Under the Safety Codes Act, a owner or owner’s agent must have a certificate of operation permit in order to operate an elevator and must apply to a safety codes officer for a certificate of operation permit.

On April 1st every year a Certificate of Operation is issued to the agent/owner who is then responsible to pay the certificate fee and when necessary have a safety inspection performed by a qualified safety codes officer.  An Inspection Notice is mailed to the agent/owner at the beginning of the assigned quarter for the lift.  The lift is assigned to a quarter depending on when it was constructed, its location and when other devices in that building are scheduled.  It is important that the agent/owner adhere to the schedule set by AEDARSA.  Having the inspection completed and submitted to the AEDARSA office within the timeframe specified on the notice is the owner or agent’s legal obligation as outlined in the Safety Codes Act.

The application for a certificate of operation permit;
(a)  sets out all the information necessary to demonstrate compliance with this regulation and the applicable codes;
(b)  sets out any other information required in writing by a safety codes officer;
(c)  includes a copy of a safety inspection report if it is required by a safety codes officer;
(d)  be in a form acceptable to a safety codes officer;
(e)  be accompanied by the applicable fee.

The Alberta Elevating Devices and Amusement Rides Safety Association (AEDARSA) has been approved by Alberta’s Minister of Municipal Affairs to issue certificates of operation.  No other agency may issue certificates, however safety codes officers from agencies other than AEDARSA may perform the inspection to certify the certificate providing a copy of the report is registered with AEDARSA. Elevators safely transport people every day. 

The following tips can help ensure your Elevator Safety.
• ENSURE that the current elevator contractor contact information is posted inside the elevator car and on each floor.test and  ensure that the elevator telephone is working and will direct callers appropriately.

WHEN YOU APPROACH THE ELEVATOR …
• KNOW your destination. Push the elevator call button for the direction you want to go.
• ALWAYS enter and exit the elevator at designated floor alignments. 
• USE care when entering and exiting.
• STAND clear of the elevator door as it is closing.  
• DON'T try to stop a closing door. Remember that the door sensors aren't always completely reliable.Sometimes, photoelectric sensors are onlylocated near the center of the elevator door.
• WAIT for the next car, if the elevator is full.

WHEN YOU ENTER AND LEAVE THE ELEVATOR…
• ENTER and exit carefully. Step up or down if the elevator floor and hall floor are not level.
• DO NOT step into a crowded elevator; adhere to the weight limitations.
• DO NOT force goods and materials into the elevator car.
• STAND clear of the doors - keep clothes and carry-ons away from the opening.
• WATCH for closing doors.
• PUSH and hold the DOOR OPEN button if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the button for you.
• STAND aside for exiting passengers.

WHEN RIDING ON THE ELEVATOR...
• STAND next to the elevator wall.
• HOLD the handrail, if available.
• DO NOT jump or bounce around
• HOLD children and pets firmly.
• PAY attention to the floor indications.
 
IF THE DOORS DO NOT OPEN WHEN THE ELEVATOR STOPS:
• PUSH the DOOR OPEN button.
• DO NOT try to exit a “stuck” elevator.
• REMAIN calm and use the in-car emergency devices (telephone, alarm bell). Help Is On The Way!

IN CASE OF FIRE, USE THE STAIRS.  CL