Elevate Your Future: The Elevator Industry Highlights Career Opportunities at SkillsUSA NLSC 2025

Mark Your Calendars: June 23-27, 2025 | Atlanta, Georgia

The 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference (NLSC) represents more than just a competition—it’s a national initiative designed to elevate the next generation of trades professionals. Once again, the elevator industry is rising to the occasion.

Returning to Atlanta with a booth twice the size of last year’s footprint, the elevator industry conveys a powerful message: We are here to recruit, inspire, and educate the workforce of tomorrow. Led by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC), the National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII), and the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF), this year’s initiative builds on the momentum from all industry sector partners.

The Future Is in the Field – and in the Hoistway

“I want everyone that walks through this booth to understand that you can be a part of something that’s an actual career and that will benefit the rest of your life,” said Sarah Miller, NEIEP Director of Diversity, during last year’s event. That sentiment has only grown stronger.

With SkillsUSA hosting more than 18,000 students, educators, and industry leaders from across the country, the elevator industry’s immersive exhibit is designed to demystify what elevator constructors do, and why it matters.

The trade itself may be unfamiliar to many students, but it connects deeply to the skills they already possess. “Every single thing you do in vocational school could be transferred into our trade because our trade has so many domains,” said Desalia Gomes, an elevator constructor apprentice based at IUEC Local 4 in Boston, MA. Desalia came into the elevator trade through a Boston-based building trades pre-apprenticeship program called Building Pathways. From welding and electrical systems to hydraulics and safety procedures, the elevator industry encompasses a broad range of disciplines found in career and technical education (CTE) programs nationwide.

Elevating Learning Through Hands-On Experience

This year’s booth will feature NEIEP’s hands-on demonstration zone, including:

– Cutaway Valve Displays – Allowing students to see how hydraulic valves function.

– Working Elevator Hoistway Exhibit – A real-time, scaled system that visually explains how traction elevators operate.

– Escalator VR Simulators – A game-changing tool to demonstrate the mechanics of escalator systems and the safety protocols for devices students can’t typically access.

– Virtual Reality Simulations – Interactive simulations showing what elevator apprentices do across construction, maintenance, and modernization work.

“You can actually see the device safely, see how it operates, and understand the operation of the step chain… where we can’t see it in the field,” explained Rick Myers, a Subject Matter Expert who develops curriculum and lab materials for NEIEP. By showing students what lies beneath the surface—literally and figuratively—NEIEP is making the case for elevator work as both a science and a career

A Real Career. A Real Future. No Student Debt.

The message to students is straightforward: the elevator industry offers one of the best skilled trades careers in America—and you get paid to learn.

“As an elevator mechanic, you would come in as an apprentice. You’re gonna work, and earn money while you go to school,” said Lester White, NEIEP’s Head of Development.

“My classes are on Wednesdays. I report to my local. It’s from four to eight after work. And I’m learning these things to make me the best at my trade,” said Desalia.

With union support, NEIEP apprentices not only learn technical skills; they also receive competitive wages, pensions, annuities, and comprehensive healthcare. “Hopefully they’ll also learn that this is where their life will start changing,” Desalia shared. “You join the trade and you’re gonna have a pension and an annuity.”

This financial and lifestyle security is a major draw for students who may not see a traditional college path as the right fit. And the numbers back it up: elevator constructors are among the highest-paid tradespeople in the construction sector.

Representation Matters: Meet the People Who Built Their Career Here

Representation is another powerful tool. At the booth, students interact directly with NEIEP instructors, union representatives, and current apprentices—some just a few years older than the students themselves.

These conversations matter. Whether a student is unsure about their next step or eager to jump into a specific trade, talking with someone who’s been there, done that, and found success helps bridge the gap between aspiration and action.

Built-In Safety, Built-In Support

Another key message the elevator industry brings to SkillsUSA: safety is non-negotiable.

“Every new program has safety built in. There are hazards in every aspect of our trade. So as you’re learning an aspect of our trade, you’re also learning the safety for that particular aspect,” said Scott Russell, an IUEC National Organizer and member of Local 32 in Atlanta, GA. The use of VR, scaffolding, PPE demos, and real-world simulations helps make that commitment tangible.

By integrating these technologies and standards from the very first interaction, NEIEP ensures that future elevator constructors develop a culture of safety from day one.

But safety in the elevator trade goes far beyond protecting workers—it is also about safeguarding the public. Elevators are an essential part of daily life for billions of people worldwide. From hospitals and schools to office buildings and high-rise housing, elevators must operate with precision and security. Every elevator technician plays a vital role in public trust and infrastructure reliability. A small error in installation or maintenance can result in serious consequences. That’s why safety training in this field is rigorous, standardized, and continuously updated.

IUEC-affiliated elevator companies recognize this responsibility and heavily invest in workforce training and certifications. They understand that protecting elevator users means first protecting the workers who install and maintain them. This culture of accountability and care is what distinguishes the elevator trade and reinforces why it’s not just a job—it’s a public safety mission.

Why Highly Skilled Workers are Non-Negotiable in the Vertical Transportation Industry

The elevator industry isn’t just about moving people — it’s about moving them safely, reliably, and efficiently in environments where failure is not an option. In major metropolitan areas and small communities alike, elevators are lifelines in high-rises, hospitals, transit systems, and residential towers. That means the people behind their installation and maintenance must operate at the highest levels of skill and focus.

Elevator systems today are complex, integrating digital controls and advanced hydraulics. It takes deep technical training, precision, and a commitment to lifelong learning to install and maintain them properly. The NEIEP apprenticeship model isn’t just a training program, it’s a quality assurance system that ensures the highest safety and performance standards are upheld in every building where elevators operate.

Moreover, this is a global industry. Regardless of the country or region, people depend on elevators every day. Indeed, vertical transportation is one of the few infrastructure systems that spans all continents, cultures, and sectors, from hospitals to hotels, airports to apartment buildings. As population growth and urbanization continue to rise, the demand for new systems and the skilled workers to build and maintain them is steadily increasing.

This workforce need is urgent, but it also presents a historic opportunity. Companies that value safety and quality understand they must invest in highly skilled workers. This means that apprenticeships, ongoing certifications, and partnerships with labor and educational institutions are not just optional—they’re essential. The elevator industry is responding to that call, and SkillsUSA is one of the most important places to connect with tomorrow’s workforce today.

Industry Collaboration at Its Finest

This year’s SkillsUSA effort is the result of an extraordinary partnership between:

– NEIEP (National Elevator Industry Educational Program)

– IUEC (International Union of Elevator Constructors)

– NEII (National Elevator Industry, Inc.)

– EIWPF (Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund)

These organizations collectively bring the power of union training, employer partnerships, public-private collaboration, and decades of experience to the table. Together, they are creating a clear, welcoming on-ramp to elevator careers for America’s best and brightest students.

Final Word: There’s a Place for You in the Elevator Industry

“What we want people to take away from this booth is that there’s a place for you here in the elevator industry, and we are looking for the best and brightest,” summed up one Sarah Miller. “That’s why we’re here. Hopefully, someone will walk away from here interested and excited about getting into the elevator industry.”

From hands-on learners and robotics hobbyists to students with an interest in electrical and mechanical engineering, the elevator industry is wide open for the next generation of skilled tradespeople.

Visit Us at SkillsUSA NLSC 2025

Make your way to the Elevator Industry Booth in Halls B/C of the Georgia World Congress Center. Try the tools. Ask questions. Meet the pros. And learn how technically-oriented students are elevating their careers —one floor at a time.

For more information, visit www.elevatorinfo.org or connect with your local IUEC representative.

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This blog was developed in partnership with NEIEP, IUEC, NEII, and EIWPF to support career awareness, recruitment, and public outreach at the 2025 SkillsUSA National Leadership & Skills Conference.

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Green Energy and LEED Certification for Elevators: A Building Owner’s Guide

What is Green Energy & LEED Certification?

Green or renewable energy is all about sustainable power sources and technologies – such as solar, wind, geothermal, biogas, eligible biomass, and low-impact small hydroelectric sources – that ultimately minimize environmental impact. A renewable energy source may not be considered ‘green’ if, for example, some carbon emissions are associated with the processes used to generate the energy – such as the building or infrastructure.

When we talk about green energy for elevators, we’re specifically looking at systems that: 1) use less electricity; 2) recover energy when possible, and; 3) operate more efficiently overall.

LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the gold standard of green building ratings worldwide. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it’s essentially a report card for how environmentally friendly, or “green”, a building is. The LEED certificate rating system awards points across various categories, with a maximum designation of 110.

There are four distinct certification levels that a project can obtain:

  • Certified (40-49 points)
  • Silver (50-59 points)
  • Gold (60-79 points)
  • Platinum (80+ points)

It’s important to note that while no LEED category explicitly exists for elevators, your vertical transportation system(s) can help earn points in several key areas, particularly as it relates to energy efficiency.

Why Does Green Energy and LEED Certification Matter?

What Your Tenants Want

Today’s tenants expect more from their buildings. Increasing awareness and concern over the impact of an excessive carbon footprint has led to a growing number of consumers willing to pay more for “sustainable offerings”. In the commercial sector, the vast majority of tenants now consider sustainability when selecting office space – often driven by their own sustainability commitments that require LEED-certified spaces.

The Environmental Case

Buildings require a lot of energy. For example, commercial buildings account for approximately 35% of electricity consumption in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.1 Within those same buildings, elevators consume a moderate percentage of the total energy usage.

The Financial Reality

As a building owner or manager, green elevators aren’t just good for the planet, they’re good for your bottom line too:

  • Lower operating costs: Energy-efficient elevators can reduce related energy consumption by a significant margin, according to studies by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).2
  • Increased property value: LEED-certified buildings typically command higher sale values than conventional buildings, according to a study by the CoStar Group.3
  • Higher rental income: Research by CBRE found that green buildings command rental premiums of 4% on average.
  • Reduced vacancy: LEED-certified buildings have been shown to have higher occupancy rates than non-certified buildings.

The Regulatory Push

Building regulations are getting stricter every year, and staying ahead of the curve is just good business. Green elevator systems can help you comply with:

  • Local energy codes. New York City’s Local Law 97, for example, set carbon caps with financial penalties for non-compliance beginning in 2024.
  • State energy efficiency standards that are constantly evolving
  • Federal incentive programs that reward energy efficiency

Perhaps not surprisingly, green building regulations are not uniform across the country. Several states have taken the lead with mandatory green building standards; 24 states have green energy mandates. Please check with your local and state Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) for more information.

Here are a few examples that apply specifically to vertical transportation systems:

  • California: Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards set specific energy performance levels for new construction and renovations, including requirements that affect elevator systems.4
  • Washington: The State Energy Code includes provisions specifically addressing elevator efficiency.5
  • Massachusetts: The Stretch Energy Code, adopted by over 300 municipalities, includes elevator efficiency standards.6
  • New York: The Energy Conservation Construction Code includes specific provisions for vertical transportation systems.7

The implementation of green energy and the associated LEED certification [process] matters. It impacts your tenants, existing and prospective; it impacts your community, locally and more broadly; it impacts the environment, now and far into the future; and it impacts your wallet, in small and big ways.

How Green Elevators Benefit You as a Building Owner or Manager

As a building owner or manager, all of this can impact your bottom line, including the practical benefits of upgrading your elevator systems to be “green”.

The most immediate benefit comes from reduced operational costs:
1. Energy Savings You’ll See on Your Bills:

  • Regenerative drives can cut elevator energy consumption considerably, according to major service providers.
  • LED lighting with motion sensors reduces lighting energy by up to 80%, as documented by the Department of Energy.8
  • Sleep mode technologies greatly assist with cutting standby power*.
  • Destination dispatching is also an energy saving addition to current systems.

2. Maintenance Costs That Actually Go Down:

  • Modern systems with predictive (MCP) maintenance can reduce callbacks.
  • You’ll see extended component lifespan due to less heat generation and stress

The efficiencies gained, financially and operationally, by way of green energy and its varying forms are undeniable – and the opportunity for meaningful and lasting change is much more far reaching.

*Check your local regulations before implementing.

What Are the Goals of LEED Certification – Why Pursue It?

LEED certification examines all aspects of buildings through the lens of sustainability. As initially outlined: upon certification, projects are granted a rating. These ratings can then be used to demonstrate the verified sustainability of a property (and the benefits that accompany them).

The certification’s targeted building strategies emphasize the following:

  • Reducing the contribution of buildings to climate change (35%)
  • Improving human health (20%)
  • Preserving freshwater resources and enhancing water efficiency (15%)
  • Preventing biodiversity loss and protecting ecosystems and their services (10%)
  • Supporting regenerative, long-term material use (10%)
  • Building thriving communities and fostering neighborhood development (5%)
  • Conserving natural resources (5%)

LEED Points That Add Up Quickly

If you’re already pursuing or considering pursuing LEED certification, your elevator system(s) can help earn points across several categories.

Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credits:

  • Optimize Energy Performance (up to 18 points) via AC Drives and soft starts on hydraulic elevators
  • Advanced Energy Metering (1 point)
  • Demand Response (2 points) through elevator load management: e.g., updated control systems and dispatching

Materials and Resources (MR) Credits:

  • Building Product Disclosure and Optimization (2 points): e.g., updated control system, dispatching
  • Construction Waste Management (2 points), such as sealed bearings on AC motors and oil that comes from renewable sources

Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credits:

  • Low-Emitting Materials (1 point): e.g., led lighting, lowering of heat load with removal of generators, and switching to AC motors
  • Acoustic Performance (1 point) – achieved by way of removing generators

Innovation Credits:

  • Exemplary performance in energy efficiency (1 point). Examples include: AC motors, dispatching, removing generators
  • Pilot credits for vertical transportation efficiency (1 point)

So, what are some of the applicable ways you as building managers and owners can begin to integrate green solutions around and within your vertical transportation systems?

Implementing Green Elevator Solutions

Green Technologies Worth Your Investment

When planning for elevator systems with a high ROI – whether that be financially or environmentally – here are some technologies you should consider:
1. Regenerative Drives

  • This technology is considered the most important feature [currently] for energy-efficient elevators, capturing energy during braking and feeding it back into your building’s electrical system
  • They’re most effective in high-rise buildings with heavy traffic

2. Machine Room-Less (MRL) Designs

  • These compact gearless machines fit within the hoistway itself
  • You reduce energy consumption
  • Particularly beneficial for retrofits

3. Destination Dispatch Systems

  • These smart systems group passengers going to similar floors, reducing stops and starts
  • They can reduce energy consumption significantly while improving traffic flow
  • Best for buildings with heavy, predictable traffic patterns

4. LED Lighting and Smart Controls

  • Replace traditional cab lighting with LEDs and motion sensors
  • This is a simple upgrade with fast payback (typically under 1 year)
  • You can implement this independently of other mechanical upgrades

5. High-Efficiency Motors

  • Look for NEMA Premium efficiency ratings or better
  • Variable frequency drives optimize performance at all loads
  • These reduce heat generation and extend component life

Not all changes require extensive renovations – switching to LED lighting is an example of this. Existing buildings can improve performance and energy efficiency through simple technology as well as thoughtful design.

Future Trends

In the elevator industry, technology is always evolving. Here’s what you should keep an eye on as you look to increase green energy solutions:

Innovative New Technologies

1. Energy Storage Integration

  • Elevator systems with built-in battery storage to capture regenerated energy
  • Integration with building microgrids and demand response systems

2. AI and Predictive Analytics

  • AI-driven traffic management optimizing elevator dispatching
  • Predictive maintenance reducing downtime and extending component life
  • Real-time energy optimization based on usage patterns

An Investment Worth Making

As a building owner or manager, green elevator systems represent a strategic investment that balances upfront costs against long-term returns. In addition to meeting regulatory requirements and environmental benefits, these systems offer real financial advantages through lower operating costs, enhanced property value, and improved tenant satisfaction.

With thoughtful planning, smart financing, and phased implementation, green elevator upgrades can become a cornerstone of your building’s sustainability strategy and financial performance. Whether you’re pursuing LEED certification or simply looking to reduce operational expenses, today’s elevator technologies offer solutions that make both environmental and economic sense.

 

References

1 U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). “About the Commercial Buildings Integration Program.”
2 National Renewable Energy Laboratory. (2023). “Energy Efficiency in Commercial Buildings.”
3 CoStar Group & USGBC. (2022). “LEED and the U.S. Office Market.”
4 California Energy Commission. (2023). “Building Energy Efficiency Standards – Title 24.”
5 Washington State Building Code Council. (2023). “Washington State Energy Code.”
6 Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. (2023). “Stretch Energy Code.”
7 New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. (2023). “Energy Conservation Construction Code.”
8 U.S. Department of Energy. (2023). “LED Lighting.”

