News from Elevator Info

IUEC Supports Women Elevator Constructors at NABTU Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference

For 13 years, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) has been bringing together women who work in the building trades through the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference – now recognized as “the largest gathering of tradeswomen in the world”.

According to a recent news release from the International Union of Elevator Constructors’ Elevator Constructor Journal, over 100 sisters from the U.S. and Canada, along with allies in the trade, traveled to the United States capitol to represent the IUEC at the Tradeswomen Build Nations Conference. They were joined by General President Frank Christensen, Assistant General President (ret.) Jim Bender, General Secretary-Treasurer Larry McGann, and newly appointed Assistant General President Jim Chapman.

“I’ve been attending this conference since 2010, when it was named Women Build California,” said Carisa Barrett, National Coordinator for the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF). “That year, there were three other women elevator constructors in attendance – two were retired, and one was working in the field. In 2011, the year it became a national conference, IUEC president Frank Christensen appointed me to the NABTU Tradeswomen Committee. I am proud to be a part of the committee that puts this conference on each year – and I’m proud to say that the elevator constructors’ attendance breaks records every single year.”

She continued, “what started with just a few women elevator constructors has increased to over 100, along with men from the elevator trade who support us. IUEC leadership, EIWPF, NEIEP, Local Business Managers, and field brothers were all representing the IUEC this year. I’ve worked hard to get the information out to as many sisters as I can find, and to encourage each IUEC local to support their women who attend. I couldn’t be more proud of our leadership who support us and the women who are in our trade – they are some of the smartest, hardest-working women I’ve ever met. It takes a lot of courage and strength for women to make it in this industry, and we’ve got some of the best.”

This year’s conference featured presentations from some of North America’s most prominent labor leaders. Keynote speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. House Speaker Emerita and a longtime supporter of working people and the union building trades, brought the crowd to a standing ovation during her keynote speech as she exclaimed, “We don’t agonize – we organize, we unionize!”

AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler, who has been a part of the conference since its inception, described how its reach has grown exponentially through the years. “I was reflecting back and I have been a part of this event, like many of you, since it was in a small conference room at a hotel in California. And we didn’t have a parade route. We didn’t need a megaphone because we could just talk to each other in that room. We dreamed about filling a ballroom like this,” she said. “We have increased our numbers and our power, and what a testament that is to every single one of you who went back home from one of those conferences and brought someone else with you.”

NABTU President Sean McGarvey was also a featured speaker. “You are trailblazers and role models, and reflect what we honor and love about our unions,” he began, before going on to speak about new infrastructure developments in the union construction industry that will have a positive impact on women in the building trades.

McGarvey also talked about NABTU’s Tradeswomen Heroes program, which recognizes outstanding workers with strong leadership skills across the building trades. Since 2020, this award has highlighted the professionalism of many IUEC elevator constructors, including Carisa Barrett (Local 19 / EIWPF National Coordinator), Erin Hansen (Local 25), Aimee Paquette (Local 9 / NEIEP Area Coordinator), Yvonne White (Local 25), Bethany Wilson (Local 44), Blanca Rios (Local 133 / NEIEP Area Coordinator), Katy Grace Roper (Local 37), Lindsay Labrosse (Local 19), Nicole Wiet (Local 82), Tiffaney King (Local 140), and Ciara Mackrell (Local 1).

“I was really inspired by Sean McGarvey and the work that he’s done to bring the building and trades and the tradeswomen together, utilizing the resources that he has to build our infrastructure and to give opportunities to all,” said IUEC Assistant General President Jim Chapman.

In addition to the speakers, the conference also provided opportunities for networking and connection between women in the building trades and allies who support them, and hosted workshops on important issues including mentoring, federal policies, jobsite safety, childcare, improving communication on the jobsite, and financial management.

“So many things happen at this conference. For the newcomers, it’s a sense of empowerment and sisterhood and belonging that they get, when maybe it’s the first time they’ve ever met another woman in the trade – or they get built up by the different keynote speakers. Maybe they make friends with mentors, or lifetime co-workers across the nation, and/or other countries, that they can connect with when they’re working out there and need a good support system, said Kristi Savala, a National Coordinator for EIWPF.

Sarah Caughey, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), shared a similar point of view. “This gives them the opportunity to see that there’s a whole lot of women out there that are in the trades and there’s a sisterhood, and I think this is a great opportunity for everyone to come together and realize that and feel stronger than they would otherwise on the jobsite,” she said.

Recently retired IUEC Assistant General President Jim Bender emphasized how the networking opportunities the conference provides are an important part of getting the word out to women that there are opportunities for rewarding careers in the union building trades. “It’s a great income, great benefits. It’s just a great living in the building trades. (They) pay well, you have a union representation – those are the most important things I think for them to get that message out to other women.” This is especially true in the union elevator trade, where the IUEC benefits plans in the United States and Canada are among the most comprehensive in North America.

It wasn’t just IUEC sisters from the U.S. who attended; IUEC members from Canadian Locals traveled across the border to the conference in Washington, D.C., as well. IUEC Local 50, based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada was represented by several sisters. “We both work for Local 50 and we actually work together,” said Cindy-Sue Beauregard, who spoke to ElevatorInfo along with fellow IUEC Local 50 sister Tamara Fernandez. “We’re the first all-female new construction team.”

Helmets to Hardhats, a nonprofit organization that helps military Veterans transition to careers in the building trades, hosted an information booth at the conference to connect with women who could benefit from the services H2H provides. “We recruit service members and in the military there’s a lot of females specific to this event,” said Martin Helms, the organization’s Executive Director. “There are great candidates, we need women involved in the trades and this is a great source to let them know that we’re a program that’s out there.”

“All three of the general officers of the IUEC are at this conference this year which is a real affirmation of the importance of this issue, the importance of women, the importance of diversity, the importance of lifting everybody up who is a member of the IUEC and a future member of the IUEC,” said Jennifer Simon, an attorney with O’Donoghue & O’Donoghue who has for years provided legal counsel for the IUEC and related entities. “The leadership of this organization I believe has moved the IUEC forward in so many ways already, and recognizes that there is so much important work to still do.”

“We have women coming in, they’re going to be instructors, they’re going to be presidents, they’re going to be directors,” said NEIEP Area Coordinator Aimee Paquette, a member of IUEC Local 9 with 26 years’ experience in the elevator trade. “17 years ago when I started teaching, I thought I was going to be the only one forever. So we’ve come a long way.”

February 15, 2024/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

Preventing Home Elevator Accidents

Installing a home elevator can increase both accessibility and convenience in a home. Home elevators can provide much-needed help for people with mobility issues as they ascend and descend stairs throughout the day. At the same time, however, home elevators can pose risks, especially when homeowners don’t take steps to educate themselves and their household members on ways to avoid home elevator accidents.

Let’s take a look at a few of these preventative methods, mention some incidents that have occurred in recent years, and equip homeowners with ways to prevent home elevator accidents.

