Trapped in a lift? Keep calm...
Users should look for the alarm button on the lift’s control panel. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
The trauma of a family of five who were trapped in a lift for more than three hours at the St Vincent de Paul home for the elderly last week seems to have pushed the anxiety button in frequent lift-users.
“I have always been anxious about using lifts, but after I read about that incident, I can’t bring myself to use one,” said Alexia Farrugia, 32, from Rabat.
The Malta Lift Association has since issued guidelines as to what lift users ought to do in the unlikely event they get stuck.
“A lift stops because of its safety mechanism, so remind yourself that you are safe until rescue personnel arrive and help you out,” said Michael Vella, MLA general secretary.
Forcing the lift doors open is a bad idea, despite being the first thing that springs to mind.
“This can complicate and prolong the rescue process,” said Mr Vella. It is also crucial that no one attempts to climb out of the lift – either through the doors or the roof. “This can result in serious injury or death,” he added.
Ideally, lift users should make a habit of looking out for the alarm button on the lift’s control panel whenever they enter one.
“Knowing where to find it if you need it will help you to remain calm and reach out to sound the alarm immediately.”
Upon pressing the alarm button, a two-way intercom is activated enabling the stuck person to communicate with the building’s administrator. If this is unavailable, then the association suggests using a mobile phone to call Emergency Line 112.
“Speak calmly and clearly when explaining that you are stuck in a lift and state the name and address of the building,” he said, adding that it is imperative to follow the rescue personnel’s instructions.
A crowded lift can feel airless “even though it is not” and breathing slowly and deeply will help you keep calm.
“The more you panic, the more breathless you feel,” Mr Vella said.
It is believed that the accident at St Vincent de Paul Residence happened because the lift was overloaded.
Although it indicated a maximum number of five people, the Bezzina family surpassed the maximum weight of 400kg.
Several readers wrote in concerned that the overloaded lift should not have moved.
“A lift fitted with a load-weighing device should not move if it is overloaded,” said Mr Vella, explaining the lift’s automated doors would reopen after the floor button is pushed, allowing passengers to exit safely.
However load-weighing devices only became compulsory in new passenger lift installations from July 2002. The elderly home’s lift was installed in 2001.
Mr Vella said load-weighing devices, along with other safety modifications, are now mandatory in all passenger lifts and can be fitted retroactively to bring them in line with current safety standards.
Around 8,000 lifts in Malta are deemed “potentially unsafe” because they are unregistered, uncertified and not regularly inspected, said association president Lorna Mifsud Cachia. “Unregistered lifts are more likely to be risky,” he said.
All lifts have to be registered with the Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority for a one-time fee of €10.
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20 Comments
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Corinne Vella
Nov 2nd 2012, 20:12
f/MLA www.mla.org.mt
For info on lift safety requirements] contact Malta Lift Association E mla@go.net.mt.
To report lift safety problems, contact the lift owner & copy the report to
Occupational Health and Safety Authority (workplace lifts)
OR
Malta Competition and Consumer Affairs Authority (lifts in residential buildings) Email subj. line: Attn. Technical Affairs Division.
Gillian Snook
Oct 16th 2012, 16:34
Only someone who has never suffered with claustrophobia could come up with the quote "remind yourself that you are safe until rescue personnel arrive".
Of course that is logical thought however more than 3 hours in an overcrowded lift in hot weather would probably test most people. Perhaps giving advice on breathing control or meditation would be of more benefit.
Peter Murray
Oct 16th 2012, 16:05
Dear Corinne Vella,
That is the problem as no one or any entity is ever responsible nor will assume such for enforcement of regulations and they all play the sloping shoulder game and how will mere lift "registration" solve matters?Load -weighing devices is the current REGULATION applicable in ALL lifts -so what happened in this incident,who is investigating and how will the public know?
Corinne Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 23:43
f/MLA www.mla.org.mt
Regulations establish the responsibilities of lift owners and users, and provide them with the means of assuring their rights. Reports to the relevant authorities are complementary to that process.
It should be noted that the MLA is not responsible for general enforcement of regulations and does not comment on individual cases.
John Cassar
Oct 16th 2012, 14:02
Mr. Michael Vella should be ashamed to state , I quote ' if the alarm button is not available '. Since when t he Malta Standards Department allows the importation of lifts of mediocre quality and without such an important safety feature.
