elevator news

Elevator Radio Show 541 – Week 6/17/2020

I’m scratching my head at this one. Don’t masks allow us to face each other when we’re not able to keep a six apart? So now we have to face the walls, wear a mask and also keep as far away from each other as possible?

I’m scratching my head at this one. Don’t masks allow us to face each other when we’re not able to keep a six apart? So now we have to face the walls, wear a mask and also keep as far away from each other as possible?

I’d have to say that the only good thing to have come out of the Covid-19 and the shut downs is that I believe, based on the lack of internet articles, the number of elevator and escalator accidents has decreased.  That is up until this week.  There were two worker/construction related which requires a reality check about the dangers involved with the work we do each day.  We cannot ever lose sight of this!

Elevator Radio Show – 540 – Week 6/3/2020 –From My Heart

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It’s been a tough week in and around the City of Chicago.  Today’s show has nothing to do with elevators or escalators. My heart hurts and is angry for many reasons.  Many of which don’t really make sense to me.  I do my best to convey these on the program today but realize I’ll most likely offend some people or whatever I try to say might easily be taken out of context. I’m not looking for a fight, I’m simply looking for the looting and destruction to end.  To my friends, family who are first responders, I support you. I am by your side, you are not alone. Be safe out there and look out for your loved ones.

Elevator Radio Show 537 – Week 5/6/2020

As the coronavirus dominates every aspect of our lives today as well as what we hear on the news or read online I was reminded last night while having dinner with my boys something very important which I’m going to share on the show today.  As each of our states attempt to put in place plans to reopen some look to be doing as good a job as can be expected while others are struggling to create one that has actual measurable goals. Hang in there, this is long from over and keep doing what you’ve been doing to keep yourself, your coworkers and your families safe. A little common sense should go along way.

Elevator Radio Show 535 – Week 4/22/2020

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Thanks for all the well wishes for my mom, they are greatly appreciated more than you know. This week’s show has a lot of article links which talk about elevators, the coronavirus as they relate and other pieces from experts or should I say columnists who share advice that should be common sense. When did we lose our ability to apply common sense to situations which affect our health and well-being? Why is it so difficult to comprehend the importance of sanitation and our keeping the bad stuff we cannot see from making us sick? I’m frustrated as a father, a son, and business owner. Thanks for letting me share these thoughts with you. They may be way off base and I’m no expert but I’m not seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.  Stay safe everyone.

Elevator Radio Show 534 – Week 4/15/2020

Maybe plastic wrap and toothpicks will be the next shortage of goods we’ll see. And unless the plastic is really thick, doesn’t the pointy toothpick make a hole in the plastic?

Maybe plastic wrap and toothpicks will be the next shortage of goods we’ll see. And unless the plastic is really thick, doesn’t the pointy toothpick make a hole in the plastic?

The last two shows I’ve been struggling with what I’m going to be talking about. I wake up each day, and for a moment think to myself that everything is normal, life is good, then realize that Covid-19 is not a dream and we’re all living this nightmare together.  I continue to watch our Governor’s and the Whitehouse daily press briefing each day hoping for a glimpse of optimism that will allow us all to get back to our own normal lives. But despite the numbers, the flattening of the curve, that day seems so far out of sight.  Hang in there my friends, as an industry we’re going to struggle through this together.  Keep yourself safe, keep your family safe. Thank you for listening and allowing me to share and vent with you. I hope it brings some comfort in knowing that while we each may feel alone or helpless during this pandemic we are not. Good show today, one that I’m proud to have produced for you. 

Elevator Radio Show 533 - 4/8/2020 - When Will This All End?

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As optimistic as I’m attempting to seem it’s getting more difficult every day to see a light at the end of the tunnel. I’ll share more on this during the show today.  Continue to keep you and your family safe by washing your hands and sanitizing commonly touched work areas and make sure not to touch your eyes, ears or mouth unless your hands are clean.  This will help you stay healthy against all the bad stuff out there, not just Covid-19.  Some other advice I’d like to share is stay away from Facebook and the toxic posts you see out there. The news is just as bad. If you want to see what your governor or the Corona Virus Task Force has to share watch those briefings each day and form your own conclusion. The media rarely covers the entire briefing unfortunately.  The year off from this show has taught me that there are so many people out there who share information like they are experts when they aren’t. The media twists and turns and pounds home whatever they can to gain their viewing/subscriber base. The internet has become an ugly place and it’s truly sad to see.    

Elevator Radio Show 526 – Week 3/20/2019

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We’ve got a good show for you today. There are at least three articles that should be the talk around the office cooler, weekly safety toolbox talks or any other opportunity you have to chat with your coworkers about. In the end each all come down to safety.  And on a non-elevator related note it’s the first day of Spring today for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere. Let’s hope Mother Nature is done sending snow and cold our way.

Elevator Radio Show 522 – Week 2/20/2019

Visit www.safetyriders.org or www.eesf.org to learn more about elevator and escalator safety.

