Source: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/docs/2002/acts/act060.htm
Timestamp: 2017-12-13 03:45:25
Document Index: 517807203

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 801', '§ 1010', '§ 145', '§ 150', '§ 144', '§ 143', '§ 149', '§ 151', '§ 152', '§ 156', '§ 150']

NO. 60. AN ACT RELATING TO ELEVATOR SAFETY.
Sec. 1. 21 V.S.A. chapter 3, subchapter 2A is added to read:
Subchapter 2A. Elevators and Conveyances
(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to assure that elevators and other automated conveyances are correctly and safely installed and operated within the state by authorizing and enforcing rules for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of automated people conveyances, and by licensing mechanics and inspectors who work on these conveyances.
(3) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of labor and industry, or the commissioner’s designee.
(6) "Department" means the department of labor and industry.
(8) "Elevator mechanic" means an individual who is licensed by the commissioner to erect, construct, install, alter, service, repair and maintain conveyances.
(9) "Public building" has the same meaning as that term is defined in section 251a of this title.
(b) This subchapter does not cover the conveyances that are regulated by the Vermont tramway board or by the rules of the Vermont occupational and safety administration, or by the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act, 30 U.S.C.A. § 801 et seq.
No person shall erect, construct, wire, alter, replace or maintain any conveyance located in any public building in this state unless the person is licensed as an elevator mechanic.
(a) The elevator safety review board is established within the department, and shall consist of five members, one of whom shall be the commissioner or the commissioner’s designee, and four members to be appointed by the governor as follows: one representative from a major elevator manufacturing company; one representative from an elevator servicing company; an owner or manager of a multistoried building, in which a convenyance is installed; and an individual who actually installs, maintains and repairs conveyances. The members appointed by the governor shall be appointed for staggered terms of three years, and shall be entitled to compensation and expenses as provided in 32 V.S.A. § 1010.
(1) Adopt rules for temporary elevator mechanic licenses in the event of an emergency.
(2) Contract with a national testing service to develop and administer licensing examinations.
§ 145. ELEVATOR MECHANIC LICENSE
An individual shall submit to the commissioner a written application for an elevator mechanic license on a form provided by the board, accompanied by the required fee. A license shall be granted to an applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant meets the qualifications established by the board.
An individual shall submit to the commissioner a written application for an elevator inspector license on a form provided by the board, accompanied by the required fee. A license shall be granted to an applicant who demonstrates to the satisfaction of the board that the applicant meets the qualifications established by the board.
A license for elevator mechanic or inspector shall be issued to an applicant, upon application and payment of the required fee, or to an individual who holds a comparable valid license or certification from a state that has equal or more stringent requirements.
(1) Fraud or deceit in obtaining the license.
(2) Failure to notify the department and the owner or lessee of a conveyance of noncompliance of the conveyance with the standards adopted under this subchapter.
(3) Violation of any provisions of this subchapter.
(b) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, assess an administrative penalty of no more than $1,000.00 against a building owner or lessee who fails to register a conveyance as required by this subchapter 30 days after being directed to do so by the commissioner.
(a) No conveyance shall be erected, constructed, installed or altered in a public building unless a permit has been obtained from the department before work is commenced. Before a material alteration, as defined by rule, is begun, the conveyance shall conform to rules adopted by the board regulating the alteration. A copy of the permit shall be kept at the construction site at all times while work is in progress.
(b) Each application for a permit shall be accompanied by a fee of $25.00, and copies of specifications and accurately-scaled and fully-dimensioned plans that clearly indicate location of the elevator in the building; the location of the machinery room and the equipment to be installed, relocated or altered; all structural supporting members, including foundations; and a specification of all materials to be used and all loads to be supported or conveyed. The plans and specifications shall be sufficiently complete to illustrate all details of construction and design.
(1) A false statement or a misrepresentation of a material fact in the application, plans, or specifications on which the permit was based.
