Jobsite Safety and Worker Protection
Control hazardous energy
Lockout/tagout is central. Know the sequence: notify affected workers, shut down, isolate, apply locks and tags, release stored energy, verify zero energy, then work. Stored energy in elevators includes the counterweight, hydraulic pressure, and charged capacitors in drives. Trap: assuming the mainline disconnect removes all energy; the counterweight can move the car and hydraulic pressure remains.
Fall protection and pit work
Guard openings, use pit ladders correctly, and never work under a suspended car without proper blocking or car-top restraints. Know that pit work requires stop switches and adequate lighting, and that car-top operation requires a functioning inspection station and top-of-car stop switch. Trap questions describe reaching from a ladder into a hoistway instead of using a proper platform.
Electrical and mechanical hazards
Use PPE, insulated tools, and proper meter ratings. Treat control circuits as energized until verified. Mechanical hazards include rotating sheaves, ropes under tension, and pinch points at door operators. Escalator work adds step and comb-plate hazards and requires stopping and locking the unit.
Worked example
A mechanic must clear a jam in a door operator. Rule of thumb: place the car on inspection, open the disconnect and apply a personal lock, verify zero voltage at the operator, then clear the jam and restore in reverse order. Never rely on another worker to hold a switch.
Communication and rescue readiness
Know emergency procedures, including manual lowering of hydraulic cars and emergency evacuation of passengers by trained personnel only. Traps test whether a candidate would attempt a rescue without training or without notifying the building.