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National Elevator Mechanics Day

Today marks the first annual National Elevator Mechanics Day. ElevatorInfo is proud to celebrate IUEC mechanics, the industry’s leading elevator mechanics. With their skills, professionalism, education, and dedication, they take great pride in their work, which keeps elevators, escalators, and all types of conveyance equipment running smoothly and safely for the riding public.

 

To celebrate National Elevator Mechanics Day, we’ve put together a list of five things you didn’t know about IUEC elevator mechanics.

1. Their work encompasses skills from all of the building trades

Being an elevator mechanic is an elite profession. IUEC elevator mechanics go through rigorous training and education to hone their skills and prepare themselves to excel in the field. Through the USDOL Registered National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) apprenticeship, they receive extensive safety training and go through the most comprehensive, hands-on program in the industry.

Their NEIEP education gives them the skills and foundational background theory and knowledge needed to work on elevator and escalator equipment from the early 1900s through to today’s cutting-edge technology. Once they complete their apprenticeship and pass a capstone Mechanic Exam – earning journeyman mechanic status – they continue learning throughout their careers by participating in NEIEP’s Continuing Education (CE) courses, where they can build on those skills and earn important industry-related certifications. Because of their NEIEP education, IUEC elevator mechanics possess unique and diverse skill sets that prepare them to take on any project, regardless of its complexity.

2. To reach mechanic status, they complete college-level training

As mentioned, IUEC elevator mechanics go through a rigorous apprenticeship via NEIEP, but did you know that this education translates to a college-level education? NEIEP’s apprenticeship program leads the industry, which is why colleges such as the Community College of Baltimore County, Ivy Tech Community College, Rowan University, Thomas Edison State University, the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and Wentworth Institute of Technology have partnered with NEIEP.

These colleges and universities provide college credit for the work completed as a student in the NEIEP apprenticeship program. Students at these institutions can receive up to 45 college transfer credits to use at that school (the number of credits depends on which of the colleges or universities they choose), which can sometimes account for more than 50% of the credits needed to complete their degree. Construction Craft Professional (AAS), Applied Science (AAS), Construction Management (BA), Project Management (BA), and Engineering Technology (AAS) are just some of the options NEIEP graduates have when it comes to continuing their education through one of the program’s college partnerships.

Student debt has been a big issue for many young people coming into the workforce for the first time or experienced workers wanting to make a career change later in their lives – but construction apprenticeship programs like NEIEP allow them to pursue a quality education without that burden. As all of their apprenticeship-related expenses are covered by their IUEC education benefits, aspiring mechanics entering the elevator trade are able to “earn while they learn” and don’t graduate from their apprenticeship training burdened by loans they must repay. If they choose to continue their post-apprenticeship education through one of NEIEP’s college partnerships, the costs they incur for their college courses are greatly reduced by the head start they have in pursuing their degrees.

3. Many come from military backgrounds

Through work with programs like Helmets to Hardhats (H2H), many Veterans of the U.S. armed forces join the elevator trade where they put the skills they learned in the military to use. Some IUEC elevator mechanics have backgrounds as aircraft mechanics, nuclear submarine engineers, and tank commanders. The highly-technical skills that these professionals bring to the IUEC help solidify IUEC elevator mechanics as the most skilled, talented, and dedicated in the industry.

Much of the work involved in elevator and escalator installation, maintenance, service, and repair requires technical expertise, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to follow serious safety protocols — skills that people in the military develop and use extensively during their service. Veterans from all branches of the military have experience learning new technologies, troubleshooting equipment under pressure, following directions from their supervisors, adapting to challenging situations, and collaborating with their team, making them valuable assets to IUEC-affiliated elevator companies.

Once Veterans enter the trade, the IUEC’s Veterans Assistance Program steps in to assist them with applying for the GI Bill benefits they are eligible to receive as they participate in NEIEP apprenticeship courses. The IUEC-VAP also helps IUEC Veteran members and Veteran spouses through the application process for claims and disabilities.

IUEC-VAP National Chairman Jason Gray, IUEC National Organizer, Local 32 member, and U.S. Marines Corps Veteran, said “We are looking to help Veterans in all aspects of their needs. A lot of Veterans don’t understand there are benefits that are available to them…our plan is to get the word out and let Veterans know we’re going to be a resource for them if they have a need that’s related to their military service. We want to be that community they can go to seek assistance.”

4. They’re experts at staying safe in hazardous conditions

For the riding public, elevators are the safest form of transportation in the world. But because the safety features in place for riders are typically disabled to allow elevator constructors to perform their work, they must remain vigilant of the hazards they encounter on the jobsite every day.

According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), construction is at the top of the list for the most dangerous industries to work in in the United States. Construction inspections make up approximately 60% of all of the workplace inspections they perform every year. The agency describes its “Fatal 4” hazards in relation to construction jobs: falls from heights, caught in or between, struck-by, and electrical hazards. IUEC mechanics regularly encounter these dangers while working on elevators, escalators, and other conveyance systems.

Other common issues on jobsites include the risk of being injured by unguarded machinery, injuries that result from the improper use of power tools or hand tools, hearing damage from loud noises generated during construction or repair work, confines spaces, extreme weather conditions, eye damage from dust or debris, exposure to silica dust, asbestos, chemicals, bloodborne pathogens – the hazards these workers face are omnipresent. This is why the IUEC and its signatory companies work together to ensure all elevator constructors are educated of the risks and have the knowledge and materials necessary to take preventative measures to avoid them – such as lock out tag out (LOTO), the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and emergency action plans. They always perform a job hazard analysis (JHA) before beginning any job to ensure their diverse skills can be put to work in a safe working environment.

As part of a continued effort to promote a culture of working safe, the IUEC established a department dedicated to safety as well as an international safety committee and Local Area Safety Committees at IUEC Locals across the United States and Canada. ElevatorInfo reported on an initiative from the IUEC Safety Director and Assistant Safety Director building on OSHA’s work. They developed BE SAFE, a safety-focused awareness campaign designed specifically for the people who install, service, maintain, troubleshoot, repair, and inspect elevators, escalators, and other conveyance equipment.

“BE SAFE is a phrase that we use when we’re saying goodbye to one another – hey brother, hey sister, be safe,” said IUEC Safety Director Eric McClaskey. “We took those words and we wanted to associate hazards within the industry as a reminder for mechanics and apprentices out in the field… BE SAFE really brings everything together for our safety culture, because within BE SAFE we have the OSHA Focus Four hazards where we see most of the injuries and fatalities in the industry – so we’re really trying to build upon that within (the IUEC) safety committee, local safety committees, and even within our alliance with OSHA.”

The major hazards they identified for elevator constructors included:

  • Barricades – Are proper barricades in place?
  • Elevator location – Have you identified/verified the elevator’s location prior to entering the hoistway?
  • Struck by – Is overhead protection in place?
  • Adjacent car – Is adjacent car protection in place?
  • Fall protection – Are you using a Personal Fall Arrest System (PFAS) where fall hazards exist?
  • Electrical protection – Are you using electrical safe work practices?

5. They don’t just work on elevators and escalators

Dumbwaiters, moving walks, Automated People Mover trams at airports, cruise ship elevators, shopping cart lifts at department stores in large cities, pinsetters in bowling alleys, conveyor belt systems, carnival rides – these are all examples of equipment that IUEC elevator constructors have performed work on in addition to the elevators and escalators they’re known for.

Thanks to their skills and high level of craftsmanship, IUEC elevator mechanics are the best choice to install and maintain wind tower conveyance systems in onshore and offshore turbines across the United States. Through a collaborative learning program with Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT, IUEC mechanics can enroll in Global Wind Organization Basic Safety Training (GWO-BST), which includes modules such as Basic Safety Training, Work at Height, Manual Handling, Medic First Aid + Trauma, Fire Awareness, Sea Survival, Enhanced First Aid, and Advanced Rescue Training. This training, which culminates in an internationally-recognized wind industry credential, prepares IUEC mechanics to excel at wind turbine work and other types of projects.

Join us and celebrate IUEC elevator mechanics

While you may not have known each of these five facts about IUEC elevator mechanics, one thing you should know by now is that because of their top-tier training and dedication to their craft, IUEC mechanics are the best in the industry. On the first annual National Elevator Mechanics Day, we honor them, not just for the work they do every day in making elevators, escalators, and moving walkways safe for the riding public, but also for the dedication and capability each of them has demonstrated as the industry’s leading elevator mechanics.