Secondly what is the Government doing about the 8000 lifts which are not registered and thus not being certified as having been inspected for their safety.
John Cassar
Oct 16th 2012, 14:02
Mr. Michael Vella should be ashamed to state , I quote ' if the alarm button is not available '. Since when t he Malta Standards Department allows the importation of lifts of mediocre quality and without such an important safety feature.
Secondly what is the Government doing about the 8000 lifts which are not registered and thus not being certified as having been inspected for their safety.
Corinne Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 23:37
f/MLA www.mla.org.mt
MLA member companies operate strictly in conformity with the relevant regulations. Alarm buttons are an integral part of any passenger lift they supply. As of 1 July 2002, lift regulation is the responsibility of lift installers and should be effected before the lift is put to use. Registration of a lift put to use before 1 July 2002 is the responsibility of the lift owner.
Paul Camilleri
Oct 16th 2012, 13:27
" Around 8,000 lifts in Malta are deemed “potentially unsafe” because they are unregistered, uncertified and not regularly inspected, said association president Lorna Mifsud Cachia." And what is she doing to regularise this dangerous situation as president of the Lifts Association?????
Corinne Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 14:56
Posted obo MLA
The MLA provides information about lift safety, certification and related concerns. It is not responsible for the enforcement of regulations.
Registration of lifts put to use up to 30 June 2002 is the responsibility of the condominium administrator or, in default, the lift owner/s.
Lifts put to use from 1 July 2002 onwards should be registered by the installer.
Peter Shaw
Oct 16th 2012, 12:31
Keep calm!! Easier said then done.
Franco Farrugia
Oct 16th 2012, 11:42
Quote: 'A lift fitted with a load-weighing device should not move if it is overloaded,” said Mr Vella,'
Correction: Lifts abroad, sensing extra weight, will not even close their doors!
Corinne Vella
Oct 17th 2012, 00:04
f/MLA www.mla.org.mt
Malta's lift regulations transpose EU directives on lift safety which apply across the EU. This means that Malta's regulatory standards are in line with EU standards. In the case of lift safety, the relevant reference is EN81.
Corinne Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 10:48
Posted obo Malta Lift Association www.mla.org.mt
As the article points out, a lift fitted with a load-weighing device does not move if it is overloaded. Load-weighing devices, along with other safety modifications, are now mandatory in all passenger lifts. Where necessary, a load-weighing device can be fitted retroactively to bring the lift in line with current safety regulations.
Peter Murray
Oct 16th 2012, 11:18
So was such a device actually fitted in this case and,if so.then why did it fail?Who or what entity is tasked with ensuring that such safety regulations are complied with?
Peter Murray
Oct 16th 2012, 10:20
A lift stops because of its safety mechanism-according to Mr Vella of the MLA.how reassurring is that?I put it to him that the lift should not start if fitted with a safety mechanism if overloaded.-as per legal requirements.
Simon Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 11:45
I think you didn't read the whole article or did not understand what it states! Overload devices are mandatory on lifts installed in 2002. The one in question was installed before.
John Cassar
Oct 16th 2012, 14:07
Of all places , lifts in hospitals caring for the elderly should be double-checked every week. I wonder if this is being done at SVP.
The Parliamentary Secretary should reassure the general public that lifts in hospitals and other rehabilitation complexes are in excellent working order and that they have all the safety mechanisms in place.
Peter Murray
Oct 16th 2012, 16:10
Dear Simon Vella ,
Please get your facts right before submitting a comment and read what was said.Load weighing devices are " now mandatory" in ALL passenger lifts and has been the case since 2007(although this latter information in relation as to the year this was made a legal requirement was inexplicably omitted)
Corinne Vella
Oct 16th 2012, 19:36
Posted obo MLA www.mla.org.mt
It should be noted that the deadlines for bringing individual lifts into line with current regulations vary from case to case. This includes the retroactive fitting of load-weighing devices.
Simon Vella
Oct 17th 2012, 08:39
That's what I did not like you. Lifts are classified as new and existing, the new ones are up to the latest regulations, the latter have to be upgraded within a time frame. The overload device is one of these required upgrades. Should you need further information the best option is to contact MCCAA of MLA and they will guide accordingly.
Please choose the reason of your report below: