The next time you step into an elevator, you may want to take a look around to avoid deadly consequences.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently reinstated a 2018 recall for certain elevators that can fall unexpectedly, leaving riders injured and in one case killing a person.
Listen to your favorite News/Talk station now on Audacy
Related
The elevators were made by Wisconsin-based Waupaca Elevator Company. They were recalled in October 2018 after regulators received reports of the elevator cab stopping abruptly and falling unexpectedly to the bottom of the elevator shaft.
As part of the 2018 recall, Waupaca agreed to provide a free gearbox inspection and to install a free overspeed safety device, if an oil sample test showed an elevated level of wear. However, the CPSC says Waupaca and its dealers have an extensive backlog of overspeed safety device installations, which may take several years to complete.
Buildings that have these elevators installed should have them placed out of service until the proper repairs have been made. But for peace of mind, individuals can look for a plaque inside the elevator that reads "Waupaca Elevator Co. Appleton, WI." with a weight capacity of 450 or 500 pounds. If you see one, you might want to consider taking the stairs.
Waupaca has received 15 reports of the elevator cab falling unexpectedly, including three incidents since the 2018 recall announcement. Two of the incidents involved elevators that had oil samples taken, but that had not received the overspeed safety device.
In one incident from August 2018, a resident in Milbrae, California died. Other injuries caused by elevators falling include broken bones and strained or sprained knees and ankles.
The recalled elevators were sold and installed by Waupaca Elevator dealers nationwide from 1979 through 2008, for between $5,000 and $14,000.
Related
