Quick Links
- Index of Cal/OSHA services
- File a workplace safety complaint
- Learn about worker rights
- Obtain a free consultation
- Report an accident or injury
Educational Materials
About Cal/OSHA
Cal/OSHA – Elevator Unit - Frequently Asked Questions
Elevator FAQ Index
Inspections
What is the purpose of a State inspection?
When is an inspection required?
Who is authorized to perform inspections?
Miscellaneous
What is the difference between an owner and a responsible party?
Who is responsible for maintaining a current Safety permit for a conveyance?
How do I request a copy of the conveyance records?
How do I get a job as a Safety Engineer?
Is maintenance required for conveyances?
The conveyance in my building acts erratically and/or makes strange noise(s). What should I do?
Elevator Companies
How do I request an inspection of a new or modified conveyance?
When do I request inspection of a new or modified conveyance?
Certification
How do I become a Certified Competent Conveyance Inspector (CCCI)?
How Do I renew my Certified Competent Conveyance Inspector?
How do I become a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC)?
How do I renew my Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC) Certification?
How Do I Become a Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (CCCM)?
How Do I Renew My Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (CCCM) Certification?
Can I Become A Temporary Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (TCCCM)?
Elevator/Building Owners
When should I request an inspection of a conveyance already in use?
I received a Preliminary Order. What do I do?
What conditions can cause the State to shut down my elevator?
My conveyance has been shut off by the State. Now what do I do?
I have shut off the conveyance(s) in my building. Now what do I do?
If an owner/responsible party changes, what should be done?
Who is authorized to perform work on my conveyance?
Permits
I keep getting a one year permit for my conveyance. Is there a permit for a longer period
of time?
How can I get a replacement copy of my permit?
Payments
What is the cost for issuing a copy of the conveyance records?
Why is the invoice payment required to be sent to one location and all other correspondence to
somewhere else?
What will happen if the required payment is not received by the State and recorded within the 60
day timeframe as stipulated?
Can a penalty fee be cancelled? If so, what is the procedure?
What is the fee schedule?
Inspections
| Q. | What is the purpose of a State inspection? |
| A. | A State safety inspection is a multi-purpose activity. For a new device, the inspection serves
to ensure that the device meets the Elevator Safety Orders that are being enforced at that
time. It also verifies that the equipment installed complies with the design parameters. If modernization work is performed on a device, an inspection will validate that the work performed is in compliance with whatever edition of the Elevator Safety Orders that is applicable at that time. As a reinspection it allows the Safety Engineer the opportunity to review the activity and maintenance of the device and to see that the applicable Safety Orders, including whatever periodic tests that may be required, are complied with. The safety of the general public as well as the conveyance maintenance/repair personnel is paramount. |
| Q. | When is an inspection required? |
| A. |
An inspection is to be made whenever the California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Division 1,
Chapter 4, Subchapter 6, Elevator Safety Orders (ESO) require it. Currently, an inspection is
required when a device in first installed as new before it can be released for public use; when
any alteration/modernization work is performed as outlined in the ESO; annually and when a
device has been reactivated after being taken out of service for an extended period of time. Elevators in a multiunit residential building serving no more than two dwelling units that are not accessible to the public shall be inspected by the Division upon completion of installation prior to being placed in service, or after alterations prior to being returned to service. |
| Q. | Who is authorized to perform inspections? |
| A. |
Only Safety Engineers employed by the State of California and Certified Competent Conveyance
Inspectors (CCCI) are authorized to perform inspections in California. A CCCI is
someone who has been determined by the Division to have the qualifications and ability of a
competent conveyance inspector and is certified as a CCCI by the Division.
|
Miscellaneous
| Q. | What is the difference between an owner and a responsible party? |
| A. | Most of the time, the owner and the responsible party are the same. The owner is the owner
of the building/elevator. The owner can designate another person such as a building manager
to act as the responsible party (agent for service) to receive correspondence and invoices,
and maintain service related to the operation of the elevator. Ultimately though, the owner is
responsible for compliance and payment of all elevator related fees and penalties.
|
| Q. | Who is responsible for maintaining a current Safety permit for a conveyance? |
| A. | The owner/responsible party for any location are responsible for maintaining a current Safety
permit for a conveyance.
|
| Q. | How do I request a copy of the conveyance records? |
| A. | Send a written request for a copy of the conveyance records to the effected district office. Be
sure to include a contact telephone number so you can be notified regarding the amount of
payment for those records. Once payment has been received and processed, the records will
be sent to the address provided.
|
| Q. | How do I get a job as a Safety Engineer? |
| A. |
Visit www.dpa.ca.gov for information regarding positions with the State.
|
| Q. | Is maintenance required for conveyances? |
| A. |
Yes. Maintenance requirements are currently based on installation date. In general, Group II and Group III installations require the following: Group IV installation require: The correct Group designation for your installation should be posted on the cover for either the disconnect switch or controller. |
| Q. | The conveyance in my building acts erratically and/or makes strange noise(s). What should I do? |
| A. |
If you are the owner or manager of the building, you should contact the company that has the
contract for conveyance maintenance at that building.
