Elevator Radio Show Podcast

It’s as if the international community exploded with accidents and injuries this past week which were a bit on the concerning side. It makes you realize that other countries around the world struggle with safety as it relates to elevators and escalators.  And while I personally believe here in the US we take safety very seriously with our standards and codes there’s always room for improvement obviously after listening to individuals and presenters at the Elevator Safety Summit.  I sure hope next week’s show is not filled with similar ones.

I was truly honored and humbled to have been part of the first ever Elevator Safety Summit. I’d like to thank Bob Shepherd, Emerald McGehee, Felicity Wilkinson, Jack Day for putting together an event that did nothing but talk about how to make the work place a safer one.  Dave Turner did an excellent job introducing the presenters and it was truly refreshing to see something like this focus entirely on safety.  It also was the perfect way to honor the memory and passion of Bob Caporale Sr who did everything he could to promote our industry and make it safer.  His loss has created a hole which will be difficult to fill for so many of us.  I could feel Bob’s spirit last week in so many of you whom I spoke with. 

At the close of the summit task groups were formed to focus specifically on safe working practices in a variety of high risk work related areas.  What started out as an idea became a reality last week, one that I personally hope leads to zero fatalities as well as injuries in and around the equipment we work on.  Congratulations Bob Shepherd on putting together a first class event.  Thank you for including me, I look forward to the work that completed to make our workforce safer. I also want to thank so many of you who stopped me to say hi. I appreciate it and it’s you that keep me going each week.  Stay “Safety Pinned” everyone.

News/Article Links:

How elevator mechanic became Canada’s hottest job

Elevators in Canada in the news again

Elderly woman mugged in elevator

Jury awards $ to woman injured in elevator

Anger rising as broken elevator strands residents   

Escalator accident in MN

EESF anyone?  

What is it with China videos?

BART’s broken down escalators

The art of perception  

State encounters conflicting information regarding above incident

14 people rescued in elevator – Atlantic City

Elevator set on fire   

Look to classic comedy for elevator guidelines

14 Year old fell into elevator shaft

Woman injured by faulty escalator?

Administrative action taken in escalator incident  

CEA June Newsletter Published

Stranded on escalator suit filed

Two people stuck on an escalator

Elevator U Conference

Today’s show is a smooth one. Next week is the Elevator Safety Summit and you’ll find the agenda and packet for the event. I’m really looking forward to it and meeting many people whom I’ve never met before.  This is the first type of event of its kind and I have to tip my hat to the man behind the idea for such a conference.  Coming from the field Bob Shepherd understands how important safety is and has put a lot on the line in bringing us all together to talk about and come up with ideas and strategies to prevent accidents from happening.  He’s been promoting this event tirelessly for the last year and I personally admire him for that. I cannot wait for it to start and am honored to be a part of it.

It’s a heavier show than last week as we lead with an article that reports an 8 year old was killed in a home elevator accident. These accidents simply tear me up inside to no avail and as a father I can’t imagine ever having to go through the loss of one of your kids. If you have a client who has a home elevator please share the information that’s provided on the EESF website with any client of yours. I never want to read about an accident like this again. In addition the second article talks about the inspections in San Francisco which I provide some additional questions I wish the media would ask. It was nice to see Michael Fagan sharing his expertise which he did nicely on the segment. More commentary will be included in the show today.

I had a great time at the IAEC Conference last week and it was great to see and talk with vendors, consultants and contractors. It was an extremely productive week, the presentations excellent and I was impressed with the direction they are heading. As with any conference like this it provided some insight I would not have known had I not attended. Next up on the travel schedule the Elevator Safety Summit which I can’t wait to attend and present at.

Elevator Safety Summit Links

May 21-23 – Phoenix, AZ

Sponsorship/Registration Event Link

Sponsorship/Registration Event Packet Link (.pdf)

News/Article Links:

Construction worker falls down elevator shaft

Two hurt in escalator mishap at WTC Oculus

Retirement home receives donation for elevator

CEA Scholarship Fundraiser

Escalator maintenance mess at MTA – Scott Stringer notes

Construction worker falls down shaft

Broken elevator strands disabled senior citizens

China: Mother saves boy trapped in escalator

Man falls over side of escalator

Elevator Etiquette

Residents welcome long delayed elevator at Briarwood

India: Elevator plunges to lower basement

Man identified in lift fatality

Microsoft sports some cool gamer elevator door skins

Visit www.elevatorradioshow.com for complete show notes.

I’d like to thank so many of you who sent well wishes for my mom as well as simply thought about her last week. She’s home and getting stronger each and every day and I appreciate every one of you who kept her in your thoughts. Check your calendars as we’ve got a few events fast approaching. If you haven’t already sent in your registration/sponsorship please consider supporting them with your attendance and/or sponsorship.

Elevator Safety Summit Links

May 21-23 – Phoenix, AZ

Sponsorship/Registration Event Link

Sponsorship/Registration Event Packet Link (.pdf)

News/Article Links:

Mom wants answers after toddler gets stuck in elevator

The Ups and Downs of Elevator Ownership

The importance of elevators in universal housing

Rights groups sue BART over ‘filthy’ elevators, broken escalators

BART Elevators get mixed grades in Chronicle smell check

Elevator repairman punched

Grandma looses balance on escalator falls while holding grandson

Legislation to improve elevator safety in public housing proposed

Why you shouldn’t walk on escalators?

Bracing for lien times

Someone needs to take a happy pill

17-month-old boy seriously injured in airport escalator accident

Boy dies in elevator accident: Israel

IAEC Conference in two weeks

CEA Scholarship Fundraiser

I had a great time interviewing Bob Shepherd last week and will continue to promote and support the Elevator Safety Summit. If it creates another avenue to keep our mechanics safe I’ll support it forever. On this week’s show the big article had to do with what to do if an escalator malfunctions. I hope that my commentary sums up my disappointment in the reporters spin on it. I can honestly tell you how little faith I have in the general media and their inability to do the right thing in how they create safety pieces like this.

On the show today I share an interview I had with Bob Shepherd last night.  Bob is the Executive Director of NAESA International and man dedicated putting together an event that focuses solely on safety in our industry.  The selfless idea and promoti...

There’s a wide spectrum of articles on the show today, some have me losing more faith in the human population and others giving me hope in the media and them spreading the word on escalator safety when accidents happen. Either way there’s lots to cover on the show today and I thank you for tuning in.  Oh, and let’s hope the white stuff on the ground is the last we’ll see for a while.