A Safety Perspective

Safety is one of the most important considerations in this industry, if not the most important. Without a strict adherence to it, we are all at risk — those working in the field and the riding public. This issue, we focus on Safety Components and Procedures. Various articles in this issue highlight projects, procedures, codes and even events that promote safety:

• In this issue’s Consultant’s Voice column, author Colin Craney discusses Car Top Balustrades and Work at Height. He asks and tries to answer if the current protective measures are suitable for the work to be performed. He looks at EN 81-20 provisions for lift car top balustrades and work at height (a key industry safety requirement) in terms of wider U.K. health and safety regulation, which is of interest, particularly in relation to indications of a wider industry lack of understanding, and some misunderstanding, of the requirements.

• In Uplifting Elevator Safety Awareness Together, Anitha Raghunath and Raghu G, directors of Virgo Communications and Exhibitions in Bangalore, India, report on their inaugural Elevator Safety Run, which saw substantial participation from OEMs, international industry professionals and locals.

• Winchester’s Star Illuminated chronicles the installation of Stannah’s light-filled passenger lift in Winchester Cathedral. The project inspires visitors even as it provides them with a safe means to access the historic building.

• EW UK Correspondent Madeleine Olausson recently attended the highly anticipated launch of a new industry safety product, the AiO™ speed watcher by Atwell International. She provides details of the event and the product in her report, AiO Speed Watcher.

Beyond our focus topic, we highlight several companies hitting major milestones, significant local projects and much more. Here are a few highlights: 

• Three-Million Milestone. Invertek Drives Ltd. celebrates producing its three-millionth variable frequency drive amidst continued expansion and growth.

• “Affinity” for Success. Brothers Andrew and Fraser Renwick of Caltech Lifts in Dundee, Scotland, discuss the purchase of their new headquarters, which will enable the next phase of the company’s ambitious growth plan.

• The Social Value Act. EW UK Correspondent Jason Halligan discusses how the Public Services Act (commonly known as the Social Value Act) came to be and its role in the future.

• King’s Cross S5 — Cadence. KONE and Laing O’Rourke collaborate on this first-of-a-kind installation in London.

• More Than Just a Showcase. Authors Vijay Pandya and Sheetal S. Patil report on the inaugural Smart Lift & Mobility World 2024 international exhibition in Bangalore, India.

• Adaptable and Innovative. There is detailed description of Schindler MetaCore, a product for when buildings need to change or add functions.

• Connected Lifts. Digital Evolution. This is a wide-ranging article on all the many new forms of computer, elevator and human interaction now and in the future.

There is much more in this wide-ranging issue. We hope you find articles that speak to you in it. Let us know what you like in these pages and what else you’d like us to cover in the future (angie@elevatorworld.com).