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During a recent trip to Chicago, Illinois, ElevatorInfo had the chance to sit down and talk with Nate Hefner, a U.S. Veteran working as an elevator mechanic in Chicago. Nate did not always plan for a career in the elevator trade; in fact, his degree is in Architecture. After transitioning out of active duty as…
When working on elevators, escalators, or other types of conveyance equipment, safety must always be the number one priority. Most work-related injuries suffered by elevator technician/constructor mechanics and apprentices are caused by distractions, complacency, overconfidence, incomplete or improperly worn personal protective equipment (PPE), or a lack of safety training. In an environment where work is…
The International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) has recently worked in collaboration with Survival Systems USA in Groton, CT, to offer Global Wind Organization (GWO) Basic Training to elevator technicians/constructors who install, maintain, service, and repair wind industry equipment. According to Survival Systems, the GWO Basic Safety Training program (GWO-BST) “was created as the safety…
“The first thing that’s important here at TK Elevator is the safety of the mechanics, and that’s our first priority, always, every day,” says Mary Salvo, service superintendent for IUEC signatory contractor TK Elevator. ElevatorInfo recently met with Mary in Chicago, Illinois, to talk about strategies she uses to ensure the mechanics on her team…
The sound of a passing subway car on a set of elevated tracks and the distinct smell of Chicago-style pizza were in the air when ElevatorInfo arrived outside of the brand new, glass-walled structure where @IUEC Local 2 member and @TKElevator mechanic Mike Durkin oversees a variety of conveyance equipment that includes 31 elevators, eight…
When we first met Hector Saldana, president of IUEC Local 25 and Mechanic-in-Charge (MIC) for Schindler Elevator Company at a new construction site just outside of Denver, he’d just geared up with a full set of personal protective equipment (PPE). He immediately asked us to do the same, as we were about to enter an…
Several years ago, members of the IUEC Safety Committee and staff from the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund were reviewing on-the-job accidents that had led to fatalities for elevator constructors. A scenario that came up several times was one in which an elevator constructor was struck by a descending car while standing on a pit…
As a building owner, scheduling periodic elevator maintenance checks on your properties is crucial to ensuring a safe ride for your passengers. Simple, routine maintenance checks performed by professional elevator mechanics can prolong elevator life and reduce energy waste, providing a smoother, safer travel experience while saving you time and money. Routine elevator maintenance will…
IUEC mechanics have the knowledge, skills, and experience necessary to fulfill the needs of the wind power industry. If you are a wind tower owner or operator, don’t assume unnecessary risk by allowing your equipment to be serviced by inexperienced hands. IUEC mechanics go through a rigorous four-year USDOL-Registered Apprenticeship program at the National Elevator…
Did you know that when riding an escalator some footwear, including foam clogs and flip-flops, can be dangerous? Every year, children and adults sustain injuries to their toes and feet at shopping malls, hotels, and other areas with escalators. According to ABC News article, some people have reported that kids wearing foam clogs have had…