Nice to be back in the saddle again, although I did enjoy sleeping in last week, or should I say sleeping until 6:00. It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to do that.  Two weeks of articles to go through today, I promise to do my best to get through it in under an hour. I appreciate the e-mails from many of you who let me know you missed the show last week. I missed putting it out for you as well. Next week is our $100 prize pack giveaway show so get signed up for the e-newsletter and you’ll be eligible to win.

News/Article Links:
EU New Look and Letter from Pres.
EESF AGM Meeting – Elevator Riders
Aircraft carrier elevator
EIGSC Membership Renewal
Problems at Bethesda escalators
Florida Upcoming Elevator Code Changes
Elevator in hundreds of Chicago Buildings not inspected
5 Trapped in elevator in good spirits
Inside an elevator motor
Mitsubishi outputs 100000 elevator/escalator
EW Unplugged: Funny
Scary video – YIKES!
TKE Innovative Geared to Gearless Technology
Pimp My Elevator
Elevatorlaw.com
Snow in Roanoke
Toshiba to expand business in India
An escalating problem
Elevator operator still on the ride of his life
Elevator fire damages hospital control room
Elevator camera catches robbery suspects
Japanese Construction company to build SE by 2050
Elevator company vows to discipline workers
Button repair
Elevator controller terminal maintenance
Dover holeless hydro video
Final ride on condo Otis Elevator
KONE acquires controlling interest in GiantKone
Site of fatal midtown accident fully reopens
CEA Meeting Next Week

Back from Atlanta, and have a full report on the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation Annual General Meeting. Great to see the everyone who attended. While I was only in for the one day meeting I’ve got a general report to give on the important items that you should know. Other than that, we’ve got a good show today with some pretty interesting articles. As always, thanks for tuning in and for sharing the links of the program with your coworkers and friends.

News/Article Links:
MESA Update
ThyssenKrupp comes to Chicago
Courthouse elevators operating after repairs
EW: Unplugged Photos of the Week
Two-Stop Elevator Exemption Notifications: Florida
China: Authorities probe Beijing escalator accident that kills boy
Perhaps the EESF needs an international presence
I declare today: Stair Day – Is there a card for that?
Another baby delivered in an elevator
Mitsubishi to develop ultra-high-speed elevator
4 Month Year Old Dies at City Center mall: India
Two up, one down at Foggy Bottom
Oh the irony, stuck in elevator, then stuck again
Elevator Cable Snaps???? Shame on you I-Team
Malls to install Safety plates along escalators
Man dies in fall off casino escalator
Break an elevator button: Get charged
China: Residents worried as elevators stall, fall
Man falls to death after elevator doors open to empty shaft
Former employee alleges racially hostile work environment
Death by elevator: interesting blog post
Focus on escalator safety in India after accident
Otis “Touch” Button Information
Press conference of elevator mechanic indictment
Not sure what this one means. What’s M2M?
Support the EESF Today!

Seemed fitting to show the race car while here in Atlanta. www.eesf.org

Last show of January and you know what that means….it’s our prize pack giveaway. Next week there will be no show as I will be traveling to Atlanta, GA to attend the Annual Meeting for the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation. I’m excited about the meeting and wish I could stay longer. More information on the accident in NY has surfaced and it’s going to get a lot uglier as the DA gets involved with the investigation. I can’t say it enough, we as an industry need to make sure that training is our number one priority. Sure it’s important to learn about the code but when you get right down to it if there are people out there working on elevators and escalators who are not properly trained they are doing the job incorrectly each and every day. For states that require continuing education credits each year, make them count. It’s not enough to simply just learn about the code. Safety and understanding what can happen if the job is not done correctly is just as important. No one knows it all and each day we all need to learn something new.

Special thanks to the companies who have donated goodies to it!

Fujitec America, GAL, The National Association of Elevator Contractors, The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Peelle, C.J. Anderson, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorGear.com, ElevatorShack.com, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, Elevator Cab Renovations, The Elevator Preservation Blog, ECS Corporation, Parts Specialists, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Elevator History Museum, Code Data Plate.com and  Certified Conveyance Training Corp.

News/Article Links:
Officials state elevator maintenance cause death
DA delves into NY elevator horror – Time out jumper anyone?
12 elevators you need to see to believe
Baby born in elevator
Schindler Port elevator video
The importance of working escalators in mass transit
Engineer testifies escalator was overloaded
Escalator lawsuit settled
How safe are your elevators
EW Unplugged Photo of the Week: WOW!
WTC Trade Center Progress
Dog vs. Elevator Doors – Dog wins
Child loses part of foot in escalator
World Elevator Report Out
Richard Hill, 85, Dies
Courthouse Elevators operating after repairs
Elevator issues lead to Carlsbad Caverns delays
Seniors stuck in elevator
Nowata County approves elevator upgrade
Elevator broke at senior apartment building
CJA Antique elevator fixtures video

I’m back after a short trip to Louisville, KY which I enjoyed a great deal. But it’s catch up time not only at work but on the show as well.  There are quite a few good articles on the program today as I cover two weeks worth of content. As Winter descends upon us here in the Midwest with our first snowfall of the year I’m looking forward to Spring and am counting the days. Thanks for tuning into the show today everyone.  Stay warm and be safe out there.

