A company, based in Portarlington, who aim to create 60 jobs, held their launch recently.
The launch, attended by Minister Charlie Flanagan; local politicians and business people, heard how lifts are required by law to be inspected every six months, independently from maintenance.
Managing Director of Lift Inspect Elizabeth Orford said: “60 inspectors will be needed to properly service the Irish market.
“The company will soon be seeking people with electrical and/or mechanical engineering qualifications or people with solid experience working with lifts.
“What also makes Ireland unique is there is no register of lifts installed in Ireland and we do not know the exact number of lifts in the Irish market.
“It is a now or never opportunity to start Lift Inspect and to bring the European practices of safety inspections for lifts into the Irish market.”
“We are strongly committed to improving safety levels of lifts and escalators for the Irish public.
“Our inspectors have been trained by Liftinstituut Solutions and are competent to conduct safety inspections to the latest health and safety standards and regulations.
“In our short existence we have experienced the need in the Irish market for safety enhancements and expect to grow rapidly.”
Lift Inspect’s launch heard how two-thirds of lifts in Ireland do not receive the regular examinations they are required to by law.
Marco Waagmeester; CEO of Liftinstituut Holdings; said: “Our mission is to bring security and trust to passengers and manufacturers and were involved in drafting up the original European Standards for Lifts and is the only notified body that can offer worldwide certification for the lift industry.
“Most European countries follow the international ISO17020 standard for inspection bodies which is proven to enhance safety and guarantees independence; impartiality and technical competence. Irish regulations make reference to competent people; which is a vague phrase and could leave room for interpretation.
“The estimated 20;000 lifts in Ireland that do not receive the ‘thorough examination’ as defined by the Article 53; of Safety; Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007; are a clear safety risk. Lift Inspect is an organisation that we are proud to partner with; to uphold the same quality standards.”
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