Elevator installation on new construction sites is one of the most safety-sensitive phases of any building project. From our hands-on experience at Kaiser Elevator, we know firsthand that well-prepared general contractors (GCs) set the tone for safe and efficient elevator installs—protecting installers, other trades, the project timeline, and long-term building operations. This blog dives deep into the GC’s practical responsibilities and delivers a personal, actionable pre-start safety checklist that we’ve seen deliver results, reduce risk, and ensure everyone goes home safe.
Why Pre-Start Briefings Are Non-Negotiable for Elevator Installer Safety
Elevator work introduces multiple risks unseen in most other trades: open shafts, heavy rigging, tight mechanical spaces, and the need for precise coordination between multiple teams. No matter how experienced the elevator contractor, installer safety always hinges on the GC’s preparation, communication, and daily monitoring. A robust pre-start briefing does far more than tick a compliance box—it directly:
- Prevents serious incidents by ensuring the site is physically prepared and all teams understand hazards and boundaries
- Speeds up the project by reducing last-minute rework, failed inspections, or stoppages from safety violations
- Stands up to regulatory scrutiny, showing due diligence to OSHA and insurance carriers
- Sets the right tone to foster collaboration and mutual respect between trades
The GC’s Pre-Start Briefing Framework
We structure our safety process in three parts—each essential for safe, code-compliant vertical transportation installs:
- Pre-Briefing Site and Scope Preparation
- The Pre-Start Safety Briefing Itself
- Day-to-Day: Daily Inspection and Ongoing Practices
1. Pre-Briefing Preparation – Two to Four Weeks Out
Coordinate Early and Often With Your Installer
As soon as you identify your elevator partner, set a planning meeting with their project manager and safety lead. Clarify in writing:
- Exact installation phases (hoistway prep, equipment delivery, machine room, cab assembly, final test and turnover)
- How many installers will be onsite at peak, and rotation/schedule basics
- Major component delivery dates plus size and weight requirements for staging
- Temporary laydown areas, secured storage, and controlled access points
- Whether building power, temporary feeds, and GFCIs are available and correctly rated
- Who owns barricading, signage, and hoistway temporary protections at each phase
- Upcoming site activities from other trades that might overlap with elevator work
Request a site-specific safety plan, recent job hazard analysis (JHA), and certificate of insurance from the installer one week before the official briefing.
Verify Hoistway and Machine Room Are Ready
With your site engineer and MEP coordinator, walk the site and confirm:
- Structural integrity of the hoistway—walls and floors are fire-rated, no unprotected openings or protrusions
- Temporary hoistway barricades and illuminated signage at all open floors
- Well-lit hoistway and pit (at least 50 foot-candles where work happens)
- Machine room built per fire code, with level, unobstructed floors and compliant ceiling height
- Smoke, heat, and sprinkler heads installed correctly and tested
- Stable, non-combustible pit ladder extending 42 inches above floor; operational pit stop switch and pit light (on a dedicated circuit)
- Power disconnects properly fused, rated, lockable, with sufficient free clearance
Photo-document any issues and assign corrections with timelines.
Identify Site-Specific Risks and Prepare Your Materials
- List trades working in proximity, upcoming occupancy scenarios, active building systems, and weather exposures relevant for the season
- Build your briefing packet: approved elevator plans, emergency contacts, PPE and safety policies, installer’s JHA, relevant code snips (ASME A17.1), and daily inspection forms
- Send digital packets to all key attendees three business days before your briefing
2. The Pre-Start Safety Briefing: Setting the Project Standard
Attendee List
- GC project manager and safety lead
- Elevator contractor’s field superintendent and safety coordinator
- Onsite superintendent and daily safety monitor
- Lead MEP coordinators if there’s trade overlap
- Property owner or representative
Agenda and Deep Dive Topics
Expand every talking point or you risk leaving dangerous gaps. We recommend including:
Project Scope and Timeline
- Detailed sequence of install—rough durations for each phase and critical permit milestones
- Who must approve checks at each major transition (inspection sign-off, testing, owner witness, etc.)