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IUEC-VAP Launches Local Area Veterans’ Committees

 

The International Union of Elevator Constructors’ Veterans Assistance Program (IUEC-VAP) is in the process of launching Local Area Veterans Committees across the United States. The program’s goal is to have a Local Area Veterans Committee at each IUEC Local to assist IUEC Veterans and their families with claims and disability support, apprenticeship and workforce access, and family and community wraparound services.

The following IUEC Locals have recently held their first Local Area Veterans Committee meetings:

  • 18 (Los Angeles, CA / San Diego, CA / Las Vegas, NV)
  • 2 (Chicago, IL)
  • 4 (Boston, MA)
  • 19 (Seattle, WA)
  • 21 (Dallas, TX)
  • 31 (Houston, TX)
  • 71 (Miami, FL)
  • 91 (New Haven, CT)
  • 10 (Washington, DC)
  • 25 (Denver, CO)

In the coming weeks, Local Area Veterans’ Committees will be launched in:

  • 1 (New York, NY) – May 20
  • 8 (San Francisco, CA) – June 18
  • 23 (Portland, Oregon) – July 10

The IUEC-VAP is staffed by National Chairman Jason Gray, (IUEC Local 32, Atlanta, GA), who is an IUEC National Organizer and U.S. Marines Corps Veteran; National Co-Chair Ryan Donnell (IUEC Local 21, Dallas, TX), who is an Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF) National Coordinator and spouse of a U.S. Air Force Veteran; National Director of Programs and Education Ben Valinsky, who is a National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) Writing and Development Coordinator and U.S. Army Veteran; IUEC-VAP National Claims and Disabilities Liaison Jeff Handibode (IUEC Local 4, Boston, MA), who is a National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) Area Coordinator for Northeast Region 22 and a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, and Elizabeth Belcaster, who is the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF) Workforce Development and Public Affairs Specialist.

“We started this program so we could help and assist our Veteran members with their disability claims, educational benefits, and, basically, whatever they need as a Veteran,” said National Chairman Jason Gray. “Our Veterans need to know that we’re a resource. We’re going to do our best to help (you) in any way we can. I want the membership to know that and understand that, because the people on our team are passionate. We have a cause, we have a purpose and we’re going to get the job done – no matter what.”

A Strong Match: Military Skills and Elevator Work

Transitioning from military service to civilian employment presents unique challenges for many Veterans. However, the elevator industry has become an ideal landing spot for many military Veterans. Veterans bring a wealth of transferable skills to the elevator industry, which makes them highly sought after by employers. Many roles in elevator installation, maintenance, service, and repair require technical expertise, mechanical aptitude, and the ability to adhere to strict safety protocols — skills that military personnel cultivate extensively during their service.

The teamwork, discipline, and leadership inherent in military culture make careers in the elevator industry and other building trades a natural fit for Veterans transitioning back to civilian life. They are adept at learning new skills and technologies, troubleshooting under pressure, following directions, adapting to challenging situations, and collaborating effectively, making them valuable assets to IUEC-affiliated elevator companies.

Industry Demand for Skilled Labor

There is and will continue to be a growing demand for well-trained elevator professionals in the industry. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities for elevator constructors are projected to increase steadily in the coming years. This growth, along with the camaraderie of a union, the focus on working safely as a team, and the comprehensive benefits package IUEC elevator constructors receive, makes the elevator industry an appealing choice for Veterans seeking long-term, stable careers.

Training and Certification Paths

Transitioning into the elevator industry involves specialized training and earning certifications in skills important in the trade. Along with other new elevator constructors, as soon as they begin work, they are enrolled in the IUEC’s National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), which provides hands-on training in industry-specific electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical systems. As a USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program, NEIEP allows Veterans to “earn while they learn,” building careers without the burden of traditional college debt.

Additionally, IUEC elevator constructor apprentices who are military Veterans are often eligible for VA education benefits while they attend classroom and online courses as they work toward their mechanic’s license. The IUEC-VAP National Director of Programs and Education, Local area VAP committees, and Business Managers and Agents work together to facilitate the process for Veterans applying for these benefits.

“As a Veteran, we know how difficult it is to work through the paperwork and try to identify what’s out there for us to use. So oftentimes, we spend hours on the internet to try to find the answers. I’ve talked with so many apprentices who are Veterans (who) because it was an apprenticeship, and it was on-the-job training, they didn’t know that they qualified for the GI Bill*. And with that, the VAP is really working to ensure that they have access, and spreading the awareness that they can access those GI Bill* funds,” he said.

Success Stories: Veterans Thriving in the Industry

Many Veterans have successfully transitioned into the elevator industry and have found fulfilling careers. Former service members have climbed the ranks to become high-level elevator and escalator adjusters, project managers, company executives, and have held leadership positions in their Locals. Their capacity to lead teams, manage intricate operations, and maintain a mission-focused mindset has enabled them to excel in this dynamic industry.

Employer Support and Hiring Initiatives

Many companies across the building trades actively recruit Veterans, acknowledging their strong work ethic and specialized skill sets. Industry leaders have launched Veteran hiring initiatives, mentorship programs, and partnerships with military transition organizations to help Veterans seamlessly transition into the workforce.

The IUEC partners with programs like Helmets to Hardhats to support Veterans as they transition back to civilian life – and the IUEC-VAP was designed to pick up where Helmets to Hardhats leaves off, assisting Veterans and their families in applying for the VA education benefits and disability benefits they earned through their military service.

“At H2H, our direct focus is that Veteran recruitment pipeline, right? We’re really good at doing that outreach, educating them, and getting them these different training centers and Locals throughout the United States; that Local really has to take the charge after that by educating them and giving them a little bit of a helping hand to get them through that process – it can be a little bit of process working with the VA and understanding all the benefits out there,” said Martin Helms, Helmets to Hardhats’ Executive Director.

Elevating Veterans’ Futures

As more industries acknowledge the advantages of hiring former military personnel for the technical skills and leadership qualities they bring, opportunities for Veterans in the elevator industry will continue to expand. For Veterans seeking a rewarding and stable career, the elevator industry presents a promising path. With a robust job market, valuable training opportunities, and a culture that values discipline and leadership, Veterans are not just finding jobs – they’re elevating their futures.

How Local Area Committees Can Help

The IUEC-VAP Local Area Committees will play a very important role in helping IUEC Veterans and their families apply for and obtain the education and disability benefits they earned through their military service.

“The more people we can bring into the system, the more people we can help,” said Jason Gray. “So we’re really asking for help from the locals to reach out, talk to your Veterans, let them know what’s going on, they can in turn contact us. If they have questions, we’re more than willing to explain to them what our plans are, what we hope the program will become, and in the future grow this thing as large as we possibly can, but we definitely need the help of all the locals out there to spread the word and let our Veterans know we’re here for them.”

National Co-Chairman Ryan Donnell explained that the role of these committees goes beyond those initial “Your local Veterans committees can be more than just bringing information to us,” he said. “You all can form your own events, you can have your Toys for Tots drives, Veterans committees – Locals across the country have done these sort of things… you want to try to inspire some fun activities, if nothing more than getting the guys to know each other and know who the fellow Veterans are, who their fellow coworkers are, and promote some camaraderie in that way.”

For more information about the IUEC-VAP, visit https://www.iuec.org/index.php/veterans-assistance-program/.

If you are a Veteran or Veteran spouse who wants to register for the program, fill out the VAP form in the back of the Elevator Constructor journal or email va*@**ec.org with your name and contact information, International Union number, ULink ID, branch of military service, years served, and rank.

*Registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)

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Wire Rope Replacement for Elevators: How to Know When It’s Time

Elevator ropes showing excessive wear banner

If you are the owner or manager of an industrial or commercial building with elevators, you know how important it is to be proactive when it comes to maintenance. In the same way, you wouldn’t neglect to change flickering lightbulbs in a hallway and risk leaving your customers, clients, or tenants in the dark, you must stay on top of repair issues with your elevator systems. If you don’t address problems when they start, they can become unmanageable, affecting passenger safety and ride quality over time. 

An image of a traction/electric elevator system, where the cab and counterweight are suspended by elevator ropes or cables.

If the elevators in your building are of the electric/traction or winding drum type, the elevator cab is suspended by a series of ropes, belts, or cables, which are referred to as “suspension means” (as shown in the diagram). 

