According to a new report from the Center for Construction Research and Training, elevator-related fatalities in the construction industry are on the rise. A total of 145 construction workers were killed in elevator-related incidents from 2011 through 2016 – more than twice the combined total for all other industries.
Here are some stats from the report:
- The construction industry experiences more elevator-related fatal and nonfatal injuries than any other major industry sector. From 2011 to 2016, elevator-related incidents caused 145 deaths and 2,410 severe injuries among construction workers.
- Although nonfatal injuries involving elevators declined over time, both the number and rate of such fatal injuries increased in recent years.
- More than one-third of elevator-related fatalities occurred while the victim was performing assembling or dismantling tasks, and the majority of elevator-related fatalities in construction were due to falls to a lower level.
- Elevator installers and repairers had the highest risk of fatal injuries among all construction occupations.
- Younger construction workers had a higher risk of both fatal and nonfatal injuries involving elevators than their older counterparts.
- While Hispanic workers had a higher risk of elevator-related fatal injuries, they were less likely to experience nonfatal injuries related to elevators.
- About 25,000 people in the general public were treated at hospitals due to elevator- or escalator-related injuries in 2017, and the number jumped by 30% in the last decade.
To ensure the safe operation of elevators and the protection of employees, OSHA requires employers to assure that employees who install and maintain elevators are adequately trained and knowledgeable about proper installation, wiring, and maintenance procedures. Organizations such as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) have set standards for the construction and maintenance of elevators and escalators and their safe operation. In addition, NIOSH FACE reports have provided specific recommendations on how to prevent elevator-related injuries based on case evaluations.
As an elevator service contractor, you should ask yourself, does your elevator software help prevent accidents? Many of the elevator- and escalator-related deaths and injuries could have been prevented if adequate protection and safe work practices and procedures had been in place. Software like FIELDBOSS Elevator Contractor Management can help prevent accidents from happening. FIELDBOSS provides automatic alerts to notify you of your maintenance jobs, detailed checklists with tasks, all the historical data of previous work done and parts used, lists of all code required tests, and so much more. Our elevator service software puts critical information in the hands of field workers, improves office to field technician communication, as well as technician to technician communication, streamlines processes and boosts productivity. By staying connected, making regular service calls and being up to date on equipment, FIELDBOSS can help you prevent accidents before they happen.
FIELDBOSS stays current on industry trends to keep you informed on what’s happening in the elevator world. Read our blog and sign up for our newsletter for all the latest news.
#ElevatorIndustryChallenges #Elevatormanagementsoftware #Elevatorsafety