Grand Hyatt's Workers Warned of Faulty Elevators

Beth Janicek

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Joseph Montez died because an outside service elevator opened and he fell 20 stories. At least two former workers at the site say that there had been saftey warnings months ago regarding the outside elevators.

The former workers said they either sent written warnings or told hotel developer FaulknerUSA of Austin about the faulty elevators, known as buck hoists.

Steve Killingsworth, vice president of Lone Star Interiors Inc., sent e-mails and a letter to FaulknerUSA project managers in May warning them about the unsafe elevators. Lone Star is no longer working at the site.

In a letter dated May 1, Killingsworth wrote: "I have been informed that the buck hoist(s) are still not fully operational. They are also telling me that the hoist(s) are not safe. They stall between floors, drop abruptly, and move sporadically. This issue has been ongoing for weeks and it seems FaulknerUSA is not addressing the situation in a timely manner."

For more information on this subject, please refer to the section on Worksite Injuries and Workers Compensation.