Regardless of a building’s height, the most common type of elevator suspension means are wire ropes. There are also elevators that use different types of suspension means, including non-circular elastomeric-coated steel belts and aramid fiber ropes – these have different criteria for replacement. For the purposes of this article, we will focus on wire ropes.

The type of suspension means used and the number of ropes or belts that suspend an elevator in its hoistway are determined by the elevator’s speed, capacity, and traction. The more cables are used, the more traction is applied to the sheave. Unless your elevator system uses a winding drum machine (which is an older technology), code requires a minimum of three ropes. A three-rope suspension system is typically found in low-rise, low-speed installations. Some high-rise, high-speed electric/traction elevator systems can use up to eight ropes. 

It’s important to know that for safety reasons, building codes require that any time a rope replacement project on an elevator is implemented, you cannot replace only one of its ropes – all the existing ropes on that elevator must be replaced with new ropes at the same time. Elevator ropes that have previously been used can never be used as replacement ropes. 

Some things you may notice that indicate you should ask your elevator maintenance specialist if it’s time for suspension means to be replaced include:

  • Rouging. Elevator ropes are constructed of wire strands wrapped around an oil-saturated hemp core. If the core begins to deteriorate and dry up, it turns into a powder. This causes the wire strands that surround it to lose lubrication and begin to rust. The rust collects in piles of reddish-orange dust that you may see in the machine room or on the floor sills. 
  • Vibration or unusual noises, such as a slapping or wobbling sound coming from your system. If cables are becoming stretched out, or if the grooves that hold them in the sheave are wearing unevenly, the cables may loosen, causing them to wobble or bump into the walls or other cables.
  • Pieces of broken cable on the floor underneath the sheave in the machine room. 
  • Metallic shavings or dust around the drivers or sheave in the machine room.
Elevator cable with broken lay

This image shows elevator ropes with a broken lay. This is extremely dangerous – the integrity of the cable is compromised, and the elevator should be shut down immediately. In addition to being a serious safety hazard to passengers, this type of damage to one rope will cause the elevator’s other ropes to be damaged as well.

Elevator ropes showing excessive wear

Elevator ropes showing excessive wear

Remember – for safety reasons, you should never get too close to your elevator system, especially while it is in service.  If you notice any of the things listed above, notify your elevator maintenance professional, who will inspect your elevator system. In addition to checking out the problems you’ve reported, they will measure the diameter of your wire ropes. If the ropes are found to have experienced excessive wear (as shown in the picture) or have decreased in diameter, they will need to be replaced. 

Depending on the severity of the problems, the elevator will either be shut down immediately or a rope replacement job will be scheduled for the near future. What could cause your elevator to be shut down right away? Issues that could cause an immediate risk to the people who ride the elevator – such as slipping traction, which is when the elevator motor is turning the drive sheave, and the cables don’t have the traction required to control the movement of the elevator. In most cases, however, as long as problems with the ropes are identified before they affect operation and/or ride quality, rope replacement can be scheduled for some time in the near future (always check with your elevator mechanic, elevator consultant, or elevator inspector).

Early detection will help ensure the safety of the people who ride the elevator as well as prolongs the life of your conveyance equipment. Again – for safety reasons, you should never get too close to your elevator system yourself, especially while it is in service.  Scheduling regular periodic inspection and testing of your elevator systems by a trained and skilled IUEC elevator mechanic will protect your passengers and your investment. Whether or not your jurisdiction mandates a Maintenance Control Program be in place for your elevators and escalators, it is the best way to ensure that problems are identified and addressed before they cause an unplanned service outage. 

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IUEC Showcases Wind Industry Work at National ACP Conference

Last spring, representatives from the International Union of Elevator Constructors attended the American Clean Power (ACP)’s Operations, Maintenance and Safety Conference in San Diego, California.

“We’ve been coming to this conference for about 13 years. Today they’re gathering people from all over the world,” said Carisa Barrett, National Coordinator for the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF).

According to ACP’s 2024 recap, more than 1,500 attendees and 140 exhibitors gathered at the conference to talk about retention strategies, recruitment techniques and training best practices in an effort to make the wind industry stronger and safer.[1]

Most people from outside the wind industry don’t realize that there are elevators inside both land-based and offshore wind turbine towers. Their purpose? To transport the technicians who maintain and repair the nacelle units that harness the energy generated by the blades and convert it into electricity. Nacelle technicians carry heavy bags of tools and diagnostic equipment up with them to the top of the towers, which typically reach heights of 300-500 feet.

While wind technicians are trained for and skilled at their work on the nacelle units they service, to work on the elevator units within the wind towers. That’s where IUEC elevator constructors come in. Elevator constructors from IUEC-affiliated companies work on wind turbine elevator systems across the United States, including those at the Block Island Wind Farm in Rhode Island – the country’s first commercial offshore wind farm.

Their work includes:

  • Installation
  • Modernization
  • Retrofitting
  • Maintenance
  • Repair
  • Jurisdiction compliance inspection

“If it moves horizontally or vertically, we do it. We move people and equipment, including cars and heavy materials. And wind turbines, especially since they’re getting bigger now, they’re starting to put elevators in all of them. And our folks are the ones that are properly skilled and trained to work on the different types of equipment that are used for elevators in the wind turbines,” said Vance Ayres, National Organizer and Director of Wind Turbine Affairs for the International Union of Elevator Constructors.

Elevator technicians in the IUEC receive the most comprehensive, safety-focused foundational training in the elevator industry through a four-plus year USDOL-Registered Apprenticeship administered by the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). Apprentices must complete 8 semesters of college-level classroom training with hands-on practical labs, log 8,000 hours of on-the-job learning under the supervision of a journeyman mechanic, and pass a capstone examination in order to graduate with mechanic status. During their time in the apprenticeship program, IUEC members also earn trade certifications such as OSHA 10-hour for General Industry, American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, Competent Person training for Framed and Suspended Scaffolding (through the SAIA), and industry-specific crane rigging and signaling.

“We’re the best in the world at what we do, the most highly skilled trades folks, the safest group, efficient, on time, because of our skilled training. We’ve expanded our educational (offerings) more toward the wind turbine industry itself, both onshore and offshore,” Ayres continued.

Through a collaborative learning program with Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT, IUEC elevator constructors from all over the United States have completed Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Training. Elevator technicians/constructors who work on onshore and offshore wind turbine elevators can become certified in the following areas:

  • GWO BST-1005 Basic Safety Training
  • GWO BST-WAH-1002 Work at Height
  • GWO BST-MH-102 Manual Handling
  • GWO BST-FA-2002 Medic First Aid + Trauma
  • GWO BST-FA-101 Fire Awareness
  • GWO-SS GWO Sea Survival
  • GWO-EFA Enhanced First Aid
  • GWO-ART Advanced Rescue Training

When asked why IUEC elevator mechanics are the best choice to perform work on wind turbine elevators, Nick Moore, IUEC Local 8 Organizer, explains it this way: “We are the ones that could safely perform this work. We are the ones that could adapt to this work the easiest.”

“That’s what we do. We do elevators. We know every aspect of elevators inside and out. We have an apprenticeship program that trains us from A to Z,” Barrett continued.

Stop by the IUEC booth to speak with Vance Ayres, Carisa Barrett, and other elevator industry representatives at these upcoming conferences:

  • ACP O&M 2025, March 3-5, Nashville TN
  • IPF Offshore 2025, April 28-May 1, Virginia Beach VA
  • ACP Cleanpower 2025, May 19-22, Phoenix AZ
  • ACP Offshore 2025, October 6-8, Boston MA

To learn more about the work IUEC elevator constructors are doing in the wind industry and why their experience, education, and training makes them the best choice to work on this specialized equipment, visit https://www.elevatorinfo.org/wind-turbine-elevators/

 

[1] https://cleanpower.org/oms/2024-recap/

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IUEC Local 4 Celebrates 125 Years of Bringing Boston to the Top

Recently, the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) Local 4 celebrated their 125th anniversary with a dinner and dance at Boston’s Omni Seaport Hotel. Members, families, and friends of Local 4, along with leadership from IUEC international offices, building owners, company owners, and individuals from IUEC Locals across the United States and Canada – gathered together to celebrate this important and remarkable milestone.

