Deaths prompt concerns over elevator safety_美文

Deaths prompt concerns over elevator safety

Poor and inadequate maintenance was the cause of up to 80 percent of the accidents, experts said.

"Regular maintenance costs about 10,000 yuan ($1,600), but some companies charge only a third of that, which is not enough for the cost of a conscientious upkeep," Xu said.

"It couldn't be more important to have a stricter assessment of manufacturers and maintenance businesses in the elevator industry. Otherwise it won't be surprising if there are more fatal accidents."

China requires all elevators and escalators to undergo checkups and adjustment every 15 days, and more than 20 items are included.

According to insiders, more than 5,000 businesses install and maintain elevators and escalators in China, but the qualifications of most maintenance providers are questionable.

"Most of them are migrant workers with insufficient training, and most took the jobs because they couldn't earn enough in their normal line of work," said Wang Shigui, general manager of Beijing Urban Construction Huiyou Installation Engineering, which installs and provides maintenance service for elevators.

"It's easy to obtain a certificate for these companies, although some only have several temporary, affiliated workers."

A Shanghai Yueling Elevator maintenance worker who asked to be identified as Ni said they do not muddle through their work. Poor quality elevators and inappropriate use by passengers should be blamed sometimes.