Brief Description: Ensuring safe repair, replacement, and maintenance work on elevators.

Sponsors: Representatives Wood and Conway.

Hearing Date: 3/5/03

Staff: Jill Reinmuth (786-7134).

Background:

The Department of Labor and Industries (Department) administers and enforces state laws providing for the safe operation, installation, inspection, and repair of publicly and privately owned elevators, escalators, and other similar conveyances. In general these laws require owners to obtain installation permits from the Department before conveyances are built, installed, moved, or altered. These laws also require owners to obtain operating permits for conveyances. The Department must annually inspect and test conveyances. Consistent with its responsibility to administer and enforce these laws, the Department has adopted rules and established fees for permits and inspections.

In 2002 the Legislature enacted legislation establishing licensing requirements for elevator contractors and mechanics, creating the elevator safety advisory committee, and prescribing penalties. Since then, the Department has begun preparing to implement this legislation.

Summary of Bill:

The Legislature finds that proper repair, replacement, and maintenance work on elevators and other conveyances is essential to protecting workers and the public. The Legislature also declares that certain work in particular facilities should be subject to licensure, and that certain work in other facilities may be subject to other appropriate means of ensuring worker and public safety.

Rules Authority: The bill does not address the rule-making power of an agency.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.