Building Maintenance Unit Risk Control White Paper

Vertimax releases white paper on building maintenance unit (BMU) risk control

At Vertimax, we are committed to improving safety standards in the building maintenance industry. In response to recent BMU safety incidents, we have developed a comprehensive white paper outlining essential risk control measures for building maintenance units (BMUs). As an ISO-accredited company, we want to help facility managers and building owners understand how to manage and maintain BMUs safely and in compliance with industry regulations.

Key recommendations

• Regular inspections

  • Pre-operational checks before each use
  • Quarterly and annual maintenance inspections in line with AS 2550.13
  • Ten-year major inspections, including third-party non-destructive testing (NDT)

• Maintaining proper documentation

  • Keeping essential records such as operation manuals, maintenance logs, and safety certifications
  • Registering BMUs with Worksafe authorities

• Operator training and safety

  • Ensuring all operators complete a working at heights training course, renewed every three years
  • Conducting proper inductions and competency assessments before allowing operators to use BMUs
  • Inspecting safety harnesses regularly

• BMU servicing and modernisation

  • Performing quarterly and annual servicing to keep BMUs safe and fully operational
  • Replacing lifting ropes every four years for copper core ropes and every ten years for non-copper core ropes
  • Using original or equivalent parts for all repairs and ensuring all modernisation work follows a strict quality assurance process

By following these guidelines, we can work together to improve safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness in BMU management. We encourage building owners and managers to review their BMU servicing agreements to ensure they meet best practice standards.

Click here to download our Building Maintenance Unit Risk Control White Paper.