Ingenieur Vol.81 January-March 2020 | Page 43

specifically to breakdowns, maladjustments and maintenance of the lift machinery. The approved lift model is imported from overseas and installed by a registered lift company. The machines were supplied, installed, commissioned by a registered lift VTS company, and are inspected, examined and repaired by the installer’s service and maintenance workers. To avoid future serious incidents, registered lift companies must be required to have an adequate number of trained, skilled and competent workers and qualified engineers to undertake the jobs. It is systemic technical problems that regulators, owners, and the vertical transportation industry have to manage together with proper mitigation measures put in place. Way Forward The following measures need to be taken to address the problems besetting the local lift (VTS) industry sector: Regulatory Authorities The various authorities responsible should jointly streamline and modernise the existing laws and inspection regime for VTS to keep pace with the latest technological changes and development. If feasible, the authorities should examine the possibility of rationalising the VTS enforcement and inspection regime and placing them under the responsibility of the Ministry of Housing and Local Government as they are in France and the Netherlands. A policy mandate overhaul should be made to overcome the lift inspection backlog by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) that has been in existence for many years. There is a crucial need for lift inspection to be outsourced to independent inspection parties as is the case in Singapore to solve the lack of manpower. Under this inspection model, Professional Engineers conduct the statutory lift inspection before the issuance of the certificate of fitness by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). This would be a better option than having the inspection regime on lifts and escalators being undertaken by concessionaire holders appointed by the Government. Lift machines that are in operation but have not been inspected by the regulator on expiry of the certificates of fitness can pose a hazard, risk and danger to the public. Thus the non-resolution of the lift inspection backlog is untenable. Strictly enforcing the existing laws on recalcitrant owners and registered VTS companies and their competent persons by the authority is essential. Strong and punitive action should be taken against any owner or registered lift company that flagrantly flouts the laws and licensing conditions. Where public safety is concerned, no favour should be shown to any party that commits an infraction. Building Owners Building owners of VTS need to take ownership to ensure the machines that are in operation within their premises comply with the laws to ensure that they are properly maintained, and are safe and efficient. Every reasonable effort also has to be made by the owner or his representative to ensure that the servicing, inspection and examination and maintenance of the machines by their appointed lift registered company are regular and properly completed. Proper inspection and examination records for the machinery must be properly maintained for the examination by the relevant authority’s officers when requested. Registered Lift (VTS) Companies Accountability and responsibility shouldered by registered lift companies and their lift competent persons needs to be enhanced and enforced fully to ensure that they undertake the work diligently, professionally and in accordance with the existing laws, and high engineering standards. Their sub-contractors need to be similarly qualified and registered with the enforcing and regulatory authority. All of them need to demonstrate to the regulators that they have in their employment the requisite number of trained, skilled and knowledgeable workers, technicians, lift mechanics and lift engineers as detailed in their official submissions. Technical personnel employed by VTS companies should complete their work volumes as laid down by their management and supervisors. 41