Click Here to download ERS-2012-01-04 #282

Happy New Year every one. Let’s hope that 2012 proves to be a safer one when it comes to vertical transportation equipment and fewer and fewer accident articles are covered relating to accidents on this program. 2011 had some of the worst accidents in one year, most of which happened in December. And as if both accidents in California and New York weren’t enough another fatality occurred in Texas just last week. I’m not sure there’s a better time for each of us to step up our game in order to make sure these types of accidents don’t occur ever again.  The recent accidents seem to provide evidence that our industry is not headed down the right path. Does lack of training on all fronts appear to be catching up to us? Are we going to accept the same excuses of budgetary constraints as reasons why elevators are not inspected and safe? Are we going to continue to cut each other’s throats on maintenance contracts or not perform maintenance at all? I’d like to ask the unpopular question; if this is where we are at right now, where will we be 10 years from now. This is only the beginning…..

News/Article Links:
Escalator in Columbia sets world record
Boy in fatally injured on elevator
Mitsubishi will have fastest elevator
Cool vintage elevator photo
Lawsuit filed in Manhattan Accident
Woman Dies in Elevator Accident – TX
Parents want law changed after disabled son dropped on escalator
Inside look of a British Cold war bunker
Man dies after three story fall from escalator
Man freed after being trapped in times building elevator
Focus on elevator and escalator safety
No CEA Meeting in January
Firefighters breach wall in NYC Elevator rescue
EW Unplugged Photo the Week
Interesting NY 1910 Stats
Scary Tweet
KONE Strengthens Environmental Leadership
Dupont Circle South Escalators to Close for part of 2012
City of Chicago ProjectDox
EIGSC December Shaft
Elevator Enthusiast finds hobby has Ups and Downs
Elevator through aquarium
Update Mechanic indicted
Capital Employee Garage Austin
Replacing a worn elevator emulator

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Click Here to download ERS-2011-12-28 #281

Last show of the year and I’m ready to put this one behind us. Next week I’ll do my best to put a recap of 2011 together, it’s always something that sounds like a great idea, however when the time comes to actually doing it, it’s quite a daunting task to complete. Thanks to all of you who sent in e-mails regarding the elevator accident in NY and in CA. While most of you wanted to remain anonymous, it’s refreshing to see that there are others who are concerned and who are also true elevator advocates.  It’s another prize pack give away and the last one of the year.

Special thanks to the companies who have donated goodies to it!

Fujitec America, GAL, The National Association of Elevator Contractors, The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Peelle, C.J. Anderson, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorGear.com, ElevatorShack.com, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, Elevator Cab Renovations, The Elevator Preservation Blog, ECS Corporation, Parts Specialists, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Elevator History Museum, Code Data Plate.com and  Certified Conveyance Training Corp.

News/Article Links:
CA Elevator investigation continues
10 Tragic Elevator accidents
Very cool vertical elevator
Elevator camera shows girl before jump
Tips for elevator mechanics, elevator grafitti
Escalator repairs could mean longer walks at Sea-Tac
Exposed elevator shaftway
Scared of elevators before?
NY Accident, Premises Liability
Santa takes the escalator
Hmmm, $200,000 to nowhere
Site of fatal elevator mishap set to re-open
Elevator electrical work under review
Attorney comments on workman charged in case
Car Switch Video
Esca-Stairs
Giant escalator installed in Colombian city
Mitsubishi Electric to strengthen overseas elevator business
As stated last week, there’s a place for people like this
Otis Elevator at Ocean City, MD
New elevator and bathrooms slated for Beverly City Hall
Despite Recent Fatalities are elevators safe?

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Click Here to download ERS-2011-12-20 #280

It’s hard to believe that two terrible elevator accidents happened on the opposite ends of the country, yet the reason for why each occurred will most likely be connected to the same underlying issues.  Never before have I been scared of riding in an elevator, however the accident in New York makes me think twice about doing so.  It seems that whenever accidents like these happen many of us turn our heads and don’t want to say anything while others take a step forward, identifying the issues and making improvements to ensure accidents like this don’t happen in the future. Make the choice to step forward, make a difference, discuss with your coworkers and make improvements that protect everyone who ride and work with elevators and escalators.

News/Article Links:

Concerned Elevator Consultant Speaks Out 2007
Elevator Kills Woman in New York
Complete Video Coverage of Accident in NY
Gothamist Covers Carrajat
Elevator Horror Stories in one nice little article
NY Times Covers Accident
More Light Shed on other accidents
Insight into accident
Unsafe elevation
Failure to maintain elevators
NY Elevator repairman charged with maiming woman
Are elevators really hazardous to your health
Long Beach Elevator Accident Details, investigation continues
Man Suspected of lighting woman on fire in elevator
New product for hydraulic elevators
No one ever bought anything on an elevator?
Elevator Mechanic rises up to call of duty
NEII® Responds to Elevator Safety
Elevating to new Heights. TV Tower Pics
Rekindled interest in elevator safety bill
MCE Tape Reader Fault
Elevator Man Stories Kindle Edition Released
NEII® online Accident Document Source
HUD looks into elevator problems at Thousand Oaks

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Fox news was the first to air a special segment on the elevator accident in NY. The video embed of it below features Pat Carrajat  who does a pretty good job explaining what might have happened working from his own experience. Keep in mind that the investigation continues and authorities will soon have the information they need to make the proper determination as to what happened.

Elevator Accident: Work Just Completed: MyFoxNY.com