TAMPA, FL (AP) -- Private elevator inspectors in Florida are missing violations, and more of the machines are going uninspected each year.
That's according to a report released Monday by legislative analysts.
Florida farmed out the safety inspections to private companies in 2000. In the past three years, the number of elevators left uninspected climbed 79 percent to 5,710 in the 2008-2009 fiscal year.
That said, the number of machines inspected has also increased, up 5.4 percent from the previous year to 60,332.
The state tried to improve safety by posting an online list of delinquent elevators and keeping a database of accidents.
However, the state has no power to force private companies to provide information when problems arise that weren't discovered in their inspections. The report recommended the Legislature change that law.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
