In an effort to improve safety and education in the elevator industry, an agreement was signed to renew an alliance between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of US Department of Labor (OSHA) and the Elevator Industry Safety Partners (EISP).

This alliance allows OSHA to create a platform where any entity in the elevator industry can have the opportunity to voluntarily participate in cooperation with OSHA for purposes of improving communication, safety, raising awareness, outreach, training, and education in the elevator industry.

Check out the latest Alliance Agreement here  and see how OSHA and the EISP are working together with a common goal to make the elevator industry safer for all workers.

Miami International Airport replaces Elevator Service provider after investigative reporter uncovered major safety concerns, according to Local 10 News in South Florida. Per a recent letter from Miami-Dade County, Oracle Elevator will no longer be providing service to Miami International Airport or Port Miami. The contract termination is effective June 10.

Read more about the contract termination and related safety issues at Local 10 News

Every year on April 28^th the Elevator Industry recognized the Safety Stand Down Day. Deliberately coinciding with Workers Memorial Day in the United States and the National Day of Mourning in Canada, across the Elevator Industry this day is dedicated to education and raising awareness on safety.

Safety advocates in the elevator industry have always been trying to bring safety to the forefront of our industry. Recognizing this, employers from across the industry held safety meetings, toolbox talks, and sent out safety messages to promote a safer workplace for all workers.

 

This year Safety Stand Down Day held an additional meaning for many, as for the first time, the elevator industry’s working contract (negotiated every 5 years between IUEC and employers throughout the country) included a safety article – a collaborative effort that was added to further protect workers from potential injuries and fatalities.

 

Visit the IUEC Safety Page to access links for Life After Loss Videos, OSHA’s National Stand Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, and other useful tools as the industry Stands Down for Safety.

 

To listen to an important safety message from International Union of Elevator Constructors General President Frank Christensen, please call 1-888-618-0613 (toll free in the U.S. and Canada).

Every 5 years the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) enters into a collectively bargained agreement with elevator companies across the United States. The agreement addresses a range of issues ranging from work jurisdiction, compensation for the work performed to on-the-job safety and as such impacts the entire elevator industry for the next 5 years.

Typically, IUEC signs two collectively bargained agreements; one is with National Elevator Bargaining Association (NEBA) which includes the 6 largest elevator industry employers in the US (Otis, Schindler, Fujitec America, Kone, Mitsubishi, North American Elevator Service, and TKE), while the other one is with The Elevator Contractors of America (ECA), which is an employer group of independent signatory contractors.

In early April 2022, hundreds of delegates representing the more than 31,000 members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) gathered in Washington DC to review, debate, and ultimately vote on a new collective bargaining agreement.

Once the contract had been successfully ratified, IUEC General President Frank Christensen released a statement reflecting on the ratification. In his statement, GP Christensen touts contract provisions such as increased wages, robust healthcare and retirement benefits, and the establishment of a first-ever labor-management safety committee. In his statement, the union leader recognizes the value of strong partnerships between labor and management, and stresses the importance of working with contractor partners to address pertinent safety issues.

Read the full statement here:

“Delegates from coast to coast came together and got the job done. With increased wages and a strong benefits package, the new contract is a victory for our union, our members, and our members’ families – supporting it was a no-brainer. What’s more, the contract increases funding to advance industry safety initiatives, as well as grow market share.

“Two things matter most to me – ensuring my brothers and sisters are taken care of from a pay and benefits standpoint and keeping them safe on the job. While lucrative and fulfilling, a career in the elevator trade is an innately dangerous job. From falls to electrical hazards, so much can, and unfortunately does, sometimes go wrong. That’s why, as part of the new agreement, there was a renewed commitment to continuing education and safety, including the formation of a first-ever labor-management safety committee.

“The organized elevator industry recognizes the importance of collaborating with contractor partners to effectively identify and address both general construction and industry-specific safety issues. The reality is this: For the elevator industry to be a safer one, a strong partnership must exist between labor and management. Together, we can and will do everything in our power to see that, at the end of the day, all workers go home safely.”