Around 8,000 lifts in Malta are deemed “potentially unsafe” because they are unregistered, uncertified and not regularly inspected.

Unregistered elevators are more likely to be risky

Malta Lift Association president Lorna Mifsud Cachia said lift installers were legally bound to obey EU standards and laws but some chose to operate outside the system, putting the lives of users at risk.

The association is a reference body for information about lift safety requirements and CE certification, among others.

It issued a statement in the wake of an accident last Sunday, in which a 75-year-old woman fell two stories at her residence due to a faulty lift.

Sources close to the police investigation said a cable appeared to have snapped and the lift was not equipped with a safety mechanism to cushion the impact in the case of a malfunction.

All lifts have to be registered with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority for a one-time fee of €10, said Dr Mifsud Cachia.

An unregistered lift “is more likely to be a safety risk as it is not routinely tested and inspected and is less likely to be well maintained.”

Owners are legally responsible for any accidents caused by non-conformity or poor maintenance.

A certificate of conformity shows the lift has been installed correctly and tested for safety.

Regular preventive inspection ensures safety standards are maintained. In residential buildings, lifts should be inspected annually. In workplaces, inspection should be twice a year.

All members of the association provide quality supply and installation, and reliable maintenance in line with EU standards and regulations, Dr Mifsud Cachia said.

The association is self-regulating. Suppliers who do not meet the required standards are not admitted.