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Elevating devices will now require permits, regular inspections

By: Staff Writer

Thursday, Sep. 20, 2012 at 12:06 PM | Comments: 0

JEFF DE BOOY / THE WINNIPEG FREE PRESS ARCHIVES Enlarge Image

Wheelchair elevators such as this one at Red River College will now be subject to permits and regular inspections.

Manitoba will now require that elevating devices for people with physical disabilities be inspected regularly and carry a valid permit.

The new rule means such devices will be treated the same way as elevators. The new inspection requirement does not extend to lifts in private homes.

Jennifer Howard, the minister responsible for persons with disabilities, made the announcement today.

"The safety and security of all Manitobans is important to our government. We want to be sure any kind of lifting device is working properly and has been carefully inspected," said Howard. "A person can be injured if something goes wrong regardless of whether the lift is a few feet or a few stories off the ground."

The new regulation requires:

drawings and specifications be approved before an elevator is installed,
initial inspections be conducted prior to a permit being issued and an elevator put into service, and
periodic re-inspections and permit renewals based on the age and condition of the equipment be conducted.

In addition to the new rules for inspections, the province will increase permit and approval fees by about 10 per cent, the minister said, noting this is the first fee increase since 2005.

The new fees will help offset the additional workload of elevator inspectors from Inspection and Technical Services Manitoba, which is part of the Office of the Fire Commissioner (OFC).

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