Have you ever walked up 15 stories of stairs with your luggage after a long trip?
Probably not…
You probably haven’t had to climb endless stairs just to get to your apartment, hotel room, or office because an elevator was there to take the load off and carry you and your bags to where you needed to go.
You might not realize it, but whenever you step into an elevator, there is a long history and countless hours of engineering surrounding you on all sides. It’s a good thing, too, because there is nothing inherently safe about being lifted so high off of the ground.
Apart from saving stair climbing, it’s important to consider that most cities wouldn’t exist without modern elevator technology. Without elevators, it would be pointless to build more than 5 or 6 stories tall, because who could possibly move furniture more than 6 stories? Without elevators, we could say goodbye to the skylines of places like New York, Chicago, and Seattle with their iconic skyscrapers and monuments. Elevators are a cornerstone of our modern world.
But elevators aren’t “set it and forget it” technology. To keep elevators safe, they need to be meticulously maintained by licensed professionals. Because many elevators weigh more than 1 ton when they’re empty, they put tons of stress on mechanical parts and require constant maintenance and inspection from business owners and licensed professionals alike.
When elevators fail, people get injured or killed. With so much weight suspended so high, sometimes hundreds of feet in the air, it makes the margin for failure an absolute zero. That’s why the inspection and maintenance requirements are so intensive.
So what’s being done to prevent elevator accidents and safeguard the general public?
As mentioned above, inspections from licensed professionals are key when it comes to preventing most casualty incidents with elevators. An inspection includes a complete examination of mechanical, structural, electrical, and safety systems, including wire ropes and chains.
In Texas, the owner of the elevator or related equipment must obtain an inspection every 12 months and submit the inspection report, plus all required documents, and applicable fees to the Department in order to obtain a Certificate of Compliance. (Texas Dept. of Licensing and Regulation)
On top of inspections, building owners with elevators must also:
- Get an inspection report from the inspector indicating that all equipment in the building has been inspected
- File each inspection report with the department with all applicable fees by the required deadlines
- Display the Certificate of Compliance for each piece of equipment in a publicly visible area of the building
- Maintain the equipment in compliance with the law
It takes a lot of responsibility, time, and money for owners to maintain elevators, but it’s necessary to keep everyone safe.
When 2 tons of steel and human beings are being lifted to heights higher than a roller coaster, it’s on the owners to make sure they have non-fraying cables and working emergency brakes in that elevator. Lives depend on it.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an elevator accident, it’s important that you get legal counsel to help navigate the process of getting restitution for your injuries.
You should know that you have no-risk options for a top-tier legal council at Malley Law Firm. Don’t hesitate to reach out and see if you’re entitled to compensation from elevator owners who are responsible for safe operation AT ALL TIMES. Contact Malley Law Firm today.
