The city's Department of Buildings released the results of its investigation into the horrific elevator accident that killed an advertising executive at a Madison Avenue office building in December. As expected, the elevator maintenance company Transel is being blamed for the malfunction, and the city has suspended its license and will move to have it revoked entirely. According to the report (embedded below), video footage shows Transel workers leaving the building at 9: 55 a.m. One minute later, Suzanne Hart was crushed to death as two other employees looked on in horror.
"These workers and their supervisors failed to follow the most basic safety procedures, and their carelessness cost a woman her life," Robert D. LiMandri, the Buildings Department commissioner, said in a statement. "Failing to post warning signs about the work and allowing this elevator back into service without proper safeguards are clear violations of the Building Code and their blatant disregard for the law and public safety is inexcusable. If these safety measures were in place, this tragedy would have been prevented."
Suzanne Hart
After a two month investigation, the DOB and DOI found that "an elevator mechanic was using a 'jumper' wire the morning of the incident to bypass the safety circuits and move certain elevators, including elevator 9, so workers could gain access to the tops of the elevator cabs. The use of a “jumper” wire is commonplace during maintenance and repairs and is acceptable by industry standards and DOB regulations, but it must be removed before the elevator is put back into service to avoid an unsafe condition."
Video security footage from the lobby shows that seconds before the victim attempted to enter elevator 9, two passengers entered the elevator and pressed call buttons, which would have prompted the cab to move to a higher floor. The elevator then shot upward with the doors open, which, according to investigators, is "indicative of a 'jumper' wire being used in the control room to bypass the door locks."
According to the report, "just as Hart entered the elevator cab's doorway, the elevator accelerated upward while its doors were still open. The moving elevator struck Hart at approximately knee level causing her to fall forward into the elevator cab. The elevator continued to move upward, trapping Hart between the elevator door saddle and the hoist way wall. The elevator cab came to a stop approximately 20 feet about the lobby landing sill." Hart's body wasn't removed until seven hours after she was killed.
In addition, investigators say workers from Transel Elevator "failed to follow basic safety procedures before the incident, such as placing caution tape across the elevator’s door jamb, and notifying DOB to inspect the elevators before putting them back in service, as required by the New York City Building Code." You can read the report in its entirety below. The suspension prevents Transel from performing any elevator upgrades, new installations, or inspections. And the DOB has already issued 23 violations to the company, with a minimum penalty of $117,000, including violations for operating elevator 9 without a certificate of compliance.
A spokesperson for Transel did not immediately reply to requests for comment. issued this statement: "Transel continues to operate its business based on the licenses in force, as it has over its 25 year history, with a strong commitment to safety as shown by its excellent safety record and commitment to the highest level quality service and to ensuring the safety of its workers and the public. While the accident was a terrible tragedy and Transel shares the grief that has been expressed to the family and friends of the woman involved, Transel has fully cooperated throughout the investigation and will oppose the revocation of Mr. Fichera's private license sought by the DOB, and its findings, in the appropriate forum."
DOB Report On Transel's Alleged Culpability In Fatal Elevator Accident
