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Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Safety message from the Office of the Chief Coroner removal of Liko Lift devices


    TORONTO, Nov. 5 /CNW/ - Dr. A. E. Lauwers, Deputy Chief Coroner of
Investigations, today announced that the investigation launched in May 2008
into the death of an individual who died as a result of a fall from a lift
device at Leisureworld Caregiving Centre - O'Connor Gate, has concluded.
    The expert engineer was unable to determine the cause of the failure of
the Liko Model UNO102EE that resulted in the death. During the investigation,
it became apparent that other Liko Model lifts failed at another Leisureworld
site. It was the opinion of the engineer that the Leisureworld staff were
utilizing the lift appropriately in the failure which occurred at O'Connor
Gate. In keeping with its public safety mandate, the Office of the Chief
Coroner is strongly recommending that all Ontario hospitals, long-term care
facilities and other public/private institutions that employ this device, take
them out of service. They should not be placed back into service until the
manufacturer, Liko, determines the cause of the failures and can advise on
corrective measures.
    There are 224 Liko Model UNO102EE lifts in use in Ontario.
    The Office of the Chief Coroner has informed Liko and Health Canada of
the findings of the investigation.

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For further information: Dr. Jim Edwards, Regional Supervising Coroner
for Central Region, Toronto East Office, Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services, (416) 314-4000

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