Emergency phones in lifts operating on the 3G network will cease to work from Monday, 28 October 2024, as the telecommunications carriers adapt to new technologies.

3G account holders, including lift operators, have been repeatedly notified by their telecommunications providers about the network closure and their need to upgrade the phones.

Lift phones play a critical role in ensuring safety and communications in buildings, especially during lift malfunctions, monitoring of fire alarms, or medical emergencies.

South Australia has an estimated 5900 lifts in businesses premises, with an unknown number of these operating on the 3G network.

SafeWork SA is writing to registered business and residential lift owners to remind them about the 3G shutdown and their responsibility to ensure the safe operation of lifts.

Lift owners should contact their lift technician to check what network the phone system uses and, if 3G, to take immediate steps to upgrade.

Lifts must be registered with SafeWork SA and inspected every 12 months to ensure they are safe, including having a functioning emergency phone.

SafeWork SA Inspectors, attending sites with lifts, will also remind businesses about the need for working emergency communications.

The telecommunications carriers launched 3G in 2006.

For more information, visit safework.sa.gov.au or call 1300 365 255.