Home Forums General Discussion Safety Talk Fatality at CSLUB

A couple of days ago, there was an entrapment at Ca State Univ Long Beach, in the Foundation Building. Two three stop hydros, I think. One elevator was down for repairs. This lady got stuck between 2nd and 3rd landings, in the one running elevator.

The reporting by various news sources is not that clear, but this is what I have gathered-
Someone helped her get the doors open, at the third floor, reported to be a university employee.
As she was climbing out from the car onto the third floor, the elevator came down, and crushed her torso, killing her. As far as I know, she was not severed.

The questions I have are these-
1. What is a university employee doing, "wedging the doors open"? Is he licensed and certified to work on conveyance devices?
2. Did anyone in managment influence, directly or indirectly, this employee to attempt the "rescue"?
3. Does the University have a safety training program for it's employees, where the issue of elevators is covered, especially concerning entrapments?
4. If there was a door restrictor, was it working?
5. Should door restictors be retroactively be installed on existing installations?
6. Why did the elevator come down? Did someone open manual lowering, either an elevator man, unaware the doors had been opened? Or maybe another university johnny-on-the-spot hero was working at cross purposes with his co-hero?
7. Was the elevator company on contract called first?
8. Did a Local 18 elevator mechanic have anything to do with this death?

Such a needless death. Such ignorance.

it will be interesting to hear what happened. people just don't understand the dangers. even with all the safety devices on modern elevators people still get hurt. people are in such a hurry that they risk their own life or others and its only getting worse. im sure with the other elevator out of service there was pressure on someone to get in into operation asap.

I heard the story alittle different. I'll just say it was one of the Big 3's job. It's really to soon to speculate. If it's how I heard the story it was a Fatal and Gruesome Accident involving a repair crew and the riding public.

Halfpick,
Do you mean the elevator was on automatic, or indo, then this lady gets in, then one of our brothers moved the car?

We've had several safety meetings on this same scenario. I really hope that a mechanic did not move this elevator without verifying the situation. This will surely be the the topic of future safety meetings and reminds us to slow down and verify the situation even under intense entrapment conditions.
I don't care if the building manager or engineer is standing over me and yelling at me, that elevator is not moving until I know what's up with the elevator and occupant.

That's exactly the right attitude, every CCCM should have.

I really don't know the condition of the elevator. That's why it is important to not speculate till we hear the full story. As for releasing passengers....I've told fire chiefs to leave the building or I'm walking. I don't fight fires for a living and they shouldn't work on elevators. Life saving issues are different!......

Never work on an elevator unless you are absolutely positive you have total control. I've heard so many sad story's. That little bit of saved time is just not worth it. I could go on and on but you guys know what I'm talking about..