Firms fined over lifts

Nine companies were fined a total of Lm1,950 between them by the Criminal Court in separate cases after failing to send in lifts certification to the Occupational Health and Safety Authority every six months, as required by law.

One company was also found guilty of failing to have its fork-lifters examined and certified every 14 months and of not sending the certification to the OHSA as stipulated by law.

A company was also found guilty of not reporting an accident to the OHSA and of not ensuring the health and safety of employees.

The OHSA said employers who have lifts permanently installed for carrying workers or loads are obliged by law to send in a certification document to the authority every six months.

Every lift has to be examined by a competent person with a warrant to practise as an engineer in line with the criteria laid down by the Board of Engineers.

This certificate should be a full inspection report, outlining all the findings of the inspection including recommendations for necessary alterations or maintenance needed.

It should also be dated and signed.