(2) Failure of the permittee to perform work in accordance with the conditions of the permit, the provisions of the application, plans or specifications, or with the standards required by this subchapter.
(e) A permit shall expire if work is suspended or abandoned for more than 60 days after work has begun, or a shorter period of time as the commissioner may specify in the permit. For good cause shown, the commissioner may extend this period.
(b) Every conveyance subject to this subchapter shall be inspected annually by an elevator inspector. An inspector may charge a fee not to exceed $100.00 for each inspection. The inspector shall notify the department if a conveyance is found to be in violation of this subchapter or any rule adopted under this subchapter.
(d) The department may issue a conditional certificate of operation for a conveyance that is not in complete compliance, provided the conveyance has been inspected and determined to be safe for temporary operation. This conditional certificate of operation permits a conveyance to operate for no more than 30 days or until the conveyance is in compliance, whichever occurs first.
A licensed elevator inspector shall submit to the department an insurance policy, or certified copy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in Vermont, that provides general liability coverage in an amount to be determined, by rule.
(1) Order the owner of the premises or the owner’s agent and the individuals performing the work to correct or remove the violation.
(2) Suspend or retract the permit.
(3) Order the owner, a public utility or a private party furnishing electricity to the installation not to connect or disconnect electrical energy from the conveyance until the violation is corrected.
This subchapter shall not be construed to relieve any person that owns, operates, controls, maintains, erects, constructs, installs, alters, inspects, tests or repairs any elevator or other conveyance covered by this subchapter from liability for damages to persons or property caused by any defect in any conveyance.
(c) Any person who erects, constructs, wires, alters, replaces, or maintains any conveyance located in any public building in this state without being licensed as required by this subchapter, or who employs an unlicensed person to perform this work, shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 for each offense.
The elevator safety fund is created for the purpose of funding the elevator safety inspection and licensing program. All revenues from fees collected for licensing elevator mechanics and inspectors, and issuing permits and certificates of operation, shall be deposited in the fund. The commissioner, pursuant to an appropriation from the fund, shall request disbursements from the fund by the commissioner of finance and management. The fund shall be maintained by the state treasurer and shall be managed in accordance with the provisions of subchapter 5 of chapter 7 of Title 32.
On or before January 1, 2003, the commissioner of labor and industry shall report to the General Assembly on the success and status of the elevator safety inspection and licensing program created in Sec. 1 of this act, and the adequacy of the staff and resources provided for the program.
Sec. 3. APPROPRIATION; POSITION AUTHORIZED
(a) There is appropriated to the department of labor and industry from the elevator safety fund in fiscal year 2002, the amount of $90,000.00 to fund the purposes of this act, including payment for consultation services regarding elevator safety.
(b) One (1) new classified position - administrative assistant A - is established and authorized in the department of labor and industry in fiscal year 2002.
Sec. 3a. 21 V.S.A. § 150(b) is amended to read:
(b) The commissioner may, after notice and hearing, assess an administrative penalty of no more than $1,000.00 against a building owner or lessee who fails to register a conveyance as required by this subchapter *[30 days after being directed to do so by the commissioner]*.
(1) Under 21 V.S.A. § 144 (elevator safety review board; members; duties), the members shall be appointed no later than October 1, 2001, and rules shall be adopted by the board no later than January 15, 2002.
(2) The following sections of Title 21 shall take effect on July 1, 2002:
(A) § 143, relating to license required.
(B) § 149, relating to civil penalties; suspension; revocation of license.
(C) § 151, relating to permits.
(D) § 152, relating to new installations; annual inspections and registrations.
(E) § 156, relating to civil penalties; suspension; revocation of license.
(3) 21 V.S.A. § 150(a), relating to registration of existing conveyances, shall take effect on March 1, 2002, and (b), relating to penalties for failure to register a conveyance, shall take effect March 1, 2003.
(4) Sec. 3a shall take effect January 1, 2006.