Site-Specific Hazards Overview
- Walk the group through hoistway openings, overhead work, material pathways, and active construction zones
- Explain barricade placement, signage, and daily inspection requirements
- Illustrate critical access/egress points—especially for high-rises or if working at height/after hours
Roles and Clear Accountability
- GC: Keeps site safe, maintains barricades, manages access, enforces clean worksite, and coordinates daily inspections
- Elevator installer: Trains crews, maintains ASME compliance, manages rigging, and reports all incidents or conditions to the GC immediately
PPE Standards and Enforcement
- Hard hat, ANSI safety glasses, steel-toe boots, high-vis vests are always required in the hoistway/machine room
- Fall protection for work above 6 feet without engineered guardrails
- Respirators or dust masks if drilling, cutting, or welding hazards exist
Hoistway Barricades and Lighting
- All uncovered doorways barricaded minimum 42 inches high, using wood or metal—absolutely no gaps beyond 2 inches
- CAUTION and DO NOT ENTER signage at each opening
- Housekeeping: Hoistway, pit, and machine room clean and dry at all times
Machine Room and Fire Code
- Fire-rated self-closing door, ABC fire extinguisher mounted at the entrance, clear access to disconnects
- Machine room entry by authorized personnel only, log required
Pit Space Management
- Pit ladder condition, pit lighting, and GFCI outlets confirmed
- Standing water or debris triggers a halt to elevator work until corrected
Electrical Safety and LOTO
- Temporary power supplies GFCI-protected and inspected daily
- Power tools, cords, and control panels accessed and locked/tagged out only by qualified staff
Rigging/Lifting Operations
- Cranes and hoists only operated by certified professionals
- Clear load paths, exclusion zones set during major lifts
- No personnel ever under suspended loads
Incident Reporting, Emergency, and Documentation
- Immediate reporting protocol for all incidents and near-misses
- Printed documentation and sign-in sheets verifying that each person understands their responsibilities, signed at close of meeting
Daily Toolbox Talks and Inspections
- Daily 5-10 minute safety huddle covering that day’s critical hazards before crews start
- Daily GC walk to confirm barricades, lighting, PPE, and site cleanliness. Record findings on inspection checklist
3. The Daily Safety Checklist
Consistency is everything. An effective elevator installation maintains a daily rhythm of monitoring so that new hazards, changes in site conditions, or crew turnover never result in neglected safety or stepped-over responsibilities.
| Area | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Hoistway | All floor openings barricaded, signage posted, debris cleared, lighting operational |
| Machine Room | Fire-rated door, extinguisher mounted, sole access for elevator crews, floor and pathways clear |
| Pit | Ladder secure and recent, pit light and GFCI tested, water/dust/debris cleared before entry |
| Electrical | Temporary power GFCI, tools/cords undamaged and grounded, panels locked when not in use |
| PPE | Hard hats, safety glasses, boots, gloves, harnesses, hi-vis vests, hearing protection and respirators as needed |
| Site Practices | Toolbox talk completed, only authorized personnel present at hoistways |
Best Practices for Ongoing Coordination
Every Friday, or per your project’s needs, brief key site leaders and installers on incident/near-miss reviews, changes to schedule or site setup, and rigging/lifting operations for the week ahead. Keep documentation up to date: inspection checklists, toolbox talks, and incident reports should be signed and archived for your final closeout file.
Wrapping Up: Our Perspective and How We Help
At Kaiser Elevator, what matters most to us is sending crews home safely every night, delivering code-compliant systems that make our partners look good, and shortening your schedule headaches wherever possible. By putting real energy into pre-start briefings, daily inspection routines, and transparent documentation, we’ve seen clients avoid near-misses, failed inspections, and the tension that comes from left-hand-not-talking-to-right-hand job sites.
We publish resources for project teams tackling new construction nationwide, like our practical checklist for elevator shaft planning and guidance on ride quality and leveling specifics. If you’re planning a project with vertical transportation needs and want a collaborative, code-focused partner, we welcome you to connect with us—we’ll help your team get the safety foundation right, long before the first lift goes in.
