on the cause of the incident and recommendations to rectify the lift.

The BCA regards such incidents seriously and will not rescind the notice to suspend the lift until all appropriate measures have been taken to ensure its safe use.

We are currently reviewing the regulatory regime for lifts. One area we are looking at is the reporting of lift incidents.

Over the last few months, we have held consultations with the industry and are working to effect the changes.

We wish Ms Wirawan a speedy recovery.

Hashim Mansoor
Director, Building Plan and Management Group
Building and Construction Authority

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