NEII Insider 2022: Edition 1

Kansas Legislature Considering New Elevator Program

On January 19, NEII Executive Director Amy Blankenbiller testified before the Kansas House Committee on Federal & State Affairs along with the Elevator Industry Work Preservation Fund (EIWPF) lobbyist, John Federico, in support of a bill to establish a new elevator program and licensing requirements. The industry also hosted an educational breakfast the following morning where NEII was able to present an overview of elevator systems to of the House committee. Rick Lowenberg, President of MEI Total Elevator Solutions (MEI), Kevin Sullivan (EIWPF), and Richard Sargent with the International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 12 provided general remarks supporting the need for this important safety measure. MEI has the service contract at the Kansas Statehouse, and additional members of the MEI team were available to provide specific details of the historic building and its unique elevators with the legislators who participated in a demonstration at the antique cage elevator installed in the 1920s.

Currently, Kansas is one of only two states – Delaware being the other – that does not have a statewide elevator program. NEII advocates for the implementation of elevator programs in every jurisdiction to prioritize safety and standardize the safety requirements that protect elevator personnel and the riding public.

We will report on the outcome in Kansas as this legislative session proceeds.

New Elevator Outage Reporting Requirements in Ontario

Effective July 1, 2022, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) will require elevator owners to record extended elevator outages for public reporting. Owners of elevators in residential buildings and long-term care facilities will be required to report elevator outages that last more than 48-hours as part of an initiative to improve elevator availability, safety and maintenance. Reporting must be completed within 30-days of the elevator resuming service. As part of the new rule, TSSA will make elevator outage information available to the public on their website.

Code Development Update

Changes for the 2022 edition of ASME A17.1/CSA B44 are currently in the Public Review stage. The public review for the first group of changes has closed, and comments are being reviewed by the various ASME committees. Comments on the final group of proposals will be accepted until February 8, 2022.

The Group B code update cycle for the 2024 I-Codes is also underway. Committee Action Hearings will be held in Rochester, NY, in March/April to review proposed changes. All proposals will be subject to a public review period that should occur mid-year, with final action being taken during the Public Comment Hearings in September. Group B includes IBC-Structural, IEBC, IRC and IECC. Group A changes were completed last year.

ICC A117.1 is the third codein an update cycle at this time. The committee is planning to start review of public proposals in March. The schedule for the cycle is still being finalized.

COVID-19 Updates

Recently, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the mandate issued by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration requiring employers to ensure either vaccination against COVID-19 or the periodic testing of its workforce. The Supreme Court also allowed a similar federal mandate for health care workers at health care facilities that receive Medicare and Medicaid funds to remain in place.

The federal decision has no effect on a similar employer mandate in New York City which remains in place. Masking and vaccination policies continue to vary considerably across the country in both the public and private sector. Contractors and individuals are encouraged to consult with customers and appropriate agencies of government for current requirements when engaging a job site.