Formed in Boston, Massachusetts, in February of 1899, Local 4 now has over 1,250 elevator constructors working at IUEC signatory companies including the nation’s largest and most recognizable names such as TK Elevator, Kone, Otis, Schindler, Mitsubishi, and Fujitec – along with smaller independent elevator companies like Stanley Elevator, Atlantic Elevator (North and South), 3 Phase, and Metro Elevator New England.

Business Manager and Financial Secretary Pat Sampson told ElevatorInfo that Local 4’s jurisdiction covers a lot more than most people think – not only the greater Boston region, but from the tip of Cape Cod all the way up to Maine and New Hampshire, and extending about 45 miles west to Interstate 495 in Massachusetts.

“There’s just a certain vibe you get from working in the city of Boston – the city of champions as some people like to call it – as opposed to anywhere else,” said Tim Morgan, an IUEC National Organizer who served as the Business Manager of Local 4 from 2019-2024.

Because of the strength of their education program, their unwavering dedication to jobsite safety, and a culture of craftsmanship and professionalism, Local 4 members have been the top choice for building owners and managers to install, service, maintain, repair, and inspect elevators and escalators in Boston and beyond, performing “about 98% of the work here,” said Doug Cullington, President of Local 4. “We believe in unionism, safety, and training, and that’s what keeps us strong.”

“No matter where you’re going in the streets of Boston you run into an elevator constructor you get a hello. It’s the best group of men and women in the industry,” said Dave Morgan, a Local 4 member and former Business Manager who is now the Executive Director for the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). “Family is a lot of things, you know, and the brothers and sisters of Local 4 make up a great family.”

While many elevator constructors from Local 4 who have held leadership positions at the Local have become leaders at the international level, all maintain that sense of pride in where they came from.

“I’m a Local 4 Boston Elevator Mechanic first and foremost. That’s the core of who I am,” said IUEC Regional Director Kevin McGettigan. “Local 4 and this international is very, very strong. It has a commitment to its membership, and everybody needs to celebrate that commitment, and we all need to support each other. You need help from your friends? That’s what we are. We’re your friends.”

Tim Morgan spoke about how past leadership in Local 4 set a high standard that remains a core part of the culture of the Local to this day. “I obviously had the best mentor – my father (Bob Morgan) – and what I like to call the dream team of leadership – Eddie Sullivan, Frank McGettigan and Larry Graham. Moving on, I think the leadership that followed was just an extension of them because everybody held the same standards and the same qualities moving forward. So Steve Sampson, Kevin (McGettigan), and even my brother, Dave Morgan…I was just following what I was taught from those gentlemen.”

IUEC General President Frank Christensen, IUEC General President Emeritus / AFL-CIO Building & Construction Trades President Emeritus Ed Sullivan, and former US Secretary of Labor / former Boston Mayor Marty Walsh were all featured speakers. People attending the event enjoyed live entertainment from a nine-piece orchestra, a 360-degree photo booth, and the Boston Bruins’ own Todd Angeli singing the National Anthem.

Ed Sullivan was a keynote speaker at the event. He joined IUEC Local 4 in 1964 as an elevator mechanic, working as a construction mechanic and service adjuster for 17 years. He then became the Business Manager of the Local in 1981, and in 1996 moved on to international leadership positions in the IUEC including Assistant General President and General President before accepting a position as President of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO. During his tenure at AFL-CIO, he started the Helmets to Hardhats program, which helps United States military Veterans transition to careers in the building trades. He was also a founder of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, a nonprofit organization with a mission “to unite the union community through conservation to preserve North America’s outdoor heritage.”

During his speech, Ed Sullivan read a poem called “The Caretaker” by Murray Kempton, which exemplified his thoughts on what it means to be a union leader. “Not the owner of an institution, (but) the caretaker of a tradition,” he said. “The union doesn’t belong to you. It doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to all of those that belong to it … I think basically that’s what I tried to do, live my life like that, live my job like that. And I that’s what they’re doing today… the principles that they have. And that’s what I think has made the union what it is today.”

He continued, “I’m incredibly proud and grateful for the lifelong friendships that I made through Local 4, and I’m incredibly proud that we helped make the IUEC the best labor union in the entire world,” he said. “I’m proud to be here at this celebration. I was at the 90th and the 100th anniversary… I’m proud of what they do here.”

IUEC General President Frank Christensen was also a featured speaker at the anniversary.  He congratulated the Local on their longevity and success, and thanked Ed Sullivan for being a mentor. “If I’m ever going to look at a labor leader, somebody with honor that they have pride for…he took me under his wing in the early 90s,” he said. “He’s always somebody I look up to, always somebody I ask for advice.”

Marty Walsh, former US Secretary of Labor and former Mayor of the city of Boston, spoke about Ed Sullivan as not only “a labor leader, but he’s more than that in this country. He means a lot for the labor movement.”

An important labor leader with Boston roots himself – and the founder of the Building Pathways pre-apprenticeship program – Marty Walsh has had a long-standing relationship with Local 4. He spoke about their strength and the importance of honoring history and the people who made it possible for them to be the successful, long-standing organization that they are.

“Any organization that starts, and 125 years later is stronger than it was when it began, is a success,” he said. “You think about the importance of this Local union…the benefits you have, the healthcare you have the pension you have, the working conditions you have… we’re standing on the shoulders of individuals who started this Local union, and the people that were there in the beginning days fighting for all of the things that didn’t exist when this Local was created. It’s our obligation as union members, as union families, to continue that and pass that torch forward.”

Local 4 President Doug Cullington agreed.  “Local 4 has been around for a really long time,” he said. “It goes all the way back to our retirees, our founding members, our founding brothers and sisters that worked hard in the trade. We believe in a good work ethic. We believe in a good product. And with that work ethic, it continues through with the officers and the local. And we believe that everything that we’ve done in the past is done the right way and proper, and we’re bringing that right through to future.”

While in Boston, we also had the opportunity to speak with Steve Sampson, who served as Business Manager from 1999-2003. Today, in his retirement, he works as an instructor for Local 4’s NEIEP apprenticeship program, where he passes on his technical expertise as well as his leadership experience to apprentices just beginning their careers in the trade.

“I was very fortunate, as a Business Manager, when we had the 100th anniversary here in Boston – I thought that was just spectacular, all of the members and their families getting together and just having a wonderful time and being appreciative of the Local for what they’ve done for us. And now we come to 125th anniversary… these members today are so lucky to have such a great union, and to be able to celebrate its 125th anniversary. It’s just amazing.”

Congratulations, Local 4. In the words of Marty Walsh, “let’s keep kicking ass and get another 125 years of this union in this country.”

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Avoiding Elevator Accidents: Strategies for Building Owners and Managers

Avoiding Elevator Accidents banner

Elevators in commercial and residential buildings are designed to operate safely, yet accidents can still happen. If you are a building owner or manager, it is your responsibility to make sure that accidents are avoided, and that the people who rely on the vertical transportation equipment in your commercial, industrial, or private residential facility can get to their destinations safely, quickly, and reliably.

Injuries to the riding public are thankfully rare, because elevators (properly maintained) are equipped with features that allow them to “fail safely”- that is, to shut down in a manner that keeps riders safe while they are inside or outside of the elevator cab itself. But being stuck in an elevator is stressful for riders, and unanticipated trouble calls or shutdowns can be a headache for you, so you need to take proactive steps to prevent them.

Below we’ll highlight some of the most common causes of elevator accidents today, as well as the best ways you as a building owner or manager can minimize their impact to your vertical transportation systems.

OLDER ELEVATORS IN NEED OF MODERNIZATION

Old, outdated systems that have not been modernized are a top cause of elevator accidents. If older elevator units are not properly maintained or updated, you are at risk of an equipment shutdown at best – or an injury to a passenger, at worst.

Think about it – all types of machinery, including cars, computers, and kitchen appliances – have a lifespan. Elevators don’t often need to be completely replaced, but their internal systems need to be periodically brought up to speed. As a general rule, if your elevator is an older model (particularly 20+ years), you should consider modernizing your system to ensure the safest and most efficient ride for your passengers.

The most common signs that an elevator upgrade is needed include: 1) Unreliable service; 2) Frequent shutdowns or entrapments; 3) Code violations; 4) Excessive wear; 5) Inability to acquire replacement parts; 6) Excessive energy consumption.

Modernizing your traction elevator system with an energy-efficient regenerative drive will increase its energy efficiency and reduce its energy consumption. The tallest office building in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada recently underwent an overhaul of its 30-year-old elevators which included the installation of sustainable regenerative drives; you can read about that project here.

