We recently picked up some Gen 2 units. Otis was so pissy about losing their GEN 2s, they sent mechanics to remove the belt monitors after they lost the service. As an elevator mechanic, I don't think it's good judgement to remove a safety device from a system just because the boss is pissed he lost it.
If something were to happen to the belts and the monitor was removed, I believe the mechanic that removed the device would be held liable in court. This would be no different than disabling and jumping out any other safety device. If your an Otis mechanic and the boss is asking you to remove these devices, you should take a minute and think about the consequences. That's why we sit in those 8 hour pace classes. We're supposed to know better.

In my State it is considered a life safety issue, and by code they are not allowed to be removed. If they are removed a State inspector can come out and lock the car out immediately. I would agree though, it opens up the door for a lot of liabillity even if the local code doesn't require them being in place.

Please see Circular Letter E-12-02
http://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/ertcrltr.html
(Kudos to the Ghost Writer who put this together.)

For Group 2 and 3 conveyances.
Title 8, Cal. Code Regs., section 3000.ASME A17.1-1996, Part XII, Rule 1206.4. Making Safety Devices Inoperative.

For Group 4 Conveyances
Title 8, Cal. Code Regs., section 3141.1. Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement. ASME A17.1-2004, section 8.6.1.6.1. Making Safety Devices Inoperative or Ineffective.

Basically, once a safety device is installed, it shall not be removed.

It is important that the circular letter get to the mechanics in the field. Regretfully there are people with an agenda, not in the public interest, that don't want this brought to the people who service and repair the conveyances. The aforementioned seems like some one individual is putting profits and getting even with the winning competition over safety. In my opinion, they belong in a different industry. But who would have them?

personally i dont have the time to go remove something if its installed. the boss should know that he is the one taking the liability since he is your supervisor telling you to do it. good luck to the other company if they do get a belt monitor shutdown. i believe in cali we are they only company that can re-belt a unit because of the variance. if the unit isnt under contract, ouch.