Visit www.safetyriders.org or www.eesf.org to learn more about elevator and escalator safety.

Thank you to everyone who shared the .pdf report last week. I received many emails, texts and phone calls regarding the show and while I do not think I did it justice I truly hope some of the information I shared sinks in with any one and every one who reads it. Most importantly share it with your coworkers, talk about the statistics, how can some of those accidents or fatalities be reduced? Each of us has a part in the work we do and ensuring those around us are safe and it doesn’t take much for it all to go south. Continue to talk about the report and never let it die. Lastly, no matter what you ever think you’re not alone when it comes to promoting safety but it sure feels good when you find someone else who shares the same concerns you do.

Elevator Radio Show 518 – Week 10/31/2018

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It is so sad that we lost another elevator mechanic this past week. I share that article along with another which goes to show that even the most safety conscious can be hurt or fatally injured in their everyday work environments. Not a great show to make anyone feel good so share the stories, the information with your coworkers and let’s all do our best to prevent any more accidents like this from happening in the future.  Since it’s the last show of the month I’m giving away a $100 and some goodies from the companies listed below.

Prize Pack Giveaway – Thanks To The Following Prize Pack Giveaway Donors!

C.J. Anderson & Company, Colley Elevator Company, Codedataplate.com,  The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, NAEC, Elevator Cab Renovations, Parts Specialists Inc, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Peelle, The pQEI Inspection App & Maxton Manufacturing

 News/Article Links:

Mechanic killed by counterweight

Man falls down elevator shaft - Lexington

A reminder; accidents can happen to anyone

In Memoriam: Bob Schumacher

Empire State Building: Unsung Hero’s

NYC’s Subway elevator attendants to stay put

Residential home lift company issues recalls

Court action against owner of apartment building

Escalator collapsed as escalator collapses in Rome

CEA Meeting November 1st

QEI & Elevator Code Associate Training Schedule

Elevator Radio Show – Week 9/19/2018

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4:38 am CST - My apologies but there will be no audio or video show today. After the show notes were all done I went to go turn on my production computer and got nothing. I’m hoping it’s just the power supply but have a feeling it’s more than that. Might be a good opportunity to get a more robust computer that can handle more video/audio processing. Make your back ups people, preferably to an offsite location, that’s where mine reside.

For friends and industry family affected by Hurricane Florence we’re thinking about you. The news footage from the flooding looks terrible and no matter how well one prepares for a hurricane Mother Nature is a force that brings with it some serious untamed power. If there’s anything I can do for listeners of the show please let me know. Next week is the NAEC Fall convention in Atlantic City which I’ll be at and on the show today I share some of my fun memories of when my dad would return from it back in the 70’s when I was a kid. I’m looking forward to seeing many of you which I don’t get to see but once a year.  

News/Article Links:

NYC DOB Compliance Filings Move Online

10 injured in escalator accident in high school

Child dies in elevator - Bulgaria

Woman suffers gas after escalator panel dislodges

Church plans to build elevator

Broken elevator at Harrisburg high rise repaired

Man seriously hurt after getting leg stuck in escalator

Hundreds race up massive Rottweil elevator test tower

Elon Musks Loop Lift

Man accused of preying on girls in elevator

CEA Next Meeting

Elevator shaft falls from building as typhoon hits

Construction elevators going pink

Oregon City Municipal Elevator

Elevator Radio Show 514 – Week 9/5/2018

Visit NAESA International for QEI Educational Opportunities 

Visit NAESA International for QEI Educational Opportunities 

Next week is the Wisconsin Elevator Symposium and I’m looking forward to it. The venue, the topics and the ability to get so many educational credits in once place draws a lot of people. If you need to get your educational credits consider attending this event. It’s a really cool place to hold a conference and a first rate event. I’ll be there the night for the dinner and look forward to seeing many of you there.

Elevator Radio Show 512 – Week 8/29/2018

It’s like either heat has hit elevators pretty hard across the country or there’s a full moon out there because there are so many articles regarding elevators not working I couldn’t share them all. In addition seems as if there are crazy people out there as well using and doing things in elevators they shouldn’t be doing. It’s the last show of the month and I’ve got a $100 gift card and prize pack box to giveaway. Thanks for tuning into the show today.

Prize Pack Giveaway – Thanks To The Following Prize Pack Giveaway Donors!

C.J. Anderson & Company, Colley Elevator Company, Codedataplate.com,  The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, NAEC, Elevator Cab Renovations, Parts Specialists Inc, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Peelle, The pQEI Inspection App & Maxton Manufacturing

Elevator Radio Show 509 – Week 7/25/2018

Visit www.eesf.org 

Visit www.eesf.org 

Riding escalators is safe, as long as you ride them the correct way.  The fine print is as follows for all the ambulance chasing attorneys out looking to purchase their next vacation home on the cape with a settlement relating to our industry,  I have no idea what the specifics are from any of the accidents shared in today’s show.  However based on my knowledge as a father and my job to keep my kids safe the information shared in those articles leads me to believe that in both cases the escalators were not being ridden safely.  Hands should be on the hand rails, feet should be away from the sides of an escalator.  As parents it’s our job to protect and teach our children the best way to survive in the world. If there was any money in suing parents for negligence I’m certain you’d see a huge new field of attorneys pursuing it.   

