Elevator safety at the college is still not a priority. According to a letter received by Terry Cleveland, the Director or Risk Management and Environmental Health at Antelope Valley College, the responsibility for the expired permits in the campus elevators lies with the Division of Occupation Safety and Health.
DOSH is the issuing authority when it comes to these permits, but it is pure fantasy to believe that any liability for equipment failure that may result from faulty components lies with them.
In my opinion, the responsibility of the college would be met by posting signage indicating the state of the elevator permits on all of the campus elevators.
Students have a right to make an informed decision. Leaving the student uninformed until they enter the elevator, where they may not even have line of sight to the permit, is socially and morally unacceptable.
In addition, a campus wide email and a post on the campus web site should be done. In the event of an unfortunate accident, the college could be held legally responsible for any injuries sustained.
With the budget crisis that has been plaguing California junior colleges, this kind of irresponsibility is contemptuous at best and should be rectified immediately.
Furthermore, Cleveland informed me that any and all inquiries regarding the lack of permits should be referred to Daniel Owens, who is the Acting Director of Maintenance and Operations.
Well, up to the point of posting Owens has been unavailable for comment. Keep checking back over the break for new details as they emerge.
- By Chris Gonzalez
