Res 0749-2015

By Council Members Van Bramer, Mendez, Crowley, Rosenthal, Constantinides, Kallos, Espinal, Koslowitz, Levine, Torres, Ulrich and the Public Advocate (Ms. James) Whereas, The use of unsafe and defective elevators exposes employees and the public to unsafe conditions and imposes substantial probability of serious injury; and Whereas, Improper design, construction, maintenance and repair of such conveyances is preventable by requiring proper training of persons employed to perform work on elevators and by requiring the licensing of contractors and the certification of individuals involved in elevator projects; and Whereas, An alarming number of fatal incidents involving improperly maintained or repaired elevators has occurred across the five boroughs in recent years that could have been prevented by proper training and licensing; and Whereas, Workers in the field of elevator construction, modernization, maintenance and repair have died on the job in incidents that could have been prevented through education and training; and Whereas, Contractors who perform and supervise work that is dangerous to the public must be held accountable; and Whereas, A.1787, introduced by Assembly Member Keith L.T. Wright and pending in the New York State Assembly, and companion bill S.1945, introduced by State Senator John J. Bonacic and pending in the New York State Senate, seek to amend the New York Labor Law and the New York Finance Law by requiring the licensing of persons engaged in the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators and other automated people moving devices; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, A.1787/S.1945, to require the licensing of persons engaged in the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, alteration, and repair of elevators and other people moving devices. 1 2