LEVELING ISSUES

When the elevator comes to a stop at a floor in your building, the floor of the elevator cab should always be even with the floor of the building. Improper leveling is another common issue that could lead to accidents. ASME building code regulations mandate that elevators should always be properly level within the appropriate tolerance to avoid a significant tripping hazard for people stepping in and out of the elevator.

PROBLEMS WITH ELEVATOR DOORS

While a variety of factors could contribute toward a problem with an older elevator, one common issue elevator technicians see is related to “safe edges”. A safe edge is a mechanical retracting device that prevents the elevator doors from closing on a passenger. If the safe edges on your older elevator’s doors fail, the doors may not reopen, trapping passengers and necessitating an unplanned service call to your elevator company.

Modern elevator systems use an infrared alternative called a door screen. These devices are invisible beams that when “broken” communicate to the elevator controller system that someone has approached the car threshold, allowing passengers to get on and off the elevator safely without the risk of being hit by the door. Upgrading a door with a safe edge system to a door screen system can save you time and money in the long run.

Building code requires both a maximum and a minimum force for when elevator doors are closing. It’s important to include regular maintenance of doors in your Maintenance Control Program (MCP) to avoid a door screen failure. In these instances, the doors may strike the passenger(s), possibly causing injury. This potential outcome is of specific concern/consideration in nursing homes, where riders may be less mobile or agile in movement.

Common causes of door screen failures include dirty screens and general abuse (such as when loading an elevator with a cart/dolly that knocks into the door screen) of the unit itself. If you as a building owner and or manager observe any type of failures with the doors, call your elevator company for immediate repairs. As with all aspects of your elevator unit, it’s imperative to stay as up-to-date as possible on maintenance.

LACK OF BARRICADES

The intention of barricades is to clearly mark an area where construction or maintenance is taking place, as well as to prevent people from entering an active work area. Barricades not only keep the public safe, but the maintenance personnel that are working on the unit, too.

It’s especially important for barricades to be installed properly around your elevator and escalator equipment, because a lack of barricades could involve the potential for falls down the hoistway or into an escalator well during ongoing installation or maintenance work. An unsuspecting individual could enter the area unknowingly and have a catastrophic accident.

Barricades are a simple, preventative, low-cost measure that should never be neglected.

SUDDEN STOPS

If you’ve ever been riding in an elevator and it comes to an abrupt stop, this may mean there is a wear-and-tear maintenance issue with your conveyance; when this happens, it activates fail-safe measures to shut off the power to the unit and immediately stop the elevator from traveling up or down the hoistway. However, because it stops so abruptly in this scenario, it can create a brief sensation of falling (even though it is NOT falling!). This can understandably cause alarm, confusion, or concern on the part of passengers.

The best way to mitigate this potential situation – as well as to avoid any of the other accidents described earlier in this article – is to work with your elevator company to set up a proactive Maintenance Control Program (MCP) for your building.

HOW A MAINTENANCE CONTROL PROGRAM (MCP) CAN HELP

An MCP is a documented set of maintenance tasks, maintenance procedures, examinations, and tests to ensure that the equipment runs smoothly and is maintained in compliance with the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the National Electric Code (NEC), and other building code requirements for your specific jurisdiction.

A Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is absolutely necessary for the ongoing reliability and safety of your elevator(s). It would include (but not be limited to) scheduled inspection and routine maintenance of the following:

  • Ropes/belts or hydraulics
  • Doors
  • Brakes
  • Sheaves
  • Roller guides
  • Lighting
  • Pushbuttons
  • Phone / 2-way communication device
  • Stop switches
  • Inspection switches

Ultimately, think of an MCP as a blueprint – a manufacturer’s recommendation for properly maintaining your equipment. It also serves as a record of everything that has been done to the conveyance, including inspection and testing.

THE IMPORTANCE OF HIRING HIGHLY-TRAINED MECHANICS

As building owners/managers, the importance of hiring the best trained elevator professionals to ensure the ongoing safety of your passengers cannot be overstated. When you partner with an IUEC-affiliated elevator company, you have the security of knowing that the people working on your equipment have been through the most respected education program in the elevator industry.

The National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) requires all IUEC elevator constructor apprentices to complete eight semesters of college-level training with hands-on lab equipment, log 8,000 hours of work supervised by an experienced mechanic, and pass a capstone mechanic exam to achieve journeyman status.

CONCLUSION

While common elevator accidents range in degrees of severity and implications, each impacts the same thing: the safety of your passengers and the reliability of your equipment.

So, what should building owners and managers be on the lookout for? Below are some practical steps and solutions that you can take to ultimately prevent elevator accidents for you and your employees, customers, tenants, students, residents, patients, and guests:

  • Deliberate, careful design and installation. Use great care when planning for the design and installation of your building’s elevator(s). Choosing companies with a reputation for quality and excellence – specifically IUEC signatory companies – will set you up for success for years to come.
  • Ask your elevator company to set up a Maintenance Control Program (MCP) for your building or facility. An MCP delineates the maintenance tasks your elevator company will perform on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly) in accordance with your elevator equipment manufacturer’s specifications. This will increase your equipment’s lifespan and greatly reduce the possibility of unanticipated shutdowns.
  • Choose companies that employ trained elevator constructors. This cannot be overstated. Building owners and managers must ensure that the people who are working on their sensitive, high-tech equipment have the advanced training needed to do the job right. The easiest and most effective way to do this is to only hire IUEC signatory elevator companies.
  • Encourage proactive regulation. Building owners should seek out opportunities to engage with local city/state legislatures and regulators to ensure proper inspections, testing, education, and everything impacting the elevator industry gets properly codified when it comes to their conveyance systems. Visit the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund website to learn more about regulations in your area.
  • If you see (or hear) something, say something. If something seems off, call your elevator maintenance company. Strange noises, unusually long wait times, or reports of elevators stopping at the wrong floors should always be checked out. Reports of poor-quality rides or erratic door operation are also signs that maintenance should be prioritized.
  • Respond quickly if accidents happen. If an accident happens, assess the situation. If necessary, call your local emergency services first, and then report it to your elevator maintenance company. If there is an entrapment, call your elevator company and then find where in the building the elevator has stopped in order to speak directly with the trapped occupants. Tell them to stay calm, reassure them that help is on the way, and point out that there is plenty of ventilation. Under no circumstances should they try to escape themselves – there’s a high risk of injury if they do, and if a stopped system starts up again unexpectedly, it could lead to a tragedy. It is always much safer to remain inside the elevator until help arrives.

At the end of the day, as the owner or manager of a building or facility equipped with vertical transportation equipment, the safety of your building’s passengers is your highest priority. Knowing how to prevent common elevator accidents and minimize their impact if they should occur is key to establishing a safe, efficient, and reliable experience for the riding public.

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How IUEC Elevator Constructors Keep Notre Dame University Moving Safely

“I would say they’re the best in the industry,” said Tony Polotto, Senior Director of Construction and Quality Assurance for the University of Notre Dame, speaking about the IUEC elevator constructors who install, maintain, repair, and inspect the university’s vertical transportation equipment.  “The mechanics that we get – the technicians and the workmanship that we get from the organization – is top notch.”

 

Established in 1842, the University of Notre Dame is located in South Bend, Indiana. It has grown to encompass almost 200 buildings with 11,000,000 square feet under their collective roofs. Tony told us that on a typical day during the school year, there will be about 8,500 students and 5,800 employees somewhere on the university’s grounds. And while the football stadium holds 80,000 spectators, it’s not uncommon for 150,000 visitors to show up on game day to tailgate and enjoy the campus and the camaraderie with their friends and family.

“The University of Notre Dame historically has completed about $100 million in construction per year. I think by the last count we have over 254 elevators on campus that consistently need to operate. So the elevators are widely used – not just for passengers, but freight, and also day-to-day operations,” he said.

Between the campus, grounds, and football stadium, the elevators at the University of Notre Dame move hundreds of thousands of people every year. It’s critically important that Notre Dame’s vertical transportation equipment runs smoothly, reliably, and above all, safely. Ensuring consistent, reliable service for students, faculty, athletes, and staff through the historic buildings on campus is essential, so the university has made ongoing preventive elevator maintenance a priority.

“There are several buildings on campus that only have one elevator. If it goes down and we have a special needs person in that building, (there are) consequences to that. So the elevator program – to make sure that they’re in good functionality and there’s a good program for maintenance and a good program for renewal and replacement, is top priority for the university.”

