May 2019 Elevator Constructor

Brothers and Sisters:

With the start of the Spring semester, I began my first NEIEP teaching experience with RC 600, solid state electronics. When I took this as a distance learning class as the brand new apprenticeship program was being rolled out across the International, I considered it the single most challenging course in the curriculum.

The unit material is dense and if you have a marginal grasp on electronics to begin with, the gauntlet is laid down. I struggled through and passed the unit tests and final by the barest of margins. After all, seventy equals one hundred. When it came time to study for the mechanics test, I was bound and determined to not struggle through and be satisfied with “just good enough.” I studied the material until I could almost recite it forward and back and when it came time for the test I was prepared.

Now that I’m teaching it, I find myself excited to sit down and review the material at home and then present it in class.

When doing the review of Ohm’s Law, I had each of the apprentices Ohm themselves out and figure how many amps they would draw when exposed to 120 volts. Some were higher than others and some barely registered but, the experience tried to drive home the need for electrical safety. It only takes a tiny amperage to stop a heart.

Recently an escalator repair team was reinstalling a bull gear. The team that removed the gear had to have the disconnect removed in order to have enough room to maneuver the gear out. A licensed electrical contractor did the removal. When it came time to reinstall the disconnect, the contractor came out and found that there was voltage on the taped up leads.

After many phone calls and investigation it was found that the two escalators, both the up and the down, were fed by the same breaker in the vault which was LOTO during the removal. The customer, not wanting both his units out of service, had the breaker put back in to run the other unit.

There is a lot wrong with this scenario. Had things gone a bit differently, I’d be writing an obituary for a good friend and long time colleague, one of my students or both. The large takeaway is very simple, no matter what you are doing, take nothing for granted.

Work smart…

Work safe…

and, most importantly, SLOW DOWN for safety.

Where are they working?

John Goggin and Ed Gimmel changing sheave liners at North Point Office for Schindler,

Bob Rawdon and Dion Yatsko at 145 Rich Street in Columbus doing a mod for Gable,

Todd Miner and Joe Wallace from Local 93 (Nashville) doing training for Thyssen at Tri-C Westshore,

Kenny Jung and Jason Tischler at St. Luke’s Manor repairing water damage for Schindler,

Ed Gimmel and Brian Chambers doing full load tests at Progressive Field for Schindler,

Tom Peska and Ernie Rodriguez unloading a truck at Holiday Inn Express in Madison for Schindler,

Bill Sellers heading to Pittsburgh to do a jack for Kone,

John Goggin and Tim Gibbons doing cable work at Saxon House for Schindler,

Mitch Klemp and Kyle Loza from Local 45 doing a mod at the VA for Gable,

Billy Ralph and Cody Watson from Local 31 installing two hydros at the Holiday Inn Madison for Schindler,

Scott Hicks and Tino Chiabia at Vista Springs in Independence installing two 2-stop hydros for Gable,

Jeff Lindell at Nationwide Insurance on Columbus finishing an escalator mod for Kone.
The Brothers and Sisters of Local 17 send their condolences to the families of Brother Jim Horvath as his widow passed away and Brother Tim Moennich whose sister-in-law passed way.

As of this writing the bench is clear.

Until next month,

Work smart, work safe and slow down for safety.
Don
DKnapik@windstream.net