Risks Posed by Home Elevators

Home elevators can introduce a host of potential elevator-related incidents and injuries, particularly for children. Think of home elevators like a swimming pool – kids shouldn’t be left alone in them, they shouldn’t be used during a storm, and they can be dangerous for people who aren’t being careful when they use them.

In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile accidents involving home elevators, some of which have been fatal, and one of which left a child dead in North Carolina.

One major danger of home elevators is the space between the elevator car and the hoistway door. Some home elevator fatalities have been caused by children getting crushed in this space, which can be as large as four inches. While safety code requirements brought this down from the five-inch limit that was required before 2016, four inches can still be more than enough space to entrap a child. There are continued, widespread calls to limit this spacing even further in the hopes of preventing more tragedies moving forward.

Another factor to consider is the fact that home elevators are usually designed to mimic the finishings of a home. If home elevator doors are designed to look like closet doors, there is potential for the locking mechanism to be manipulated by someone who may be looking for something else, or for the door to be opened by someone who doesn’t know what they’re getting themselves into. Children could also interact with this mechanism, allowing the elevator to run with the door open – and leading to potentially serious consequences. Doors are an integral safety feature of elevators, and improving regulations will result in safer home elevators.

Another danger of home elevators is that they lack some of the safety features required for commercial elevators. Many home elevators do not have key-access buttons, which essentially means that anyone can operate the elevator. As you can imagine, this causes major concern. Understanding the associated dangers of home elevators and ensuring regular inspection are vital components to home elevator safety.

Home elevators also need to be held to a higher standard when it comes to inspection, as the requirements for home elevator inspection are not subject to the same national safety standards as public elevators.

There have been strong efforts in recent years to improve the safety of home elevators. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has developed safety standards for home elevators, and some states and local Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) require home elevators to meet these standards. The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) is working to promote additional safety standards and inspections to protect people who use these conveyance systems.

How to Prevent Home Elevator Accidents

While home elevators do pose risks, there are measures that homeowners can take to prevent such accidents. Being aware of the potential risks mentioned above is paramount, but there are additional steps that homeowners may follow to maximize safety:

Never allow children to operate the elevator unsupervised. Look to install a keyed access system on the outside and inside of your home elevator as soon as possible. This will prevent children from being able to access or operate the elevator by themselves.
Ensure a two-way communication system is available inside your home elevator so that if someone becomes trapped, they can quickly call for help.
Make sure the elevator is inspected by an elevator company regularly, ensuring it’s in good working order and that there are no safety hazards.
Consider contacting your local or state representative, commissioner, or AHJ and speaking to them about supporting legislation that would require home elevators to meet the same national safety standards as public elevators. When enough people bring these issues to the attention of their representatives, changes are often made.

Most AHJs do not require home elevators to be periodically tested and inspected as recommended by ASME – an American national standard – so homeowners with residential elevators installed on their property must be extra vigilant regarding potential hazards.

January 24, 2024/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

The Importance of Elevator Maintenance Control Programs (MCP) for Building Owners and Managers

If you are the owner or manager of a multi-story building, you know about the importance of regular elevator maintenance and inspection, which is designed to keep your elevator and escalator equipment running safely and reliably. Every day, the people who live, work, attend appointments, or access services in your building rely on your building’s vertical transportation systems to get them to their destinations.

While some situations – such as a flood or power outage in your building – can cause your conveyance equipment to stop working unexpectedly, most failures of elevator and escalator systems are preventable. That’s why it’s critical that you have a plan in place for elevator technicians to regularly inspect and maintain your building’s elevators, escalators, and other conveyance equipment – so you can address problems before interruptions in service occur.

What is a Maintenance Control Program?

A Maintenance Control Program (MCP) is exactly what it sounds like: a plan to ensure that an elevator, escalator, or other conveyance equipment is maintained correctly throughout its life. It contains specific written information that indicates what maintenance should be performed, how that maintenance should be performed, when it should be performed, and how often it should be performed.

Elevator inspector and elevator industry expert John W. Koshak (QEC, CEI), describes it as follows:

An MCP (Maintenance Control Program) must provide a list of necessary work items to be performed, a place to record the completed work, and the records of completion made available to persons trained in the construction, maintenance, repair, inspection, or testing of vertical transportation equipment, which includes AHJs/RAs – Inspectors. It requires the maintenance company’s elevator personnel to do something – for example examine, test, clean, lubricate, and adjust applicable components listed in the code. The applicable components are a code-defined list of components that historically have caused hazards when they fail to perform their safety function when demanded, typically due to lack of maintenance. It also specifies that any special procedures, defined by the maintenance company or manufacturer, to also be provided in the MCP.

Most Authorities Having Jurisdictions (AHJs) have adopted the 2000 or later editions of the ASME A17.1/CSA B44 elevator code, which require an MCP for all conveyance equipment including elevators, escalators, and moving walks (check the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund’s website or with your local authority having jurisdiction, your elevator inspector, or your elevator maintenance company to find out which version of the code your area has adopted). Whether or not the AHJ making the rules for your area has adopted a version of the code that requires an MCP be in place for your building, if you don’t want your elevator or escalator equipment to fail due to something preventable, you should adopt one.

Section 8.6.1.2.1 of the (post-2000 versions of) ASME A17.1/CSA B44 code requires all MCPs to include a plan for examining, testing, cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting applicable conveyance system components at regular intervals.

Elevator Maintenance Control Programs must be written in compliance with the manufacturer’s specifications and the requirements of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 8.6. They can be very specific to an elevator, escalator, or moving walk’s intended use.

Koshak shared with us the following points:

ASME A17.1/CSA B44 Section 8.6 requires:

Elevator personnel must be trained.
Every unit must have an elevator Maintenance Control Program (MCP).
Metrics must be used in determining the intervals between maintenance tasks.
A schedule of elevator maintenance must be provided.
Procedures for elevator maintenance tasks must be provided.
Records of all elevator maintenance, repairs, replacements, alterations, callbacks, oil logs, Firefighters’ Emergency Operation testing and others must be made.
Records must be available for a minimum of five years.

What type of equipment is covered?

For (electric) traction elevators – the kind that are suspended by ropes, belts, or other suspension means – an MCP would typically cover:

Pit equipment, including (but not limited to) stop buttons, final limit switches, counterweights, governor ropes, governor sheaves, GFCIs, sump pumps, lighting, ladders, and buffers;
Hoistway equipment, including (but not limited to) lighting, directional limit switches, final limit switches, door locks, door operation, leveling controls, overhead clearance, car and counterweight roller guides, rails and brackets, ventilation, and smoke detectors;
Machine room equipment, including (but not limited to) elevator machines, brakes, lighting, ventilation, fire suppression equipment, fire protection, combustible equipment storage and disposal, GFCIs, governors, controllers, proper guarding, and trap doors;
Cab equipment, including (but not limited to) car top inspection buttons, stop buttons, proper guarding, safeties, emergency telephones and 2-way communication devices, door operating equipment (door screens, door protection, etc.), floor selection buttons, directional indication devices, handrails, ADA-required elevator equipment or devices, and Firefighters’ Operation Systems.
Hall equipment, including (but not limited to) Firefighters’ Operation Systems, call buttons, directional indication devices, and position indicators.

