An elevator inspector has three areas of responsibility: conduct safety inspections, supervise elevator maintenance, and design elevator safety tests. An elevator inspector is a licensed elevator mechanic who has a combination of education and experience working with elevators. All elevator inspectors have a minimum of five years' working experience as an elevator mechanic.
An elevator inspector typically works for a government department, safety agency, or for the elevator installation and maintenance company. Elevator safety is a very high priority, and this is the primary role of the elevator inspector. There are a very small number of elevator installation companies in the world, and they have close ties to workplace and construction safety agencies.
People who enjoy working with their hands, are mechanically inclined, and naturally outgoing report the greatest satisfaction as an elevator inspector. As an elevator inspector, you will meet with clients, other trades professionals, and electrical mechanics. The ability to interact with others while communicating clearly and effectively is very important. A personal commitment to safety and high standards are very important in this job.
The elevator inspector’s primary role is one of safety. Although the details vary, most states have laws regarding the frequency of elevator inspections, the qualification of the inspector, and the exact items that must be reviewed as part of the inspection. The purpose of all this legislation is to ensure that elevators are safe, regularly maintained, and not prone to sudden breakdowns.
Many firms use certified elevator inspectors as mechanic supervisors. Working directly for the elevator maintenance firm, they are responsible for supervising the work of elevator mechanics, completing an inspection and providing advice as required. This allows the company to maintain a very high inspection pass rate and provide a high quality service to their clients.
Many elevator inspectors also work with safety agencies and mechanical engineers to design new elevator safety tests. Although there is a well developed battery of tests in Europe and North America for elevators, development has been slightly slower in the developing nations. The climate difference, availability of specific equipment and trained engineers has impacted the types of tests currently conducted.
Working with international standard agencies, these inspectors devise new tests for climate with high humidity, elevators that are exposed to very high or very low temperatures, high wind speed and other challenges. This work is critical to maintaining the current levels of elevator safety around the world.