Working with an IUEC-affiliated company, a reliable maintenance control program (MCP) was simple to set up and implement.

“We visit each elevator out here every month. Some of them we visit twice a month,” said Randy Soper, a service mechanic at Notre Dame University and member of IUEC Local 44, who services and maintains the elevators on campus. Randy has been working on the university’s elevators since 2019, so he understands how important it is to keep the conveyance equipment up and running for the students, faculty, athletes, staff, and visitors who rely on it every day.

“The sooner you can catch a problem before it becomes a problem where someone can be stuck, the better off it is,” he said.

Bethany Wilson, another IUEC service mechanic out of Local 44, has worked with Randy on the elevator systems at Notre Dame. She shares Randy’s commitment to making sure the people on campus can go about their day without worrying if they are going to be able to get to where they need to go.

“The riding public doesn’t have to worry about it. You can go up to an elevator, you can push a button, and it just works. The doors open, they close, and you feel safe riding it, and you are safe riding it – and that’s because the work is completed by union elevator constructors who are and do it safely,” she said.

Safety is always a top priority for IUEC apprentices and mechanics. From the beginning of their apprenticeship at the industry’s most rigorous and respected training institute – the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) – to the time they are mechanics enrolled in NEIEP’s wide selection of continuing education courses online or in-person, to the ongoing safety training companies affiliated with the IUEC provides, the focus is on doing their work efficiently and safely.

While visiting Notre Dame, we also had a chance to catch up with Randy Kinder, who attended Notre Dame in the 90s and was a running back for the legendary Fighting Irish before moving on to positions with the Philadelphia Eagles and the Green Bay Packers, where he was a member of the Packers’ NFC Championship team in 1997.

“I got here as a freshman in 1993. I played football here and ran track for a year. I left here after playing football for four years and went on and had a very short but exciting career in the NFL,” he told us.

After leaving the NFL, Randy went on to build a new career in the investment industry. He worked for more than 20 years for the AFL-CIO Housing Investment Trust, and today works for Entrust Global. As an Executive Board Member of Holtz’s Heroes, a charitable organization founded by the University’s football alumni, he still visits the Notre Dame campus often. We spoke at length about his experience there as a student athlete, and about his reverence for his alma mater.

“I learned a lot here, and the things I learned at this university I’ve taken with me everywhere and they still hold true,” he said. “You’re expected to be excellent both on the field and off. It’s not about being perfect, but about continuing to seek perfection, continuing to seek excellence. That’s something I learned definitely here on the campus of Notre Dame.”

He continued, “There’s a level of excellence and expectation that is live on this campus, the work that the elevator constructors do, that all of the workers on this campus do, is key and paramount to making sure that level of excellence is always there… at places like Notre Dame, you just take for granted how well things go. You take for granted that the dining hall is going to be operating the right way so that you can grab food at any point after a late practice where it may be. You take for granted that when you walk into your building you can get up to your dorm.”

Tony told us he is pleased with his experience working with IUEC mechanics, who he considers an important part of the Notre Dame community. “They are true Notre Dame people… they’re top-grade mechanics that have been at this university for a long time. They have wonderful camaraderie and relationships with all the other contractors, our building managers, and our supervisors.”

“Their technical skills are amazing,” he continued. “I can’t remember the last time we had a failure with an elevator, new or renovation, that they couldn’t quickly address. And it’s the reliability of knowing what you’re going to get, and, basically, not having to worry about what’s behind the curtain.”

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IUEC Veterans Assistance Program Summit Held in Warwick, RI

IUEC-VAP Summit 2024

The first International Union of Elevator Constructors Veterans Assistance Program (IUEC-VAP) Summit was held October 2-3, 2024, at the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) Instructor Training Center in Warwick, RI.

 

Led by IUEC-VAP National Chairman Jason Gray (IUEC) via video, along with IUEC-VAP National Co-Chairman Ryan Donnell (EIWPF), Ben Valinsky (NEIEP), IUEC-VAP National Director of Programs and Education, and Jeff Handibode (NEIEP), IUEC-VAP National Claims and Disabilities Liaison, the two-day event was moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster, a consultant to the program who brings extensive experience in Veterans training and work programs for governmental, nonprofit, and labor organizations.

NEIEP’s Executive Director David Morgan launched the day’s events with an introduction to the IUEC VAP’s mission and goals.

Presentations and panel discussions included:

  • An overview of the program, led by Ryan Donnell (EIWPF), IUEC-VAP National Co-Chairman, Ben Valinsky (NEIEP), and Will Attig, Union Veterans Council
  • Colonel (Ret.) John Fenzel, US Army Special Forces with a presentation on leadership, resilience, and service to the nation
  • A talk on mental health and wellness moderated by Sam Whitehurst, Vice President, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, and including Ben Valinsky, Ryan Donnell, and Mike Hazard, Veterans in Piping (VIP), United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters
  • A panel on IUEC Government Agency Support moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster and featuring a virtual appearance by Kris Rick, U.S. DOL VETS
  • A panel on IUEC claims and disabilities moderated by Jeff Handibode, IUEC-VAP National Claims and Disabilities Liaison and featuring Kevin O’Neil, American Legion, Senior Policy Associate, Alexander Yukna, Disabled American Veterans, DSO, and Kiesha Currin, Senior Veterans Claims Examiner from the Muskogee Regional Office, RI Veterans Affairs
  • Guest speaker Colonel Jarrett Thomas, Director, US Army Soldier for Life
  • A panel on union-Veteran partnerships moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster and featuring Martin Helms, Executive Director, Helmets to Hardhats (Virtual), Sam Whitehurst, Vice-President, Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, and Ryan Donnell, IUEC VAP National Co-Chairman
  • A panel on Women in the Military / Women in the Trades moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster and featuring MSG Lorena Wilson, US Army Soldier for Life, Sarah Caughey, NEIEP Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Ryan Donnell IUEC-VAP National Co-Chair
  • A keynote speech by Phyllis Wilson, President, Military Women’s National Memorial, on honoring and empowering women Veterans in their post-service careers
  • A panel on GI benefits and IUEC apprenticeship moderated by Jeff Handibode, IUEC-VAP National Claims and Disabilities Liaison, and featuring Ben Valinsky (NEIEP), IUEC VAP National Director for Programs and Education, and Ryan Donnell (EIWPF), IUEC-VAP National Co-Chairman
  • A panel on legislation and Veteran advocacy moderated by Elizabeth Belcaster and featuring Matthew Watson, IUEC-VAP Boston / Tri Nguyen and Sean O’Connell Leave Act, Kevin O’Neil, Senior Policy Associate, American Legion Representative – Legion Legislative, Ben Valinsky – IUEC-VAP National Director of Programs and Education, and a virtual appearance by Will Attig, National Director, AFL-CIO Union Veterans Council
  • A fireside chat / IUEC-VAP team discussion on “The Way Ahead” featuring IUEC-VAP National Co-Chairman Ryan Donnell, IUEC-VAP National Director of Programs and Education Ben Valinsky, and IUEC-VAP National Claims and Disabilities Liaison Jeff Handibode
  • John Caughey, NEIEP’s Assistant Director, leading a guided tour of the IUEC NEIEP facility to showcase NEIEP’s training programs, technologies, and resources

Both days concluded with Q&A sessions for attendees to interact with panelists for deeper discussions and feedback on the topics that were covered throughout the day.

The mission of the IUEC Veterans Assistance Program is “to honor the service and sacrifice of Veterans and their families within the IUEC by providing comprehensive assistance and support. Through tools, resources, awareness, and opportunities, the EC-VAP strives to empower Veterans and their families to thrive within the IUEC and their communities at large.”

Because the skills servicemembers learn in the military transfer well to careers in the building trades, many IUEC elevator constructors have military backgrounds. Programs like Helmets to Hardhats have been instrumental in helping Veterans transition to civilian careers in the elevator industry, and the Veterans Assistance Program aims to build on that success by helping IUEC Veterans and IUEC Veteran spouses apply for and access the education/GI Bill, disability, and other benefits they earned through their military service.

IUEC elevator constructor apprentices, mechanics, and retirees who are Veterans or spouses of Veterans may register for the program by filling out the VAP form located in the back of the Elevator Constructor journal or by emailing va*@**ec.org with their name and contact information, International Union number, ULink ID, branch of military service, years served, and rank.

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