For hydraulic elevators – the kind that are moved up and down the hoistway by a column of pressurized oil – an MCP would include (but not be limited to) everything applicable listed above, and would also include hydraulic valve systems, pumping units, pistons, tanks and reservoirs, additional smoke detectors, additional fire suppression systems, and other equipment specific to hydraulic elevators.

For escalators and moving walks, a typical MCP would include (but not be limited to) safety switches, clearances, demarcation lighting, handrail safety switches (including inlet switches), step alignment, skirt alignment, lubrication, walk on / walk off plates (to ensure they are securely fastened), chains, chain sprockets, and brakes.

Who should have an MCP?

All building owners and managers should have an MCP for each of the elevators, escalators, and moving walks in their building. Even if your local AHJ follows a version of the ASME code prior to the 2000 edition, it’s very much to your benefit to have an MCP in place. You don’t want to discover your elevator, escalator, or moving walk has been put out of service for something that could have been prevented.

ElevatorInfo recently published an article on the importance of periodic maintenance for elevator systems. Regular elevator maintenance checks lead to prolonged equipment life, increased cost efficiency, and improved travel times. Periodic maintenance is equally important for escalators and moving walks.

Who develops an MCP?

MCPs are typically developed by the elevator/conveyance equipment manufacturer or by an elevator consultant. Once you have one in place, your contracted elevator and escalator maintenance company is responsible for following that plan.

Where are MCPs stored?

ASME code requires elevator maintenance records and repair/replacement records must be available for viewing on site in the machine room, either physically stored in the building, or in some cases, available electronically. Your AHJ and local code requirements may require one or the other; contact your AHJ for details.

Final Thoughts

While adopting an elevator Maintenance Control Plan won’t stop every instance of a passenger getting stuck in an elevator, it is the most practical and proactive step that building owners and managers can take to reduce unplanned downtime for their elevators, escalators, moving walks, or other conveyances. Remember – the riding public relies on your equipment to get them safely and efficiently to the important places they need to go.

Contact ElevatorInfo to be put in touch with a local elevator maintenance company that can help you set up an MCP.

January 11, 2024/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

The IUEC Safety Committee on Improving Safety in the Elevator Industry

When we talk with organized elevator apprentices and mechanics, a topic that comes up again and again is how the education they receive through the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) – and the culture of safety the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) works to instill throughout the trade – helps them come into the elevator industry with the skills and knowledge they need to keep themselves and their jobsites safe.

Whether someone is coming in to the IUEC as an organized apprentice or through the recruitment process completely new to the trade, the IUEC apprenticeship begins with a safety-focused curriculum centered around recognizing trade-related hazards. From the industry-specific OSHA curriculum that recently launched; to classroom lab activities where apprentices practice putting on required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as eye protection, hearing protection, respiratory protection, and fall protection; to the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver First Aid and CPR certification program embedded in the required curriculum, they receive a very different and much more thorough education than they did while working for non-union companies.

So with a trade that advances as quickly as this one, how does the IUEC stay on top of industry trends and emerging technologies that could impact the safety of apprentices and mechanics on the job? One way is through the establishment of the IUEC Safety Committee.

“The IUEC Safety Committee is a committee set up by President Christensen going back about ten years ago,” said Mike Langer, Director of Safety for the IUEC. “It takes people from across North America and puts them together in a room for brainstorming sessions on how to reduce fatalities and injuries in the elevator industry or the conveyance industry.”

Mike has been a longtime member of the IUEC Safety Committee, which is chaired by Ed Christensen, IUEC Regional Director for the Midcentral United States. Other Safety Committee members include Eric McClaskey, IUEC Assistant Director of Safety; Dave Griefenhagen, IUEC Director of Codes and Standards; Pat McGarvey, IUEC Director of Organizing; Blair MacMillan, IUEC National Organizer and Canadian Safety Director; and Ben McIntyre, IUEC National Organizer and Canadian Safety Director – along with active and retired elevator inspectors and building inspectors from across the United States and Canada. Altogether, the committee has approximately 22 members.

Eric McClaskey told us that the overall purpose of the IUEC Safety Committee is to improve safety for everyone working in the trade. This begins with research. “We look at incidents that occur throughout the course of a year or half-year when we meet annually,” he said. “We try to focus on ways in which we can better the industry through code development and other safety enhancements. It’s really an opportunity for us throughout North America to get with one another, and talk about what we see on the job and how we can prevent injuries and fatalities.”

One of the most important sources of information the Safety Committee draws on for its work is the database of incident reports put together by the IUEC Safety Department. Any time there is a close call, injury, fatality, or accident in the trade, it is investigated and an incident summary is produced. These incident summaries are then reviewed and discussed so that the IUEC Safety Committee can make recommendations based on what was learned from the accident. The reports are shared with IUEC Locals and affiliated signatory employers, and posted on the safety page of the union’s website at iuec.org. “The bottom line is, we want to do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again,” says Mike Langer.

Eric McClaskey encouraged everyone concerned about safety in the elevator industry to visit the IUEC’s website and view these reports. “On the IUEC safety page, we have an alerts tab that you can click on – it’s open to anyone,” he said. “It’s a resource for local unions, our employers, and the public at large. We house those incident summaries and (information about) close calls, near misses, and injuries on our website so that hopefully the industry can learn from these events that have taken place.”

Mike Langer emphasized the importance of making this information and research public. “Anybody can go to that open website and gather safety information right down to OSHA training from the safety page. It can be anybody in the conveyance industry, whether they’re union or not. That’s really what it’s all about – protecting everybody who’s doing the same work we do.”

Eric McClaskey continued, “(Elevators and escalators are) the most common form of transportation that the public operates on their own, so it’s important for us to make sure that these conveyances are installed and maintained properly. For us as a committee, we focus on items that may affect the end-user, and what we can do to help make sure the public has a safe conveyance to get from place to place.”

To learn more about the work the IUEC is doing to reduce injuries and fatalities in the conveyance industry, visit https://www.elevatorinfo.org/be-safe-improving-safety-elevator-industry/.

November 17, 2023/by Elevator Info

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In Retirement, IUEC Mechanic/US Marine Veteran to Sail Global Solo Challenge

Retired IUEC elevator constructor and United States Marine Veteran Curt Morlock is always looking for his next adventure. He credits his fulfilling retirement – specifically, being able to pursue his dream of racing solo around the world – to the lifetime guaranteed pension he received as part of his IUEC benefits package.

