Michigan Licensing, Permit, and Rigging on a Buried Cylinder Job
A Michigan-licensed elevator contractor is replacing a buried submersible hydraulic cylinder at a four-story school. The crew includes one licensed elevator mechanic, two apprentices, and one laborer. One apprentice is registered in Michigan; the other is from Ohio and is not registered in Michigan. The contractor plans to use a 2-ton chain fall hooked to a 6-in steel I-beam to lift the 1,800 lb cylinder. The beam has no load-rating tag and its span is 12 ft. The permit application has been submitted but not issued. The contractor wants to start demolition on Friday because the school is on break. The pit contains about 4 ft of water.
1. Who may perform the elevator work, and what must be verified about the apprentices?
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The elevator work must be performed by properly licensed or registered personnel under the supervision of the licensed elevator mechanic. The Michigan-registered apprentice may work under that supervision within the apprentice's permitted scope. The Ohio apprentice cannot be treated as qualified merely because of out-of-state experience; verify whether Michigan recognizes the credential or requires registration before the apprentice performs elevator work. The laborer must not perform elevator installation, alteration, or repair work.
Before work starts, the contractor should confirm each worker's Michigan credential or approved registration, the required supervision, and any ratio limits that apply. Document the supervision assignment. If the Ohio apprentice is not properly registered, assign that person only non-elevator labor or remove them from the crew until registration is resolved.
2. Can demolition begin before the permit is issued? What inspection sequence applies?
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No. Elevator installation, alteration, and repair work requiring a permit must not begin until the permit is issued by the Michigan authority. Submitting an application is not approval, and the school being on break does not override the permit requirement. Starting demolition could expose the contractor to stop-work orders, penalties, and problems with the final inspection.
Once the permit is issued, follow the required inspection sequence: notify the authority before covering work, obtain the required inspections, and do not place the elevator in service until final acceptance. Keep the permit and approved plans on site. If the scope changes from repair to alteration, amend the permit before proceeding.
3. Evaluate the rigging plan and the water hazard. What must be done before lifting?
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The 2-ton chain fall has enough nominal capacity for an 1,800 lb cylinder, but that does not approve the beam. The 6-in I-beam has no load rating and a 12 ft span, so a competent person or engineer must verify its capacity, connections, and anchorage for the lifted load plus shock. Do not hang a chain fall from an unrated beam by guesswork.
Before lifting, pump or control the 4 ft of water in the pit, provide safe access, and use fall protection as required. Use a proper sling and taglines, keep workers out from under the load, and barricade the area. The rigging plan should identify the lift points, sling angles, beam capacity, and the person in charge. If the beam cannot be verified, use a rated temporary lifting beam or other engineered arrangement.