|
Elevator Companies
| Q. | How do I request an inspection of a new or modified conveyance? |
| A. |
If the conveyance is new or altered, the request must be generated by the certified installing
company.
|
| Q. | When do I request inspection of a new or modified conveyance? |
| A. |
The CQCC who installs the conveyance will be asked to verify certain data to confirm that
the conveyance is ready to pass inspection. All requirements, whether elevator or building
related, must be complete for the inspection date to be granted. This will include verification
that all Life/Safety, Emergency Signaling Devices and associated testing requirements per
applicable code have been performed and verified to be operating as intended before the
Division will come to witness such tests. If you have any issues you feel are in conflict with
your installing company, these should be resolved prior to the request for an appointment to
inspect. You can contact the Senior Safety Engineer in the effected District office to request
assistance in the resolution of any conflicts in order to resolve them prior to the inspection
date.
|
Certification
| Q. | How do I become a Certified Competent Conveyance Inspector (CCCI)? |
| A. |
New - Certified Competent Conveyance Inspector (CCCI) Applicants should complete a CCCI application. Completed Applications should be mailed with a check or money order payable to DIR Elevator Safety Account in the amount of $210.00 to: Applicants shall be employed by a licensed insurance company carrying insurance on elevators or by a municipality which maintains an elevator inspection organization, or by the State of California. Applicants shall have had at least four years of experience in some mechanical or electrical endeavor at least one year of which shall have been in the design, construction, installation, repair, or inspection of elevators. Engineering education on a college level may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the non-elevator qualifying experience. The non-elevator mechanical or electrical experience shall be at the journeyman mechanic level or technical work and the work must have been comparable to work in the elevator industry. Applicants must pass a qualifying written examination and a field examination administered by the Division. Immediately prior to the examination, the candidate shall have completed at least 90 days of intensive training in elevator inspection in California under the direct supervision of a certified elevator inspector. The training period may be waived prior to the written examination, however no certificate shall be issued until the candidate has been employed and satisfactorily completed the prescribed training period. |
| Q. | How Do I renew my Certified Competent Conveyance Inspector? |
| A. |
Submit a completed CCCI application (contact the office below for the application) Submit a copy of an approved continuing education certificate Submit a check or money order payable to “DIR Elevator Safety Account” in the amount of $210.00 to:
|
| Q. | How do I become a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC)? |
| A. |
Submit a completed New CQCC Application Submit a copy of an approved continuing education certificate Submit a copy of a current and valid C-11 license Submit a copy of current Workers’ Compensation insurance certificate Submit a copy of current Liability insurance certificate Submit a check or money order payable to “DIR Elevator Safety Account” in the amount of $700.00 to:
|
| Q. | How do I renew my Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC) Certification? |
| A. |
Submit a completed CQCC Renewal application Submit a copy of an approved continuing education certificate Submit a copy of a current and valid C-11 license Submit a copy of current Workers’ Compensation insurance certificate Submit a copy of current Liability insurance certificate Submit a check or money order payable to “DIR Elevator Safety Account” in the amount of $140.00 to:
|
| Q. | How Do I Become a Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (CCCM)? |
| A. |
Submit a completed new CCCM application Applicant must be employed by a CQCC Document a minimum of three years of work experience in the conveyance industry Current employer must sign application to verify current employment and work experience Submit a certificate of completion from an approved apprenticeship program; (NEIEP, CET, or CAT) Or Earn a passing score on a qualifying exam administered by the Division. Submit a check or money order payable to “DIR Elevator Safety Account” in the amount of $210.00 to :
|
| Q. | How Do I Renew My Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (CCCM) Certification? |
| A. |
Submit a completed CCCM Renewal application Applicant must be employed by a CQCC Document work experience covering the previous two years Current employer must sign application to verify current employment and work history Submit a copy of an approved continuing education certificate Submit a check or money order payable to “DIR Elevator Safety Account” in the amount of $140.00 to:
|
| Q. | Can I Become A Temporary Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic (TCCCM)? |
| A. |
YES. An employer must have personnel needs that cannot be met by the available pool of
Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanics. Employer must submit a completed TCCCM application A TCCCM candidate must qualify with one of the following methods: All applicants must submit a copy of an approved continuing education certificate. Submit a check or money order payable to DIR Elevator Safety Account in the amount of $35.00 Initial TCCCM certification may be granted for six months Subsequent certifications require the submittal of a new TCCCM application and $35.00 fee monthly. TCCCM assignments are subject to the approval of Local 8 or Local 18 for IUEC members. |
Elevator/Building Owners
| Q. | When should I request an inspection of a conveyance already in use? |
| A. |
You can request an inspection 30 days prior to the expiration of the current permit.
|
| Q. | How do I request an inspection of a conveyance already in use? |
| A. |
By contacting the
Elevator District office associated with the address of the location of your
elevator, you can receive a copy of your request for a reinspection of your conveyance.