Born and raised in the Sunshine State, Curt Morlock has always loved the water.

“I grew up in South Florida – Hollywood and then Miami Beach,” said Morlock. “My father, who worked as a fireman, taught me everything there is to know about the beach. I was snorkeling by age six. Fishing, sailing, surfing – we really did it all.”

After his retirement from the elevator industry in January of 2023, he signed up for the Global Solo Challenge (GSC), a solo, nonstop, round-the-world sailboat race. 65-year-old Morlock is one of just five Americans currently on the GSC roster.

“This race will be the challenge of a lifetime. Only three American sailors have successfully gone around the world solo, unassisted, and nonstop,” said Morlock. “This has always been a dream of mine. To me, sailboats are like a giant surfboard. I fell in love with sailing as a young man, and as far as the race goes, I knew it was now or never.”

When we spoke with Morlock about the race, he used the phrase “now or never” several times. Having recently been diagnosed with cancer, Morlock’s friends and family, including his children Steele and Kevyn, have supported him and his racing ambitions since day one. Even his doctor has urged him to go on this journey.

“This wasn’t just some goal to accomplish or check off a list – it was a dream. I knew I had to go for it,” said Morlock. “At about the same time that I retired, I was out shopping for a boat. The race boat I ended up purchasing was about $170,000. The costs are significant – there’s a lot that goes into this that people don’t really realize.”

After completing his military service as a US Marine, Morlock worked for more than two decades as a union elevator constructor in Florida, Nevada, and Colorado.

“The union, the International Union of Elevator Constructors – it’s amazing what a career within the organized elevator industry can do for one’s life. It’s transformational,” said Morlock. “Good wages. Good benefits. And it’s even more than that. It’s about honoring your family, as well as your country. The union gave me the opportunity to do what I want – I worked hard, and now I can pursue my passions.”

Morlock talked about being a part of several noteworthy jobs over the course of his career. His work in the elevator trade, especially when he worked on the conveyance equipment at Denver International Airport, was a great post-military career path. “When I served in the Marines, I worked on A-6s. Working at the airport – it was like a giant aircraft carrier. I felt right at home,” said Morlock. “In the military and in the IUEC – we made it work by working together as a team. That’s what makes the union so great – the camaraderie and the strong sense of togetherness.”

With plans to launch on December 9, 2023, Morlock’s goal is to complete the solo, nonstop race around the world in 120 days. His 60-foot sailboat, named the 6 Lazy K, has an 85-foot mast and a 14.5-foot keel.

When asked what is required for an individual to complete such an impressive mission, Morlock responded, “Character, ability, and discipline – all things the union has given to me.”

When Morlock mentioned that wave heights regularly exceed 30 feet in the Southern Ocean, we asked if he was nervous about his upcoming voyage.

“I don’t know what that is – I truly don’t know what it is to be nervous,” he laughed. “Just like in the elevator industry, this race will be go, go, go. Thankfully, I’ve always been a physical guy. However, at the end of the day, it’s all about safety. That’s my priority – doing it right.”

To learn more about the advantages of becoming an IUEC elevator constructor, including the robust retirement plan available through IUEC’s Pension, Annuity, and 401K benefits, contact ElevatorInfo.

November 7, 2023/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

Education, Safety, Benefits: An Interview with TriStar Elevator Mechanics

Several months ago, ElevatorInfo went to Nashville and visited TriStar Elevator, an up-and-coming independent International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC)-affiliated company. With company headquarters based in Columbia, TN, TriStar elevator constructors perform construction, service, and modernization work across the middle-Tennessee area.

“We pretty much do anything at Tristar,” said Roman Sensing, an adjuster/modernization/construction mechanic and member of IUEC Local 93. We met Roman and Michael Halfacre, another Local 93 mechanic who works for TriStar, while visiting some of their active jobsites at an airport, a parking garage, and a bar under construction right on Broadway in the downtown music district.

“Working for TriStar – and just in Nashville – is wonderful,” said Michael., When we asked him why, he said it was TriStar’s family-oriented culture, responsiveness, and focus on jobsite safety. “If you have to call somebody, they answer. TriStar ensures we have a safe jobsite by giving us everything we need to make it safe.”

Roman agreed that TriStar’s focus on safety is an important part of their work from the beginning to the end of each job – something that’s critical given the hazards elevator constructors encounter on their work sites every day. “Typically on a workday we come in, talk about the job and what we are going to accomplish, and how we are going to accomplish it safely. We include all of those steps on a JHA (Job Hazard Analysis),” he said.

Once work starts, there is an ongoing system of checking and re-checking to ensure that no potential dangers are overlooked. “During the process we talk about anything we may have missed on the JHA and then update it, or note anything we may have encountered on a repair or modernization that could become a hazard.”

This is a significant shift for a mechanic like Roman, who came into the trade after being organized from a non-union elevator company a few years back. The company he used to work for offered little to no formalized safety training before they put him on the job. But once he was organized as an IUEC apprentice, he was enrolled in the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP), where elevator constructors complete a four-plus year USDOL Registered Apprenticeship with hands-on training in the classroom, practical labs, virtual simulations, and a major emphasis on safety. (NEIEP training is conducted concurrently with apprentices’ 8,000 hour on-the-job learning under the supervision of a trained mechanic.) Industry-specific OSHA, Arc Flash, proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), American Heart Association Heartsaver First Aid CPR AED, and Scaffold and Access Industry Association (SAIA) Competent Person for Framed and Suspended Scaffolding are just a few of the safety trainings provided for apprentice and mechanic-level elevator constructors.

“I started in the trade about six years ago with a non-union company… the training that I received through NEIEP was much more geared toward safety,” said Roman. “Non-union, not so much. I didn’t really receive much training there as far as safety goes. Very little to none. It was just on-the-job training with the mechanic I was working with…what you should do and what not to do, very vague.”

He continued, “In the (NEIEP) apprenticeship program, they outline a lot of safety issues, a lot of things that may come up on the job. They basically teach you about everything that you might come into contact with or that you might experience on the job. It’s a good base-learning program. Of course you learn a lot more on the job with the mechanics, actually seeing the equipment, but you get a lot of training and knowledge through the programs and the simulations.”

Another advantage to becoming an IUEC elevator constructor that Roman told us about was “. Health insurance – I didn’t have any at the non-union shop – I got health insurance, retirement, annuity, pension, 401(k) – we have all those benefits here with the IUEC.”

The National Elevator Industry Health Benefit Plan provides the most comprehensive health care coverage out there for IUEC members and their families, without additional out-of-pocket premium costs. This includes medical care, coverage of prescription drugs, mental health/substance abuse disorder treatment, dental care, a vision plan, and even hearing benefits.

Michael, who began his career as an IUEC apprentice after applying to a recruitment at Local 93 in Nashville, agreed that the security his benefits provide for his family is a major perk of the job. “One of the greatest things for me is the benefits package. I have two children, they’re completely taken care of by me doing this for a living. Me and my family are both super-happy about that. And I enjoy the work.”

