Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Changing laws stretch
elevator inspectors

---

By Richard Borreca

Star-Bulletin

Changes in state law are causing a drastic shortage of elevator inspectors, which could halt new construction projects, according to state officials.

Gov. Ben Cayetano is expected to meet with state labor officials this week to search for ways to change state laws to get more inspectors on the job, allow private inspectors to check elevators or increase the time between inspections.

Jennifer Shishido, administrator of the Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Division, explained that the state pays inspectors about $35,000 a year, while private elevator maintenance workers and inspectors get between $60,000 and $80,000.

In the past the state could always attract workers from private business because of the retirement benefits. State workers with 10 years of service would get free medical insurance coverage after they retired. Two years ago the law was changed to require 25 years of service.

At the same time the statewide retirement benefits were being amended, the Legislature also was changing the elevator inspection frequency. According to the new law, elevators must be inspected every eight months, instead of the previous 12 months.

Sam Callejo, Gov. Ben Cayetano's chief of staff, said there has been no impact on local construction because of the shortage of elevator inspectors, but there could be in the future.

"We are working now to come up with some options," he said.

The inspectors check all elevators in hotels, condominiums, hospitals and office buildings. They are also responsible for boilers.

Today the state has only six inspectors, five on Oahu and one on Maui, Shishido said. Retirements at the end of the year are expected to bring the number down to four. The state has budgeted for 10 inspectors.