The University of Chicago
Safety Manual
Quick Reference

Section 1.5

Elevator Safety Policy

If you are trapped inside an elevator, activate the elevator emergency phone to notify the University Police.  The University Police shall notify the appropriate department responsible for the building and the Chicago Fire Department when there are any injuries or life threatening hazards.  If you are outside an elevator and have knowledge of someone trapped inside the elevator, contact the appropriate department responsible for the building as listed below:
  • Facilities Services (834-1414);
  • Residence Halls and Commons (702-2310);
  • Real Estate Operations (753-2200); or
  • International House (753-2279).
When reporting an elevator failure, provide the following:
  • Caller's name;
  • Location (e.g., building, address, floor);
  • Elevator number;
  • Elevator location call back number;
  • Problem (e.g., stalled, stuck between floors, people trapped); and
  • Any additional information (e.g., number of people trapped if known and any injuries or life threatening conditions).

The appropriate department shall:

  1. Dispatch a University employee (e.g., building engineer, electrician, janitor) to respond to the call;
  2. Contact their elevator contractor for a service request and determine the estimated time of arrival;
  3. If the estimated time of arrival is in excess of thirty minutes, University employees (e.g., building engineer, electrician, janitor) may reset the elevator ONCE to assist in brining it to a floor.  If the elevator does not reset, the University employee shall notify the University Police immediately to ensure the Chicago Fire Department is dispatched;
  4. Communicate to the trapped persons inside the elevator that help is on the way;
  5. Ascertain if there are any injuries, severe sense of panic or life threatening conditions inside the elevator;
  6. If so, notify the University Police immediately to ensure the Chicago Fire Department is dispatched; and
  7. Maintain communication with the elevator contractor at all times to avoid activities that could endanger passengers, mechanics, or other people responding to the scene.

NOTE:  No University employee shall attempt to open the shaft.

For detailed information, refer to Section 3.19 of the University's Safety Manual.

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Safety and Environmental Affairs
Issued: 05/22/02
Revised: 05/18/07