The conveyance industry’s most comprehensive education and training program, a really good health care plan, and a solid retirement plan through the IUEC’s robust Pension, Annuity, and 401K benefits allow Michael, Roman, and the rest of the elevator constructor apprentices and mechanics at TriStar to keep their minds focused on providing consistent, quality work and attentive customer service. Take a close look at the machine room in the background of the video here – it’s an example of the clean, well-organized, and safe work areas TriStar mechanics pride themselves on. To learn more about Tristar Elevator, check out our interview with company owners Stacey and Brandon Jackson.

To learn more about the advantages of becoming an IUEC elevator constructor, or if you are a building owner or manager interested in hiring an IUEC-affiliated company like TriStar for installation, service, troubleshooting, modernization, repair, or inspection work for the elevators, escalators, or other conveyance equipment on your property, contact ElevatorInfo.

October 23, 2023/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

IUEC Proud to Host the 2023 Global Power Trade Unions Conference

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in the Elevator Constructor journal.

For over 10 years, the International Union of Elevator Constructors has been a proud member of the Global Power Trade Unions (GPTU), an international organization of power trade workers which includes those working in the electrical trade and the conveyance industry. (In many countries outside of the U.S. and Canada, electrical workers perform conveyance work.) The GPTU includes more than a dozen labor unions hailing from all around the globe—Australia, Ireland, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, the U.S., and Canada—to name just of few of the participating countries.

The IUEC’s participation came about in 2011 and has grown and evolved ever since. The GPTU holds meetings annually to collaborate as a global union brotherhood/sisterhood to combat the challenges organized labor faces—challenges that know no borders.

This year the IUEC served as the host union for the GPTU’s annual conference, which was held in Vancouver, British Columbia, from June 26-28. The IUEC also hosted the conference in 2016 in Chicago. The conference has also been held in previous years in previous years in Australia, Ireland, Denmark, and Iceland. With the beautiful city of Vancouver as a backdrop, and the hospitality of Local 82, led by Business Manager Mike Funk, the event was set for success from the start, and a success it was.

The conference, with about 40 international delegates in attendance, was organized by the four board members of the GPTU—our own IUEC General President Frank Christensen, Danish Union of Electricians General Secretary Jørgen Juul Rasmussen, Electrical Trades Union (ETU) of Australia National Secretary Allen Hicks, and Connect Trade Union (Ireland) General Secretary Paddy Kavanagh.

The meeting began with a warm welcome from President Christensen, who thanked Brother Funk and Local 82 for their support. He noted that he hoped the meeting would give everyone an understanding of what each trade does and the importance of working together. “You think you are doing things so well and then you go to another country and realize they are doing some things better,” he said. “We can all learn from each other.”

Chairperson Rassmussen also greeted the attendees, noting many things the unions all have in common – and pointing out that it’s the elevator industry that is the truly global industry because most construction companies are domestic, but elevator companies are international. The commonalities among the trades and the international unions that Brother Rasmussen highlighted were safety and health concerns, organizing, inequality and inclusion, and the climate crisis.

A major highlight of the conference was the remarks of special guest Carla Qualtrough, Canada’s Minister of Employment, Workforce Development, and Disability Inclusion. Minister Qualtrough spoke at length about the need to get more people interested in a career in the skilled trades. “Economic growth and near record-low unemployment in Canada have created a worker shortage,” she said. “Demographic shifts and high retirement rates fueling the demand and an ever-growing need to recruit and retrain hundreds of thousands more Canadians into the skilled trades is probably our biggest threat to economic success in Canada.”

Minister Qualtrough added that BuildForce Canada, a national, industry-led organization that provides information and resources to the construction industry, estimates that Canada needs to recruit about 300,000 new workers into the construction industry. She noted that the average age for entrance into the skilled trades in Canada is 26 years old, and only 1 in 15 high school students plan to pursue a career in the skilled trades – which isn’t enough to fill the worker shortage. In response to this, the Canadian government has been aggressive in its investment—nearly $1 billion—in apprenticeship support through grants, loans, and tax credits; helping communities explore and prepare for careers in the skilled trades; and creating awareness of skilled trades jobs. One creative initiative of note is a labor mobility deduction whereby Canadians can claim up to $4,000 per year in work-related travel and relocation expenses.

Minister Qualtrough’s office also oversees inclusivity and diversity initiatives, so she spoke in detail about the importance of ensuring that all who want to work are represented in the labor market. She said that only about 59% of people with disabilities are employed, as compared to 80% of those without a disability, and that tapping into this market could be an opportunity to address the labor shortage. Other groups who are underrepresented in the labor market include women, indigenous people, the LGBTQIA+ community, and BIPOC. “Our role as a government is to create an environment so that everyone who wants to work has a chance to work,” she said. “We need all hands on deck to have economic prosperity.”

Minister Qualtrough closed her remarks by noting the importance of training and the Canadian government’s efforts to provide holistic training opportunities that, in addition to trade training, include human skills training such as writing, reading, communications, problem solving, and adaptability. These are the skills that help people show up to work with confidence. “The government of Canada recognizes and respects the role unions play in addressing labor shortages and the need to establish a trained highly-skilled workforce,” she stated. “We need you!”

ETU National Secretary Allen Hicks spoke to the attendees about licensing, specifically as it relates to Australia’s expected labor shortage. “It’s incredibly important for us to make sure that if we are going to have people come from overseas to work in Australia, they need to be able to demonstrate that they can comply and meet the standards that we’ve established,” he said.

This issue facing Australia is not unlike labor shortage issues in other countries, but Brother Hicks was able to provide a glimpse into Australia’s licensing procedure. In Australia, there is a governing body called Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) that reviews foreign workers’ credentials, training, and work experience. Brother Hicks impressed upon the conference the importance of workers gaining their licensing through TRA before arriving to Australia to work.

Connect Trade Union (Ireland) General Secretary Paddy Kavanagh spoke about the power of joining forces and collaborating on things like licensing, marketing strategies, and codes. He used the example of Connect working with the ETU of Australia and the Australian embassy to offer Australian license training in Dublin, so that Irish electrical workers could arrive in Australia ready for work. Brother Kavanagh believes that the labor force is going to become much more international, so it will be important for qualifications to be standardized. However, he did say that it is important that the standardization of qualifications means that those with lower qualification standards must raise their standards to meet a higher level, rather than standards being lowered to meet others. He added that having a sort of International license would be helpful for unions and contractors to ensure foreign workers are indeed qualified for the job. “The safety issue alone is massive,” he said.

As it relates to codes, Brother Kavanagh stated that in Ireland, labor is outnumbered on code boards by about 12-1 – so they are often outvoted. He suggested that it would be helpful if the GPTU worked to share code ideas.

