Rhode Island § 23-33-1 - Elevators, Escalators, and Dumbwaiters

§ 23-33-1. Definitions.

In this chapter unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) “Authorized inspector” means an inspector of elevators employed by (i) an insurance company, or making inspection for an insurance company, or (ii) any person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of inspecting elevators, to whom, under the provisions of this chapter, a permit is issued either as a result of an examination or because of experience and fitness, as determined by the chief of the division of occupational safety.

(2) “Building” means any structure existing or hereafter erected in any part of this state except a private dwelling when used as such, and except any building located on a United States government reservation.

(3) “Chief inspector” means the existing position of chief elevator inspector as appointed by the director of labor and training.

(4) “Code of rules” means the standard code of rules formulated and adopted by the code commission for occupational safety and health under the provisions of this chapter and of chapter 20 of title 28.

(5) “Commission” means the code commission for occupational safety and health created under § 28-20-22.

(6) “Compliance inspector” means an industrial safety technician (also known as a safety compliance inspector) who holds a certification as a qualified elevator inspector as required by the American society of mechanical engineers and is appointed by the director of labor and training under the provisions of chapter 20 of title 28.

(7) “Director” shall mean the director of labor and training or his or her duly authorized representative.

(8) “Elevator” means a hoisting and lowering mechanism equipped with a car or platform which moves in guides in a substantially vertical direction. The term “elevator” or other device, whenever used in this chapter shall include but not be limited to dumbwaiters, vertical reciprocating conveyors, wheelchair lifts, and material lifts. The term “elevator” shall also include any lifting and lowering mechanisms moving in fixed guides, erected and used solely during and in aid of the construction, alteration, or demolition of buildings.

(9) “Escalator” means a moving, inclined, continuous stairway or runway used for raising or lowering passengers.

(10) “Full maintenance contract” shall mean a signed contract between a qualified service company and the owner or responsible party of an elevator, escalator, or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter. The contract shall provide that all parts of the elevator or other device shall be maintained in compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the commission and shall provide for service inspections by a qualified mechanic within specific periods for the duration of the contract. Code revisions, vandalism, or acts of God are excluded from the contract unless specifically stated within the contract. In addition, the contract shall state the number of nonchargeable service calls per month as well as the rate for emergency or chargeable calls. The contract shall also provide a means of emergency dispatching and reasonable response time.

(11) “Owner” means any person owning, operating, or in charge or control of any elevator or escalator, or other device subject to the provisions of this chapter as defined in this section.

(12) “Qualified mechanic” shall mean a person employed by a qualified service company to whom, due to experience and qualifications, a license to construct, install, maintain, or repair elevators, escalators or other devices subject to the provisions of this chapter has been issued by the administrator of the division of occupational safety.

(13) “Qualified service company” shall mean a firm or corporation engaged in the business of construction, installation, maintenance or repair of elevators, escalators or other devices subject to the provisions of this chapter to which a license to conduct such business has been issued by the administrator of the division of occupational safety.

(14) “Review board” shall mean the occupational safety and health review board created under § 28-20-19.