The right Elevator system can be invaluable in tying together the interior design elements of a building. Elevators are critical in decorating the space, providing users with necessary functionality, and making future expansions to the structure easier to plan for. As such, however, it is vital to observe basic safety guidelines when it comes to elevator operation, maintenance and design. Not all elevators are right for all buildings, but planning ahead allows the professional to optimize the function of their elevator without taking away from its design or presence. OSHA guidelines exist to make safety a priority, and a capable elevator installation and maintenance company will always keep OSHA in mind before every procedure the employees perform.

About OSHA

OSHA, which stands for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, is an organization responsible for the protection of worker safety and health in the United States. OSHA was first created by the United States Congress in 1971 in the wake of its Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. This act was designed to ensure healthy and safe working conditions for all employees in all fields of work. OSHA has been directly responsible for cutting work-related fatalities by more than half, in addition to directly reducing the risk of injury and illness in all types of industries. Because of the massive scope of the organization, there are many details specific to elevator control and repair that help employees improve the safety of their operations. Understanding how the field of elevator design is improved by OSHA can provide both employees and clients with a better way to approach various elevator-related services.

Defining the Elevator

To begin, OSHA defines the elevator” as a permanent addition to a building, designed for the hoisting and lowering of people and objects through the use of a car, or a platform that moves vertically. The elevator must serve as a connection between two or more floors within the structure, and the design of the final product may vary so long as the structure is functionally defined as an elevator. Because of the nature of the term, it is not meant to apply to any other vertically moving machines. Conveyors, piling machines, lift bridges and wharf ramps are not considered to be elevators, and they are governed under different OSHA rules and regulations. Similarly, escalators are defined as power-driven stairway systems that are intended for use by persons, which puts them under the same principle governing as elevators.

Primary Guidelines

One of the most important guidelines that OSHA prepares for elevator use is making sure that the device is free of defects. If any escalator or elevator has a visible defect, it is vital for the professional to take care of the issue before the general public has the chance to use the elevator. In the most extreme situations, professionals may need to shut the elevator down entirely to perform maintenance throughout the day, especially if the elevator is responsible for transportation for many floors in a building.

In addition to taking care of repairs as soon as they become an issue, it is vital for operators to also focus on elevator safety devices. There are different articles of safety equipment that professionals must wear before they get started on a task, and neglecting to do so is in direct violation of OSHA guidelines. There are also safety devices on the elevator that are designed to protect the users from harm in the event of malfunction. These emergency protocols are to always be kept in working condition and operable. Operators may never override them, as it is against OSHA.

Maintenance Guidelines

Additionally, OSHA has guidelines for elevator and escalator maintenance. Capable professionals will always follow these guidelines in order to maximize the effectiveness of the procedure, reducing the risk of damage to the elevator and those using it. Most elevators and escalators are meant to be inspected at intervals of, at most, one year. Monthly inspections may also be necessary in certain situations, especially if the elevator is used in a high-traffic building. All records of the results are supposed to be compiled and designated as appropriate for quality control. The records should also be easily accessible for legal reasons, and OSHA recommends for annual escalator inspections to be posted near the vicinity of the device.

Construction Guidelines

Though the decorative details of the newly constructed elevator may be planned for according to client specifications, there are some necessities that all elevators should have for safety reasons. All elevator landing openings should be provided with a gate, door or some type of equivalent protection. This is to prevent individuals from stepping out of the elevator prematurely or entering the elevator prematurely, which may result in injury or death. The appropriate safety lines should also be established for employees in order to avoid injury when the elevator is not at its landing.

Usage Guidelines

Though elevators may seem easy enough to use, OSHA requires usage guidelines to be posted somewhere clearly visible in order to prevent unlawful use of the elevator. The device’s maximum load limits should never be exceeded once they are posted. They should be visible inside and outside of the car, and it is recommended to place a persons and weight limit in order to avoid ambiguities.

Additionally, elevators should be operated only professionals designated for the task. For automatic or door locking elevators, anybody may use them, but the full shaft door closing function should be working as desired before the elevator is available for public use.

A capable elevator maintenance and installation company should always strive to follow OSHA guidelines and procedures as closely as possible in order to avoid injury to users and employees. The appropriate guidelines form the foundation for the project, while the client provides the details, resulting in a safe and functional elevator that matches with the aesthetic of the surrounding area. Contacting the appropriate professionals can allow individuals to optimize long-term elevator use, especially when the device needs the appropriate maintenance procedures performed.

Jessica Kane is a writer for OSHA Campus Online, a provider of affordable online OSHA training courses that are accepted nationwide!