Elevator Radio Show 508 – Week 7/18/2018

Heat effects more than just our bodies. Elevators, rooftop machine rooms and power fluctuations can cause elevators to stop working and for good reason.  

Heat effects more than just our bodies. Elevators, rooftop machine rooms and power fluctuations can cause elevators to stop working and for good reason.  

Good to be back after a busy four weeks of travel.  I’m thinking things will settle down a little bit by November. I appreciate so many of you reaching out to me asking what the heck was going on but the reality is that life just got really, really busy for me, more so than normal.

““Elevators don’t run if you don’t do maintenance,” said Dick Gregory, a Chicago-based elevator consultant who has testified as an expert witness in lawsuits involving elevator injuries throughout the country. “And they’re not safe if you don’t do maintenance.” - Dick Gregory - Vertex Elevator Consultants”

Elevator Radio Show 505 – Week 5/23/2018

This is a picture of my great uncle, Loren Jerome Gregory, aged 16 years, in Manila in October 1941. Six months later he would be walking in the Bataan Death March in April 1942, turning 17 years old that May, dying in a Japanese camp in August 1942…

This is a picture of my great uncle, Loren Jerome Gregory, aged 16 years, in Manila in October 1941. Six months later he would be walking in the Bataan Death March in April 1942, turning 17 years old that May, dying in a Japanese camp in August 1942. 

First and foremost make sure on Monday, while spending time with family, you take the opportunity to share and talk about your family members and friends who died while serving our country.  Neither we nor generations to come can forget the ultimate sacrifice they gave by serving. They are the reason why we enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Elevator Radio Show 504 – Week 5/9/2018

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On today’s program I get to get to share an experience I had regarding an elevator from 1934, an accident and the problem with building/elevator owners who simply won’t invest in there elevators. So what’s the moral of the story? When you’re a cheap ass slumlord with no intention of investing in your buildings there’s a good chance someone is going to get hurt or worse lose their life.  As contractors, inspectors, consultants and manufacturers we all need to take steps to make sure these people understand the ramifications of not maintaining, repairing and/or upgrading their elevators could lead too which is injury or worse. 

Elevator Radio Show 503 – Week 5/2/2018

BART's approach to keeping elevators drug and urine free with elevator attendants might just be what is needed to prevent both from happening. 

BART's approach to keeping elevators drug and urine free with elevator attendants might just be what is needed to prevent both from happening. 

Today’s show leads with what I think is a pretty good idea as it relates to the issues of elevators being used as bathrooms in Transit Systems in large metropolitan cities.  While the pilot program will prove whether it’s effective or not I give BART a lot of credit for giving it a try. The show is short and sweet today.

Elevator Radio Show 502 – Week 4/25/2018

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I was close to only sharing one news story today and looking back maybe I should have. Each that follows the lead article fails to compare to the tragedy of losing another elevator mechanic.  I read other articles and Facebook posts where those who knew Randy referred to him as a Superhero.  I need you all to remember that you are someone’s Superhero.  You may not feel like it but you are and those whom might view you as such would never be the same if something like this were to happen to you.  Our industry sends its most deep heart sympathy to the friends and family of Randy Wilson. Work safe out there.

Last Show Of The Month – Prize Pack Giveaway – Thanks To The Following Prize Pack Giveaway Donors!

C.J. Anderson & Company, Colley Elevator Company, The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, NAEC, Elevator Cab Renovations, Parts Specialists Inc, Elevatormanstories.com, CodeDataPlate.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Peelle, The pQEI Inspection App & Maxton Manufacturing

Elevator Radio Show 500 – Week 4/11/2018

Tom Sybert - Being Interviewed on Innovation Hub at WBEZ NPR in Chicago. 

Tom Sybert - Being Interviewed on Innovation Hub at WBEZ NPR in Chicago. 

I was never really a big fan of milestones or my own birthday for that matter and simply feel lucky just being able to do what I enjoy doing.  I want to thank each of you for joining me each week as I’ve made some awesome friends along the way.  So thank you for helping make me want to do this each week.  

Yes, it seems that the three thumbnail choices that Youtube pulls from my video are sometimes the most ridiculous ones in the world. My goal is to share ones that are the worst. 

Elevator Radio Show 498 – Week 3/14/2018

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It’s hard to believe we’re in March after receiving a bit of snow in Chicago yesterday and seeing the storm that’s hitting the Northeast right now. Hopefully whatever snow is left is gone by July 4th.  We’ve got a good show today, stories, content that will have you wondering what the heck Comportation means.