Please be prepared to make this request by including the actual address
and/or conveyance number which is on your current permit or any associated paperwork
from the Division. Please provide a fax number for the receipt of this request which will fulfill
your responsibility until acted upon. This can be presented to any interested party that is requesting
from you the status of your action to recertify the permit to operate. It will be added
to the conveyance file and the request to inspect your conveyance will be acted upon in the
timliest response possible.
|
| Q. | I received a Preliminary Order. What do I do? |
| A. |
On the document you received from the Division there should be an address, phone and fax
number. You can call that office to verify correctness and send the required written notice of
corrections to the specified district office. If your elevator service company has stated that they
will contact the Division with this written documentation, please note that the responsibility for
this written notification of compliance of all requirements is yours and do not rely on any other
agreement. Some of the requirements are building related and the elevator company does not
clear them.
|
| Q. | What conditions can cause the State to shut down my elevator? |
| A. |
If your conveyance has been secured by the State it is due to one or more circumstances. The most common reason is noncompliance with the ESO write-up(s) identified in your Preliminary Order from a prior inspection. If you fail to submit verification from a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company that the requirements have been corrected within the allotted time frame, the conveyance can be shut down. If the inspector finds a code violation that is considered an imminent hazard, rather than run the risk of a possible injury or accident, they will secure the device. If you have failed to pay the inspection fees and/or penalties resulting from an inspection, an Order Prohibiting Use will be issued and the conveyance will be secured. |
| Q. | My conveyance has been shut off by the State. Now what do I do? |
| A. |
After shutting off an elevator, DOSH inspectors leave an Order Prohibiting Use (OPU) at the
site with a responsible party. If you cannot find the OPU, call the Elevator Unit district office
for your area and explain the situation. Be sure to have the State ID number for the device in
question as well as the street address where the device is located. If work is required to bring the conveyance into code compliance, ensure that it is done by a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC). If your conveyance has been shut off for lack of payment, click here to find out how to remit payment. |
| Q. | I have shut off the conveyance(s) in my building. Now what do I do? |
| A. |
If you have the authority to secure the conveyance(s) in your building, your actions should conform
to the applicable suggested procedures for removing an installation from service. Any Certified Qualified Conveyance Company (CQCC) may be able to perform this
duty. After securing your conveyance(s) you should send a written notice to the District office for your area. It should state what was done, who did it, length of time for the device to be shut down and who to contact for any other information that may be required. |
| Q. | If an owner/responsible party changes, what should be done? |
| A. |
The new owner and/or the responsible party should notify the pertinent Elevator Unit district
office
to report any changes to the ownership/administration of any conveyance.
It is recommended that a review for any outstanding code violations or unpaid invoices
be made as soon as possible.
|
| Q. | Who is authorized to perform work on my conveyance? |
| A. |
In accordance with the California Labor Code, only a Certified Competent Conveyance Mechanic
working for a Certified Qualified Conveyance Company is authorized to perform any
maintenance, repairs, alterations, or replacements on any conveyance subject to those orders.
|
Permits
| Q. | I keep getting a one year permit for my conveyance. Is there a permit for a longer period of time? |
| A. |
At this time a two-year permit is available. The details of eligibility are in the Elevator Safety
Orders (ESO). If you are not the owner or manager, you should contact those individuals to take corrective action. If after contact, nothing appears to be done to address the issue, you can contact the ESO District office for your area. You will need to provide the name and contact telephone number of the owner or responsible party that has been contacted. |
| Q. | How can I get a replacement copy of my permit? |
| A. |
Request a copy of your permit from the appropriate office. Currently the cost for replacing a
permit is $15. A copy of a permit can only be issued if the permit is current. |
Payments
| Q. | What is the cost for issuing a copy of the conveyance records? |
| A. |
The cost for copies of conveyance records is subject to change without prior notice. Currently
record copies cost $0.50 per page plus postage.
|
| Q. | Why is the invoice payment required to be sent to one location and all other correspondence to somewhere else? |
| A. |
Each District office handles the technical and administrative duties for their respective territories.
Invoicing is centralized for the entire State in our San Francisco office. |
| Q. | What will happen if the required payment is not received by the State and recorded within the 60 day timeframe as stipulated? |
| A. |
Invoices must be paid within the 60 days allotted. All invoices have a completion date shown
on the document. The necessary time to process the payment is included in that 60 day window. Invoices not paid within 60 days are charged a 100% penalty payment. A second invoice is generated for the penalty and payment of that invoice is also required. Seventy-five days (75) after non-payment, accounting notifies the responsible party. Failure to pay either the original fee and/or the penalty can result in an Order Prohibiting Use (OPU) and the State may shut down the conveyance. |
| Q. | Can a penalty fee be cancelled? If so, what is the procedure? |
| A. |
There may be extenuating circumstances that would cause cancellation of a penalty payment.
That determination would have to be made at Headquarters. Headquarters is currently
located in San Jose, CA and can be reached at (408) 362-2120.
|
| Q. | What is the fee schedule? |
| A. |
Fees vary based on the type of equipment and the inspection.
|