Many IUEC officers also addressed the conference providing information on the IUEC’s initiatives and programs—Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund Director Allen Spears, National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP) Director Dave Morgan, Canadian Elevator Industry Educational Program (CEIEP) Director Dan Vinette, Director of Organizing Pat McGarvey, Assistant Director of Safety Jim Chapman, Regional Director Rusty Gilbert, and Regional Director Kevin McGettigan. The attendees were also inspired by motivating remarks by friend of the IUEC, Retired Navy Seal J.J. Parma.

The conference closed with the attendees eager to reconvene next year. Together the attendees addressed many pressing world issues, such as climate change, the labor shortage, and even the war in Ukraine, and the impact these global concerns will have on the power trades. The solid partnership forged by the participating unions of the GPTU will prepare organized labor for the future, and empower working men and women through strength in numbers. There is much to be done, and these labor leaders are ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work for the benefit of all.

September 21, 2023/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

IUEC Local 7 and Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Host Baltimore-Area Trap Shoot

Recently, members of IUEC Local 7 (Baltimore) in association with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance hosted a Trap Shoot Competition at the Carney Rod and Gun Club in Maryland.

Walt Ingram, CEO and Executive Director, describes the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance as “a union-based organization that works on conservation with union members”. Since 2007, they’ve set up fishing, hunting, archery, and other outdoor activities for union members and their families across the country. They also host benefit dinners to raise money for conservation projects built by volunteer members of the union building trades; these include building public-use fishing piers and boardwalks, archery ranges, bird boxes, and more. All of their projects focus on preserving wildlife habitats, providing access to land and water, ensuring public access for outdoor recreational spaces, and improving infrastructure to make these spaces available to all who enjoy shooting, hunting, fishing, and similar activities.

Click here to activate your no-cost membership in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance

Sportsmen alliance union & IUEC leadership

Pictured (L-R): Kinsey M. Robinson, Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Chairman of the Board and International President Emeritus of United Union of Roofers, Larry McGann, IUEC General Secretary-Treasurer, Frank Christensen, IUEC General President

For approximately ten years, IUEC General President Frank Christensen and General Secretary-Treasurer Larry McGann have sat on the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance Board of Directors, providing oversight and direction. President Christensen is proud of the work IUEC elevator constructors and other members of the union building trades have done to support their work in the community. He says, “I think it’s so important that union members are running these projects on their own, volunteering – not only us, but the carpenters, the electricians, they’re all helping out – they’re rebuilding the decks, rebuilding the cabins, bridges, whatever is needed. And after the work is complete, they put a plaque up that says ‘built by union members’.”

President Christensen said being able to give kids from urban areas the opportunity to experience outdoor activities like hunting and fishing is a big part of why this organization is so important to him. “For me, being a city kid – some would say an inner-city kid – to see the kids who never had the chance to go fishing with their first rod and reel, their first fishing pole – it’d make you smile for a day, hey, it might make you smile for a week or year…most kids from the city never get that opportunity which sometimes we take for granted.”

For General Secretary-Treasurer Larry McGann, the highlight of his involvement with the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance is about giving union members the chance to participate in events like the Trap Shoot together with their families. “It’s about family values – not just for the member, but for their spouses, their kids – there are a lot of events they can do together. I came up hunting and fishing, I know how valuable it is to have events the whole family can participate in,” he said.

Pictured (L-R): IUEC Local 7 Business Representative Jason Danker and his father, Local 7 past President Hank Danker

Jimmy Demmel, Assistant National Director of the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF) and Local 10 member, joined this year’s Trap Shoot with his son Jack, a fourth-year apprentice in the trade. “I got involved because I hunt and fish with my whole family – my son, my wife, my other son, my daughter – we come up here for the camaraderie, the fun – plus, you’re giving back. We also did a Union Sportsmen’s Alliance project several years ago, building a fishing pier under the new Wilson Bridge with Local 10 and the rest of the building trades. The outdoors is a part of life – being involved with other like-minded tradesmen, it’s a lot of fun. I’ve got a 23-year-old son who’ll come hang out with me for the afternoon if we go shootin’.”

While Union Sportsmen’s Alliance events all have a focus on conserving spaces where people hunt and fish, another goal is to bring together union leadership, union members, their families, and the community. “We engage high school kids, apprentices from union locals, and almost invariably, union leadership shows up – folks who haven’t worked with tools in years all of a sudden will put a tool belt on again, because they’re doing something good in the community and there’s a lot of pride in their craft. And that will show them there is an opportunity for a career – you don’t need to go to college, you can actually get paid to learn as an apprentice, and make a good wage, have great benefits, and 4-5 years later come out as a journeyperson.”

Pictured (L-R): EIWPF National Coordinator / Local 21 Member Ryan Donnell and IUEC Local 21 Business Representative Zack Cutburth

Ingram told us that according to the AFL-CIO, 74% of all active and retired union members shoot, hunt, fish, or recreate in the outdoors, making events like this a natural fit for the IUEC. “Having the ability to connect members who enjoy that – it’s important…this event here today brings all those folks together, having fun, enjoying themselves – they’re building relationships they’ll take back home and use in their work. It might be a Business Manager from DC and a Business Manager from Houston who meet for the first time, and they’ll find that there’s common interest or challenges in their work. Now they have someone who they can pick up the phone and call.”

In addition to being a good time, events like the Trap Shoot have been an important way for union members and leadership from across the country to get to know each other (with some friendly competition, of course). “Events like this one today are good for a whole lot of reasons,” Walt Ingram says. “Union members and leaders meet a lot, but usually over things that are not a lot of fun to deal with – here today, they’re having fun… people are here from all over the country, maybe they haven’t seen some of their brothers or sisters since last year’s shoot. It’s kind of like a reunion – a renewing of fellowship, or making new friends. There are some folks here who have never shot before, and today they’re shooting a shotgun for the first time – so you get to introduce people to the shooting sports.”

In addition to setting up events like the trap shoot in Maryland, the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance organizes a pheasant hunt and plans family camping trips. Through their popular Take Kids Fishing days, they have introduced about 27,000 kids to fishing in the last five years. Ingram says, “these take kids fishing events that are sponsored by the union local – families come, people in the community at large come, it gives them an opportunity to learn about fishing, about conservation, and also about unions. So our take kids fishing events are really powerful, because it impacts the family of the member, and the people who aren’t members at all… if you can get more people involved in fishing and the outdoors, this world’s a better place.”

“We had one of those in Chicago and there was a great turnout,” said President Christensen. “I heard from several guys there – they just couldn’t get the smiles off those kids’ faces. They were just blown away. It’s something you don’t even think about.”

