Elevator Radio Show Podcast

I figured picking the coldest day of the year to bring the show back which to me is perfect timing.  While it’s -16 degrees here in Chicago it’s cold enough to have closed schools and some businesses today and tomorrow. Regardless it’s nice to be back and I can’t tell you how much I appreciate all the calls, emails and texts I received asking if I was okay. I’ll do my best to share an explanation for my absence on the show today.  It’s good to be back, I missed my elevator family. Prize Pack Giveaway – Thanks To the Following Prize Pack Giveaway Donors! C.J. Anderson & Company, Colley Elevator Company, Codedataplate.com,  The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, NAEC, Elevator Cab Renovations, Parts Specialists Inc, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Peelle, The pQEI Inspection App & Maxton Manufacturing News/Articl

It is so sad that we lost another elevator mechanic this past week. I share that article along with another which goes to show that even the most safety conscious can be hurt or fatally injured in their everyday work environments. Not a great show to make anyone feel good so share the stories, the information with your coworkers and let’s all do our best to prevent any more accidents like this from happening in the future.

I learned some sad news this week about the passing of Gordon Ernst who was a consultant from Washington.  I didn’t know Gordon that well and met him only a few times. However he made a lasting impression on me. Recognize those who make this profound impact on you, no matter how little or how great. Know that life is short and before you know it the time we have here to make a difference will soon be gone. I know, a bit morbid for a Wednesday morning but lately I’ve discovered the reality that even though life is the longest thing we’ll ever do it’s as fragile as an egg. News/Article Links: Four hurt in elevator accident in Brooklyn Progress being made on elevator in iconic building NY Man chokes to death after getting caught Fire in courthouse elevator Man in wheel chair dies after tumbling down escalator Last manual elevator in Milwaukee Hartford firefighters take part in training The future of space Oracle acquires Vertical Systems Inc. Next CEA Meeting – November 1st Never do this!

Back from a week in Atlantic City exhibiting at the NAEC and it was great to see so many of you who stopped by to say hello. I love the fact the show was out east to tailor to our NY and east coast friends and hope that after the next two or three times we’re scheduled to hold a convention there we can move to other cities and venues. I’ll share a quick recap of the event, also on what’s happening with our production equipment and want you to know it feels good to be back.

Next week is the Wisconsin Elevator Symposium and I’m looking forward to it. The venue, the topics and the ability to get so many educational credits in once place draws a lot of people. If you need to get your educational credits consider attending this event. It’s a really cool place to hold a conference and a first rate event. I’ll be there the night for the dinner and look forward to seeing many of you there.

It’s like either heat has hit elevators pretty hard across the country or there’s a full moon out there because there are so many articles regarding elevators not working I couldn’t share them all. In addition seems as if there are crazy people out there as well using and doing things in elevators they shouldn’t be doing. It’s the last show of the month and I’ve got a $100 gift card and prize pack box to giveaway. Thanks for tuning into the show today. Prize Pack Giveaway – Thanks To The Following Prize Pack Giveaway Donors! C.J. Anderson & Company, Colley Elevator Company, Codedataplate.com,  The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, NAEC, Elevator Cab Renovations, Parts Specialists Inc, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Peelle, The pQEI Inspection App & Maxton Manufacturing   News/Article Links: Dallas ho

Some of the featured articles on today’s show are ones I wish I weren’t sharing. One I found cool shares an elevator company that’s investing in training our current and future workforce. And as a reminder don’t wear soft soled shoes or take your furry friends on escalators. In addition the email I shared today centers around the building owner with some colorful commentary by your truly.

The two topics I want to touch on today involve flooding elevators as well as watching your kids when out in the world. I’m not talking about keeping them on a physical leash or anything but one accident involving a 3 year old and an escalator could have been prevented had she been watched more closely. Flooding elevators is a much more serious concern than originally thought as the power of water when it arrives too quickly can cause a serious life threatening situation. Visit www.elevatorradioshow.com for complete show notes.

Riding escalators is safe, as long as you ride them the correct way.  The fine print is as follows for all the ambulance chasing attorneys out looking to purchase their next vacation home on the cape with a settlement relating to our industry,  I have no idea what the specifics are from any of the accidents shared in today’s show.  However based on my knowledge as a father and my job to keep my kids safe the information shared in those articles leads me to believe that in both cases the escalators were not being ridden safely.  Hands should be on the hand rails, feet should be away from the sides of an escalator.  As parents it’s our job to protect and teach our children the best way to survive in the world. If there was any money in suing parents for negligence I’m certain you’d see a huge new field of attorneys pursuing it.   www.eesf.org

Good to be back after a busy four weeks of travel.  I’m thinking things will settle down a little bit by November. I appreciate so many of you reaching out to me asking what the heck was going on but the reality is that life just got really, really busy for me, more so than normal. ““Elevators don’t run if you don’t do maintenance,” said Dick Gregory, a Chicago-based elevator consultant who has testified as an expert witness in lawsuits involving elevator injuries throughout the country. “And they’re not safe if you don’t do maintenance. - Dick Gregory - Vertex Elevator Consultants News/Article Links: Talks on merging? The Unheard enthusiasm for elevators Broken elevator takes toll on residents Three years later Chimney Rock gets elevator back Modular Elevator added to mill building Murphysboro middle school to get new elevator Chicago Elevator Association Golf Outing Wisconsin Elevator Symposium Swing door elevator rescue Smith Tower elevator operators retire Worker injured in elevator shaft Do not t

This is the kind of show I truly wish I didn’t have to do. One filled with accident after accident. What ties closely with the idea that Bob Shepherd shared in the May issue of the Progress he was nice enough to let me re-post on June 9th but it really gets you thinking beyond the safety and toolbox talks. Read the article and think about how you can go beyond just “talking” about safety but actually living it. I’ll share more on this in my commentary during the show.

