West Virginia Code Chapter 21. Labor § 21-3C-10. Enforcement; notice of defective machinery

If during an inspection the division or the inspector finds that a passenger elevator or a part thereof cannot be operated safely, the division or the inspector shall contact the owner or operator in writing stating the deficiencies and recommend changes or alterations and shall post a notice upon such elevator prohibiting further use of the elevator. The notice shall be in effect until the changes or alterations set forth in the notice have been made. The notice shall contain a statement that operators or passengers are subject to injury by its continued use, a description of the alteration or other change necessary to be made in order to secure its safe operation, date of such notice, and the name and signature of the inspector issuing the notice.

If any inspector finds a passenger elevator to be so unsafe that it represents imminent danger of death or physical injury, that unit shall be sealed out of service and a hazard notice as prescribed by the division posted thereon. The division shall be notified immediately as to the location and condition of the unit.

Any passenger elevator, once sealed, may not be operated except for the purpose of making repairs and in such a manner as prescribed by the division until all defects are corrected and the unit has been inspected and deemed safe by the division. The division shall promulgate legislative rules, as authorized by this article, to develop procedures for sealing and barricading an elevator once it has been declared inoperable.

No seal, notice or barricade placed on or around an elevator in accordance with the provisions of this article may be removed, obstructed or in any way altered without the written consent of the division.