This year, three IUEC Locals received awards from the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance for leading the membership in participation and support. They were:

#1 IUEC Local 10 (331 members)
#2 IUEC Local 2 (315 members)
#3 IUEC Local 18 (281 members)

Trophy winners of this year’s 2023 IUEC Baltimore-Area Trap Shoot included:

2023 IUEC Baltimore-Area Trap Shoot
Team Name	Individual Name	Scores	Team Score	Winners
IUEC Local 7 Team B	Dave	40		HOA TEAM
	Dylan Zepp	42		HOA Youth
	Tom	41
	Wayne	45
	Tim	44	212
Iron Workers Local 5	Luke	35		A 1st Place
	Darryl	46
	Robbie	39
	Dave Dulin	48		HOA Individual
	Matt	35	203
IUEC Local 7 Team J	Lewis	41		A 2nd Place
	Mike	42
	Greg Yohn	47		HOA Senior
	Kyle	27
	Matt	34	191
IUEC Local 7 Team E	Paul	36		A 3rd Place
	Gary	47
	Rick	40
	Jesse	32
	Ghost	32	187
C. Winters/Eberts/IUEC 25	Dan	42		B 1st Place
	Craig	37
	Tyler	33
	Dane	33
	Ghost	32	177
Roofers International	Kinsey	26		B 2nd Place
	Mona Robinson	29		HOA Lady
	Chuck	34
	Chen	46
	Bill	40	175
IUEC Local 7 Team I	Shawn	38		B 3rd Place
	Bobby	34
	Tony	34
	Matt	33
	Ghost	32	171
IUEC Local 7 Team C	Allen	29		C 1st Place
	Bernie	34
	Robbie	40
	JD	19
	Jeffrey	26	148
Buch Construction	Scott	40		C 2nd Place
	Dan	25
	Randall	26
	Ryan	27
	Joe	29	147
IUEC International	Frank	34		C 3rd Place
	Larry	20
	David	15
	Zack	28
	Ryan	45	142

	Jason Danker	41		HOA Veteran

HOA Team, IUEC Local 7 Team B

1st Place Division A, Iron Workers Local 5

2nd Place Division A, IUEC Local 7 Team J

3rd Place Division A, IUEC Local 7 Team E

1st Place Division B, C. Winters/Eberts/IUEC 25

2nd Place Division B, Roofers International

3rd Place Division B, IUEC Local 7 Team I

1st Place Division C, IUEC Local 7 Team C

2nd Place Division C, Buch Construction

3rd Place Division C, IUEC International

Because the IUEC is a Charter Union Affiliate of the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, IUEC members can join at no cost. When they do, they get a monthly magazine with articles about union members’ involvement in outdoor activities and projects, calendars, info on organized hunting trips, and discounts on fishing equipment and guns. President Christensen hopes to have more IUEC members join soon, saying “we’re going to start getting a push out there and telling them how important it is – not just for hunting and fishing, but for the kids, for the parks – this is the right thing to do. It’s the right thing to show how much the unions are involved and helping out.”

If you are an IUEC member or member of another Charter Union Affiliate who wants to activate your no-cost membership in the Union Sportsmen’s Alliance, visit https://www.myusamembership.com/union

A list of upcoming Union Sportsmen’s Alliance events is below:

2023 CONSERVATION PROJECTS & OUTREACH EVENTS
Sept. TBD Marietta Take Kids Fishing Day Marietta, OH
Sept. 9 Kansas City Take Kids Fishing Day Kansas City, MO
Sept. 10 IAFF Chicago Fish with a 1st Responder Chicago, IL
Sept. 10 Roofers Twin Cities Get Youth Outdoors Day Clear Lake, MN
Sept. 17 Boilermakers Kansas City Get Youth Outdoors Day Lenexa, KS
Sept. 23 Spring Hill Campin’ in the Park Spring Hill, TN
Sept. 30 Ryan Helms Memorial Pheasant Reading, PA
Oct. 7 Chicago Family Outdoors Day Chicago, IL
Oct. 14 Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge Pavilion Project Dedication Laurel, MD
Oct. 14 Patuxent National Wildlife Refuge Community Bird Box Build Laurel, MD
Oct. 21 Montgomery Bell Family Campout Burns, TN
Dec. San Antonio BCTC Take Kids Fishing Day San Antonio, TX
TBD SMART Take Kids Fishing Day TBD, MD
TBD Montana Take Kids Fishing Day Helena, MT

2023 SHOOTING TOUR SCHEDULE
*Event names, dates and locations are subject to change
Aug. 26 New England Sporting Clays Shoot North Kingstown, RI
Sept. 9 Roofers Twin Cities Sporting Clays Shoot Clear Lake, MN
Sept.16 Boilermakers Kansas City Sporting Clays Shoot Lenexa, KS
Sept. 23 SMART/Cigna Colorado Sporting Clays Shoot Brighton, CO
Sept. 30 IBEW Southern California Sporting Clays Shoot South El Monte, CA
Oct. 3 OPCMIA Maryland Sporting Clays Shoot Glenn Dale, MD
Oct. 21 BAC N. Kentucky Sporting Clays Shoot Owenton, KY

August 31, 2023/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

Miami-Dade Selects Schindler Elevator for Conveyance Overhaul at Miami International Airport

In recent weeks, there has been some exciting elevator industry news in Miami-Dade County – conveyance units at Miami International Airport (MIA), one of the busiest airports in the world, are set to undergo some substantial upgrades. After a competitive bidding process with a number of vertical transportation companies in the region, the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners approved a contract with Schindler Elevator, an affiliated company of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC).

A recent article from Airports International Magazine describes how the multi-year contract will involve the repair, maintenance, and upgrade of vertical transportation equipment over the next several years. Schindler’s recent press release reports that the company will maintain all of the elevators, escalators, and moving walks at Miami International Airport and across Miami-Dade Transit’s Metromover system.

“Much of the equipment at Miami International Airport is outdated – so Schindler employees will be going in and ripping out those old units and replacing them with new, state-of-the-art equipment,” said Richard Romeo, one of the foremen in charge of day-to-day operations at the airport. “The work our members, the brothers and sisters of IUEC Local 71, are doing is going to make the airport more efficient, and I’m so proud to help lead a project of this magnitude.”

Romeo, an elevator industry veteran of more than two decades, went on to explain how the new contract – which will ensure elevator constructors are on-site at the airport 24 hours a day, 7 days a week –will benefit the airport, airport vendors, airport employees, and passengers traveling through the airport each day.

“The new contract is a 24/7 contract – this means a more efficient response time and better service for MIA and MIA passengers. A 24/7 contract ensures service and maintenance crews are on-site every day and at every hour,” added Romeo. “Other airports operate like this, and it is very efficient. We will have three shifts now – a morning, an afternoon, and a night shift. No matter the day – holidays or whatever it may be – there will be a crew at the airport ready to jump in and help should a need arise. People have places they need to go, and airports need to run efficiently. A 24/7 contract creates a pathway to better, timelier service. If a repair needs to happen overnight, for example, a 24/7 contract allows the work to happen at a time when there’s tremendously less foot traffic. It’s a better, more practical time to get certain work accomplished.”

