Elevators have improved our lives tremendously since they were first introduced in the 1850s. Now there are almost 100,000 elevators in Canada; the United States has 700,000 vertical lifts. There are over two million worldwide. 325 million North Americans use elevators every day and over the course of a year, there are 210 billion rides taken on them in Canada and the U.S.
Although elevators are said to be the safest form of transportation in the world, people are injured and sometimes killed while using them.
Elevator Injuries
Elevator injuries are a result of one of two factors. The first is device malfunction and/or maintenance errors. In Canada, elevators must meet the highest standards of safety so these incidents are relatively rare.
The other cause of elevator injuries is rider-error. The most common are:
- People entering or exiting an elevator that is above or below the landing area.
- People using limbs to stop closing doors.
- People walking into an open elevator shaft when no car is there.
- People struck by doors or standing too close to closing doors.
- People trying to exit a stalled elevator.
Elevator injuries are not limited to public lifts. In January 1999, a toddler fell into the shaft of a home elevator. They boy was permanently injured when his mother inadvertently lowered the elevator car in an attempt to rescue him.
One of the greatest safety issues facing elevator users is the lack of awareness about vertical lifts. As Ray Lapierre, Executive Director of the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation explains, “The main cause of accidents is improper use of equipment.” People need to be aware of ways to keep themselves and others safe while riding an elevator.
Tips for a Safe Elevator Ride
- Before entering an elevator, stand to the side and let exiting passengers get off. Don’t block their way.
- When getting on an elevator, take a quick look down to make sure the elevator floor is flush with the landing area. People have been seriously injured when entering or exiting an elevator car that is above or below the landing area. Being aware will prevent you from tripping and falling. Also, step over the gap.
- As crazy as it sounds, ensure there is an elevator on the other side of the doors when they open. Fatalities have occurred when people stepped into empty elevator shafts.
- Never try to stop a closing elevator door with your arms or legs. Getting a body part caught between two heavy moving doors can lead to great injury. If you need extra time to get on, ask someone to push the Door Open button. Better yet, let the door close and wait for the next elevator.
- When inside an elevator, stand clear of the doors. This includes your belongings as well as your body. People can become seriously injured when body parts or personal possessions get trapped in closing doors.
- If the doors do not open when the elevator stops, push the door open button. If that does not work, use the emergency call button or the phone and wait for professional help. Do not panic. Elevators are made to be safe for riders in the event of a stalled car. You won’t run out of oxygen. The lights run on a separate maze of wires so you won’t be in the dark. Never try to pry open the door.
- Do not crawl out of the roof of an elevator. This can quickly lead to serious injury or death, especially if the car starts moving again. The hatch is for elevator maintenance workers and professionals. Never climb out of an elevator!
- If you find yourself trapped in an unmoving elevator, sit down if possible. Injuries have occurred from falls when the elevator restarted. Do something to keep you calm and comfortable.
- In the case of a fire in a building, never use the elevator. If the power is lost due to the fire, you could get trapped in the car. Take the stairs instead.
- Young children and the elderly account for the majority of people injured while using elevators. Keep this in mind as you ride vertical lifts for your safety as well as theirs. Set a good example for children; they will do what you do.
Elevator Safety Features
For the protection of its passengers, elevators are equipped with many safety features. Typical elevators have a governor, a speed-sensing device. It will clamp the governor rope when the elevator overspeeds in the down direction. When the governor rope is clamped, the guard rails stop the elevator. Elevators in Canada are also required to have safety devices that activate in the event of an up direction overspeed.
Safety devices are also built into elevator doors. Not only are the doors steel to withstand fire, there are actually two sets of doors; one in the walls at each floor and one that is part of the elevator car. The elevator won’t move until both sets of doors are closed and locked. Special mechanisms cause the doors to reopen if someone is in the doorway or an object is struck. More safety devices prevent the car from moving up or down when the doors are open, keeping the car level as passengers get on and off.
All elevators are equipped with alarm buttons to call for help. Some have telephones or intercom systems.
With programs targeted for children and seniors by the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, the general public is becoming more aware of the potential dangers of elevators. “We are turning to the building and educational communities to help us spread the news and start kids, parents and teachers clicking on www.safetrider.org,” says Lapierre. “A proactive approach to safety education is a way of reducing exposure.” Hopefully the number of elevator incidents will continue to fall as people become more aware of the proper way to use vertical lifts.
Sources:
The Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation
National Elevator Industry, Inc.
Performance Based Code for Elevator Safety
Toby Welch - Toby is a full-time freelance writer who specializes in magazine articles, online writing, e-books, and manuscript editing.
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