Click Here to download ERS-2012-01-18 #283

I’m back after a short trip to Louisville, KY which I enjoyed a great deal. But it’s catch up time not only at work but on the show as well.  There are quite a few good articles on the program today as I cover two weeks worth of content. As Winter descends upon us here in the Midwest with our first snowfall of the year I’m looking forward to Spring and am counting the days. Thanks for tuning into the show today everyone.  Stay warm and be safe out there.

News/Article Links:
Woman Dies when she rides elevator up to fire floor
Chicago Officials deny old elevator for death of woman
Fire death blamed on multiple items
Preparing for the next fire
Numerous problems with elevator where NY Woman died
More on accident above
Toddler found dangling in Dandenong lift shaft
Broken Metro Elevator Blogger lashes out
Scary elevator death could have been stopped
Elevator repairman cut to pieces in Sharajah lift
UK: Girl looses part of finger to escalator
Giants Stadium escalator trial to resume
Crockett Hotel Sued after fatal elevator accident
ESCO Hydraulic Elevator Video
EIGSC New President’s Message
Old Elevator Dumbwaiter
Escalator Meltdown in Midtown
Escalator company settles, case proceeds against NJ SA
Antique Haughton elevator car hand switch
EW Unplugged Photo of the Week
Delaware Traction elevator at Harrington Towers
Man found in bottom of elevator shaft
Why is this story covered online?
Signs prove effective in prompting people to use stairs
Elevator crippling
Elevator costs raise councils ire
Tenants fret after man falls to death in elevator shaft
Interesting Ad
MTA’s $57M Elevator Plan Makes Enemies
State has $1 Million plan for overdue elevator safety inspections
City reassures nervous workforce after elevator tragedy
Remembering Dr. King

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The reality of the hazardous work that elevator mechanics are involved with every day is very serious and should not be taken lightly.  Not the kind of start to a work week that any of us want to read about make certain that you make safety your number one priority each and every day!  I sometimes talk directly with mechanics in my day job involving technical support and each and every time I end my conversation with, “Be Safe Out There”! Most of the time mechanics chuckle on the other end of the phone but I truly mean it. I think that in many cases they have become complacent with the work they do and used to the dangers. We all need to remember the first month we spent in the field. Being scared of heights, electricity, doing the wrong thing and holding on to dear life while riding up on top of the elevator.

After reading the linked article you’ll have a pit in your stomach and pray that something like this never happens to you or anyone of your mechanics. Some useful safety resources in case your not sure where to turn.

Safety Training For Mechanics, Supervisors, Managers - There’s never enough training you can receive on workplace safety. Just because you’ve been trained once on a particular topic doesn’t mean you’ll remember it forever. Don’t pass the buck on training, even if you feel it’s some one else’s responsibility.  It’s all of our responsibility! Don’t have time to set up a program? Contact Robert Krieger at Certified Conveyance Training Corporation.  Safety Training is what he specializes in and his technical background support this. Contact Bob and make safety training an ongoing priority each year in your company. http://www.cctc.name/

ElevatorBooks.com - Another great resource can be found at the ElevatorBooks.com website.  There are some great valuable resources there which should be used in conjunction with in person safety training by a professional instructor.  Elevator World has been promoting workplace safety as long as they’ve been publishing. If you haven’t updated your safety material for your company lately make sure you do so today.

I learn much better when someone is teaching me and not by reading. Make safety a priority today and let’s make sure accidents like this don’t happen in the future.

Click Here to download ERS-2011-08-24 #266

It’s hard to believe that it’s only two and a half weeks away from the NAEC Convention in New Orleans. Something about waiting until the last minute to finalize all the details get’s the excitement level up. I’m looking forward to it and to seeing many of you who are planning on attending. For those motorcycle/elevator enthusiasts out there, a new group has formed, Elevator Riders Riding Club to satisfy both of your interests. The best part about this club is that they ride to support the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation. They will be holding a 50/50 split the pot Poker Run at during the convention. More details in the link below.

News/Article Links:
Elevator Riders Riding Club is Open
Win Money 50/50 Poker Run NAEC Convention
Fort Myers Courthouse Renovation starts Monday
Museum founder wants to save ’64 Worlds Fair elevator
Mall sued after child’s hand stuck in escalator
Governor appoints Muskegon man to elevator safety board
Space Elevator; won’t happen in 150 years
Solder Slingin’ Elevator Motor
Meet elevator accident survivor
Virtual reality helps with phobias
Beer delivery man injured in elevator fall
Blown Rectifiers
Kingdom Tower – Holy Crap!
Metro Frustrations: Names and escalators
Otis high rise elevators at Hyatt Regency
CEA Golf Outing a Great Success
Symptoms of bad motor room rectifiers
Otis Hydro MRL?
New Control Valve Cover from Maxton
Giving back because it feels good!
Fantasy of getting married in elevator
9/11 Brought Changes to Highrises
Man falls into elevator shaft and dies
TCHC Launches Class Action Lawsuit
Steps taken over escalator safety
Another over the side escalator fall leads to death
Plastic Ties to fix elevators? What’s your caption?

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An Elevator Advocate wrote in and provided a bit more information on the accident that occurred in PA. Thanks  for sending the comments over. Complete article can be read via the link below.

http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-05/news/29623438_1_elevator-shaft-elevator-car-washington-square-west

Comments From G.D.

As for the 25 yr. old man falling down an elevator shaft. It is my understanding the building was retail on the lower levels and a private residence on the 5th fl. The car travel from a secure lobby to the 5th fl. apartment which apparently had a party go on. Per the state the elevator was list as residence elevator which required no annual inspections.

If you are a residential elevator owner please consider having your elevator inspected once a year and maintained on a regular basis. While the code does not address these devices it’s a good idea to have an elevator contractor come in and make sure that there are no safety issues with your equipment. As you can see, Residential Elevators only need be inspected once, when they are installed and that’s it.  Can you imagine purchasing a new car and never having it looked at or maintained until it broke?

Also, perhaps this elevator should not have been classified as a residential elevator. It will be interesting to see how this one plays out.  If there are more Elevator Advocates out there that can share more info as this case progresses I’d be happy to share and summarize it. Or if you’d like to add comments below feel free.

This was a terrible accident that could and should have been preventable.