Miami-Dade County selected Schindler Elevator from a number of other bids for the contract. The contract awarded to Schindler Elevator includes significant improvements to MIA’s elevators, escalators, and moving walkways – and Schindler employees, including Romeo, are ready to get to work on this impressive conveyance overhaul.

Miami International Airport enjoyed record numbers in 2022, as it handled nearly 51 million passengers. These tens of millions of passengers will certainly benefit from this vertical transportation endeavor, as Schindler Elevator already has proven relationships with major airports, universities, stadiums, and other noteworthy facilities across the country and around the world.

In a recent interview, Miami-Dade County Mayor Danielle Levine Cava referred to the modernization project at MIA as a “game-changer that will future-proof the conveyance units at Miami International Airport for decades to come.” Upgrading the elevators, escalators, and moving walkways at MIA is a large-scale project that will require significant knowledge, skill, and expertise – and by choosing an IUEC-signatory contractor (Schindler), it ensures this job will be completed in accordance with the industry’s highest standards.

In the Airports International Magazine article referenced above, MIA Director and CEO Ralph Cutie talks about transitioning MIA, an airport that is rapidly growing, to becoming more future-ready – and that the goal behind this effort is to match this growth with customer service excellence at all touchpoints.

Airports are such a critical part of our nation’s infrastructure, and investing in our airports is especially important in today’s fast-paced global community.

“Working at the airport is incredibly exciting and rewarding. It’s the same – but it’s also quite different – every day. There are always new challenges to take on,” said Romeo. “And with employees ranging from 38 years in the industry to just five years of elevator experience, we have quite the team. Everyone brings something critical to the table, so there’s no shortage of credible professionals to turn to when someone is looking for knowledge and help. No one person knows everything, but together we can tackle any job.”

For more information about the importance of escalator & elevator upgrading, and what it involves, be sure to check out our article on elevator modernization.

August 4, 2023/by Elevator Info

Elevator Info News

What To Do if You Get Trapped in an Elevator

Picture this – you’re going about your normal workday. After a busy morning of meetings in your second-floor office, you decide to go outside and get some fresh air. You step into the elevator and push the ground floor button. The doors close, the elevator starts to descend… and then jolts to a stop between floors. You wait a few seconds, frantically push the buttons, and nothing happens. You realize you are trapped in the elevator.

With millions of people using them multiple times each day, elevators are the busiest, most popular form of transportation in the world. While they are also one of the safest forms of transportation, from time to time, members of the riding public can occasionally find themselves stuck in an elevator.

In the unlikely event that this was to happen to you, it’s important to know precisely what to do – and, perhaps even more importantly – precisely what not to do in this situation. Let’s take a closer look at elevator entrapments, and what members of the riding public, building managers, and other building personnel must do to ensure that nobody gets hurt.

What if I Get Trapped in an Elevator?

If you ever find yourself trapped in an elevator, the first thing to remember is not to panic. There is no danger of the elevator running out of air – the ventilation systems installed in the elevator system guarantee a steady supply of fresh, breathable air, even in the event of entrapment.

Despite the stories you may have heard about elevators falling, the likelihood of an elevator falling is incredibly low (in fact, because of the way an elevator is designed, it is far more likely to ‘fall up’ than to fall down!). But – in the extremely rare event that you do find yourself in a falling elevator, you can’t jump at the last second to save yourself. Thankfully, the odds of someone being caught in a falling elevator are so slim that the “jump” is essentially a non-issue.

The great majority of the time, the reason the elevator stopped in the first place is because of a building-wide power outage or because the elevator’s safety features kicked in. All elevators are equipped with sophisticated monitoring systems equipped to detect irregularities in functioning and speed. Should it detect a problem, its braking system will automatically engage and hold the elevator in a safe position until a skilled elevator technician can arrive on the scene to assess the situation, free the trapped passengers, and then diagnose and correct the issue that caused it to stop.

Do not attempt to force the doors open, do not pry open the escape hatch in the ceiling, and do not interfere with any other parts of the elevator’s equipment. Especially in a situation where a power outage caused an elevator to stall, the elevator could re-start abruptly at any moment. Passengers attempting to free themselves from stuck elevators have been hurt and even killed when the power came back on and the elevator started moving again unexpectedly.

One piece of equipment that is there for use by passengers is the elevator’s emergency phone or communication device. If you are trapped inside an elevator, immediately call for help. This device will automatically connect you with building security, emergency services, or an elevator service company. All have people ready to answer calls 24 hours a day.

You can also press the elevator’s alarm bell, which produces a loud ringing noise others in the building can hear; this will alert them to the fact that you are stuck.

The Protocol for Building Managers

If you are a building manager who receives notice that someone is trapped in your building’s elevator, your first responsibility will be to contact emergency services or your elevator service company immediately. If there is a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services department right away. After giving them information about where the building is and what floor of the building the elevator is on, reassure the trapped person that they are not in any danger, they must not panic, and they must not attempt to free themselves or interfere with the elevator equipment until a professional arrives. Communicating with the people inside will help relieve their anxiety.

Once the elevator constructor or emergency services arrives to free the trapped occupants, you and your staff may be asked to accompany them to the stalled elevator and/or the elevator machine room. Once you’ve given them the information they need, it’s time to sit back and let them do the work they’ve been trained to do.

Professionals: They’re Trained for This

While elevators are extremely safe for the riding public, they contain complex and potentially dangerous machinery behind the scenes. The industry’s most qualified elevator constructors participate in years of training and education through a nationally recognized registered apprenticeship program like the National Elevator Industry Educational Program (NEIEP). NEIEP apprentices must complete 4+ years of classroom courses along with 8,000 hours of supervised on-the-job learning under the supervision of an experienced mechanic – and pass a capstone mechanic exam – to achieve status as a mechanic.

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has created extensive elevator safety codes that vary by jurisdiction. IUEC elevator constructors are knowledgeable about how to interpret and apply these code requirements to ensure the safety and well-being of the riding public. Don’t put your elevator equipment and the people who use it at risk by allowing individuals without the proper education and experience to service it.

Final Thoughts

Remember – if you ever find yourself trapped in an elevator, don’t panic, and don’t ever attempt to get out of it yourself! Use the emergency phone/communication device to speak with building security, emergency personnel, or a dispatcher from the elevator service company, and someone will be on their way immediately to help you safely exit the elevator and resume your daily routine.

For building managers, your primary responsibility is to ensure that the professionals and/or emergency services can get to where they need to be to assist the trapped passengers. It’s important to know what to do in an entrapment situation, but it’s even more important to do everything you can to prevent one from happening in the first place. The best way to do this? Make sure your elevator systems are inspected, tested, and serviced regularly, including receiving the recommended preventive periodic maintenance. And don’t forget to test the alarm bell in your elevator!

Contact ElevatorInfo to be connected with a reliable elevator service company who can help ensure your conveyance systems are running the way they should.

July 19, 2023/by Elevator Info