Since elevator inspections were privatized in 2000, more inspections are occurring and there are fewer violations per elevator. The percentage of elevators receiving annual safety inspections has increased, but 3,190 elevators were not inspected in Fiscal Year 2006-07 as required by law. To address this problem, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation's Bureau of Elevator Safety hired a private firm to notify elevator owners that they are overdue for an inspection and that their certificates of operation will be revoked if inspections are not completed. In addition, the bureau has begun tracking elevator accidents that require medical intervention or result in death.
Bureau and private inspectors demonstrate differences in how they interpret elevator safety standards, with bureau inspectors finding violations that were undetected by private contractors. The Legislature may wish to amend the elevator safety statute to require inspectors to respond to bureau inquires about these cases, as many contractors have been unresponsive, citing the bureau's lack of statutory authority.

Elevator Safety Inspections Are Improving, But DBPR Still Lacks Authority to Require Private Inspectors to Explain Inspection Result Discrepancies
Report 09-37 October 2009
Division of Hotels and Restaurants Improves Operations and Makes Progress in Meeting Inspection Goals
Report 07-41 October 2007

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.