News/Article Links:
Woman Dies when she rides elevator up to fire floor
Chicago Officials deny old elevator for death of woman
Fire death blamed on multiple items
Preparing for the next fire
Numerous problems with elevator where NY Woman died
More on accident above
Toddler found dangling in Dandenong lift shaft
Broken Metro Elevator Blogger lashes out
Scary elevator death could have been stopped
Elevator repairman cut to pieces in Sharajah lift
UK: Girl looses part of finger to escalator
Giants Stadium escalator trial to resume
Crockett Hotel Sued after fatal elevator accident
ESCO Hydraulic Elevator Video
EIGSC New President’s Message
Old Elevator Dumbwaiter
Escalator Meltdown in Midtown
Escalator company settles, case proceeds against NJ SA
Antique Haughton elevator car hand switch
EW Unplugged Photo of the Week
Delaware Traction elevator at Harrington Towers
Man found in bottom of elevator shaft
Why is this story covered online?
Signs prove effective in prompting people to use stairs
Elevator crippling
Elevator costs raise councils ire
Tenants fret after man falls to death in elevator shaft
Interesting Ad
MTA’s $57M Elevator Plan Makes Enemies
State has $1 Million plan for overdue elevator safety inspections
City reassures nervous workforce after elevator tragedy
Remembering Dr. King

Happy New Year every one. Let’s hope that 2012 proves to be a safer one when it comes to vertical transportation equipment and fewer and fewer accident articles are covered relating to accidents on this program. 2011 had some of the worst accidents in one year, most of which happened in December. And as if both accidents in California and New York weren’t enough another fatality occurred in Texas just last week. I’m not sure there’s a better time for each of us to step up our game in order to make sure these types of accidents don’t occur ever again.  The recent accidents seem to provide evidence that our industry is not headed down the right path. Does lack of training on all fronts appear to be catching up to us? Are we going to accept the same excuses of budgetary constraints as reasons why elevators are not inspected and safe? Are we going to continue to cut each other’s throats on maintenance contracts or not perform maintenance at all? I’d like to ask the unpopular question; if this is where we are at right now, where will we be 10 years from now. This is only the beginning…..

News/Article Links:
Escalator in Columbia sets world record
Boy in fatally injured on elevator
Mitsubishi will have fastest elevator
Cool vintage elevator photo
Lawsuit filed in Manhattan Accident
Woman Dies in Elevator Accident – TX
Parents want law changed after disabled son dropped on escalator
Inside look of a British Cold war bunker
Man dies after three story fall from escalator
Man freed after being trapped in times building elevator
Focus on elevator and escalator safety
No CEA Meeting in January
Firefighters breach wall in NYC Elevator rescue
EW Unplugged Photo the Week
Interesting NY 1910 Stats
Scary Tweet
KONE Strengthens Environmental Leadership
Dupont Circle South Escalators to Close for part of 2012
City of Chicago ProjectDox
EIGSC December Shaft
Elevator Enthusiast finds hobby has Ups and Downs
Elevator through aquarium
Update Mechanic indicted
Capital Employee Garage Austin
Replacing a worn elevator emulator

Last show of the year and I’m ready to put this one behind us. Next week I’ll do my best to put a recap of 2011 together, it’s always something that sounds like a great idea, however when the time comes to actually doing it, it’s quite a daunting task to complete. Thanks to all of you who sent in e-mails regarding the elevator accident in NY and in CA. While most of you wanted to remain anonymous, it’s refreshing to see that there are others who are concerned and who are also true elevator advocates.  It’s another prize pack give away and the last one of the year.

Special thanks to the companies who have donated goodies to it!

Fujitec America, GAL, The National Association of Elevator Contractors, The National Association of Elevator Safety Authorities, The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, Peelle, C.J. Anderson, Truxes, EMS Group, Elevator Bob’s Elevator Pictures, Minnesota Elevator, ElevatorGear.com, ElevatorShack.com, ElevatorU.org, Elevator World Magazine, Elevator Cab Renovations, The Elevator Preservation Blog, ECS Corporation, Parts Specialists, Elevatormanstories.com, Elevator Riders Riding Club, Elevator History Museum, Code Data Plate.com and  Certified Conveyance Training Corp.

News/Article Links:
CA Elevator investigation continues
10 Tragic Elevator accidents
Very cool vertical elevator
Elevator camera shows girl before jump
Tips for elevator mechanics, elevator grafitti
Escalator repairs could mean longer walks at Sea-Tac
Exposed elevator shaftway
Scared of elevators before?
NY Accident, Premises Liability
Santa takes the escalator
Hmmm, $200,000 to nowhere
Site of fatal elevator mishap set to re-open
Elevator electrical work under review
Attorney comments on workman charged in case
Car Switch Video
Esca-Stairs
Giant escalator installed in Colombian city
Mitsubishi Electric to strengthen overseas elevator business
As stated last week, there’s a place for people like this
Otis Elevator at Ocean City, MD
New elevator and bathrooms slated for Beverly City Hall
Despite Recent Fatalities are elevators safe?