It's catch up week after postponing last week’s show. Unfortunately I have too many articles that involve accidents to share, three tragic which could have been prevented.  In addition I’ll share a scary story regarding a friend/mechanic who was involved in an accident last year in while in the field. Just as a reminder if you need your QEI certification renewed you need to get on that quick! For more information visit NAESAi.org. News/Article Links: Construction worker dies in alleged elevator malfunction Cousin recalls man who fell from construction elevator In Memoriam: Bernard Kelly - Ottawa NJ Transit Secaucus escalator reverses direction injuring 3 This is what happens when you’re not paying attention Man dies after falling off escalator Two die in St. Louis 2-Year-old injured on escalator Man clowning around leads to escalator death In case you forgot how to ride escalators Seniors, disabled at risk in downtown high-rise Lawsuit filed against hotel in drowning Legislators advance elevator-safety measu

First and foremost make sure on Monday, while spending time with family, you take the opportunity to share and talk about your family members and friends who died while serving our country.  Neither we nor generations to come can forget the ultimate sacrifice they gave by serving. They are the reason why we enjoy the freedoms we have today. News/Article Links: Two construction workers die in elevator collapse DC elevator inspections Escalators are not toys Please put these behind a paywall Are change orders in government truly an issue Graduate School as an Elevator Rebooting your career Man injured when elevator drops Elevator intercom reading a novel ADA and Elevators Hong Kong’s lift and escalator fatigue test Improving safety in Hong Kong Bad day for pickup truck and driver

On today’s program I get to get to share an experience I had regarding an elevator from 1934, an accident and the problem with building/elevator owners who simply won’t invest in there elevators. So what’s the moral of the story? When you’re a cheap ass slumlord with no intention of investing in your buildings there’s a good chance someone is going to get hurt or worse lose their life.  As contractors, inspectors, consultants and manufacturers we all need to take steps to help educate slum lords of America. www.elevatorradioshow.com

Today’s show leads with what I think is a pretty good idea as it relates to the issues of elevators being used as bathrooms in Transit Systems in large metropolitan cities.  While the pilot program will prove whether it’s effective or not I give BART a lot of credit for giving it a try. The show is short and sweet today.       News/Article Links:   BART AND Muni elevator Attendants shoo urinators   Elevator attendants may be the way to go   Otis launches higher level of customer service   Elevator repairs set for MAX Stations   Elevators Are Going Green   Otis goes solar in SC   How Popular Science covered the ESB Opening   Escalator riding done badly   MTA Building three new elevators   Season two of Elevator Pitch   Investigation launched into boys foot entrapment   One minute attack let hackers spoof hotel keys   CEA 4th Annual Scholarship Fundraiser   Damn elevators

I was close to only sharing one news story today and looking back maybe I should have. Each that follows the lead article fails to compare to the tragedy of losing another elevator mechanic.  I read other articles and Facebook posts where those who knew Randy referred to him as a Superhero.  I need you all to remember that you are someone’s Superhero.  You may not feel like it but you are and those whom might view you as such would never be the same if something like this were to happen to you.  Our industry sends its most deep heart sympathy to the friends and family of Randy Wilson. Work safe out there.

It’s a slow week in news which gives me a little time to reflect on life in general. Thank you to all of you reached out to me in the last week regarding our 500th show. It’s been my pleasure to bring it to you each week.

I was never really a big fan of milestones or my own birthday for that matter and simply feel lucky just being able to do what I enjoy doing.  I want to thank each of you for joining me each week as I’ve made some awesome friends along the way.  So thank you for helping make me want to do this each week. visit www.elevatorradioshow.com for complete show notes.

It’s good to be back after visiting my oldest son in Montana during Spring Break with my family.  We drove which gave me lots of time to think and some of which applied to the show.  I’ll share more on this next week when we hit show number 500.  However there’s a stack of articles to get through many of which are not all that positive unfortunately.  As always, thanks for tuning in to the show!   News/Article Links: Philly Elevator Contractors Union gives a lift Registrations open for Elevator U 5-Year-Old’s hands get trapped in escalator Man dies after makeshift elevator falls on him KONE Acquires Heartland Elevator Child taken to hospital after falling down elevator shaft Man’s legs injured in escalator accident Michigan family rescued from stalled elevator Crews rescue woman after she falls into elevator shaft Library wants to replace ‘temperamental’ elevator Kenwood elevator fixed Art and elevators Keep your feet away from the sides of escalators Fire Department trains in LIRR elevator rescue Boston high

It’s hard to believe we’re in March after receiving a bit of snow in Chicago yesterday and seeing the storm that’s hitting the Northeast right now. Hopefully whatever snow is left is gone by July 4th.  We’ve got a good show today, stories, content that will have you wondering what the heck Comportation means.   News/Article Links: Employee airlifted after being trapped in elevator shaft MTA Violated Law Omitting Elevators in Station Upgrade Elevator Comportation? Carlsbad Caverns: Elevator Delays Elevator U Conference Registration Open Ambulance Chasers How to keep your elevator biz from crashing NYC Buildings & Elevators Man found at bottom of elevator shaft Delhi: Elevator accident, 5 injured Maxton Manufacturing Company training heads north You’ve been served, how to respond to respond NAESA International Member Benefits: Progress IAEC Forum 2018