Elevator-related accidents in 2015 killed at least five people across New York, including a worker last month at Tonawanda Coke. To improve safety, state Senator Marc Panepinto is pushing a bill mandating training for elevator mechanics. Ten percent of the nation's elevators are located in New York and the state is one of only 16 that has no training requirements. Proposed legislation would require four years of work experience, training and the passage of a written exam to obtain a license.
"New York is the Empire State. We should be leading in safety, not lagging behind 34 other states. That's a little bit embarrassing," Panepinto said at a news conference Thursday.
Panepinto says he was "shocked" last year to learn that a license is not required in New York to work on an elevator. He says changes have been opposed in the past due to an industry desire for lower-wage workers.
Don Winkle with IUEC Local 14 says companies and building owners should not be allowed to put the public in danger.
"Elevators and escalators are considered transportation. They carry more people, every day, than every other form of transportation combined. Yet there's no legislation that controls any type of person that installs them or any type of licensing," said Winkle.
Winkle points out that Albany does require training and licensing for jobs like hair stylists and nail technicians.
Panepinto is calling on the Republican-controlled Senate to allow the bill to be voted on. He says the Assembly has passed similar legislation several times.