EM – Escalators at supermarkets or shopping centers always have many potential risks of accidents, especially for hyperactive children when there are no close parents. Learn about the potential dangers of escalators with Escalator Magazine.
In principle of operation, the escalator is a conveyor-type transportation device. Accordingly, the escalator consists of a system of steps that can be moved up or down continuously alternately into a closed circle and mesh with each other by deep slits on the surface. The path of the common escalator is a straight line, but some are also designed in a spiral to save space.
Most of today’s commercial centers, airports, and supermarkets are equipped with an automatic escalator system because of the convenience and optimization of space compared to stairs and elevators. Despite the many benefits, this device always has the potential to cause accidents. In particular, the level of casualties in escalator accidents is often very serious.
Let’s look at the escalator accident situations that have happened to see that being careful in the process of using the escalator is extremely important, especially parents need to watch out their children very carefully.
As can be seen in the video above, many children like to play on the escalator’s handrail when in fact this is extremely dangerous because the escalator system has many jams and relatively high travel speed, lack of sensor-based safety systems, etc. Therefore, escalators has a relatively high risk.
In addition to the dangers associated with escalator handrail, the design of the escalator has metal steps that mesh together by deep slits in the surface. These very steps can also become a hazard when it is possible to grind, hang clothes or even body parts into these gap. Many accidents have happened with this situation with extremely tragic consequences.
As in some of the accident situations above, we can see that the role of an emergency escalator stop button is extremely important. This is considered as an emergency rescue system when there is a dangerous situation happened such as getting stuck, crushing objects, etc. to ensure the safety of people as well as ensure the escalator is not damaged. .
Emergency stop buttons are usually equipped at both ends of the escalator system so that users can reach from both directions. When this emergency stop button is pressed, the escalator system will be turned off immediately. In addition, according to technical standards, the escalator emergency stop buttons should not be more than 30 m apart, so if the escalator system is longer than 30m, there will usually be an emergency stop button in the middle of the travel.
The emergency stop button of the escalator system is usually located at the top or bottom of the escalator, or in the middle of the travel (if the escalator travel is longer than 30 m), on the right handrail
Many people do not know of this function, so when witnessing an escalator incident, they are often not aware to be able to intervene to stop the escalator in time, paying attention to observing equipment, instructions for using the escalators, strange equipment is very important.
A young man, when he discovered a boy falling on an escalator, rushed from the stairs, press the emergency escalator stop button and save the boy
However, it is not excluded that the emergency stop button installed in this public location also increases the risk, especially for children. There have been many situations in the world where children playing with this emergency stop button cause users to misunderstand that the escalator system is broken or stop suddenly when people are on the escalator, causing them to fall.
The boy in yellow shirt suddenly stopped the escalator, causing a 5-year-old girl behind to fall
– Keep an upright position and look straight ahead: The safest position when riding an escalator is to stand straight, stand on the right side of the escalator, eyes looking ahead. Limit the activities of bending over, teasing and pushing each other, etc. At the same time, when your eyes look forward, you can actively detect the problem for timely handling.
– Do not stand at the edge of the stairs: On the escalators there are always safe yellow lines, stand between those yellow lines instead of standing too close to the edge of the stairs because that is the place most likely to cause accidents, and you should also stand the right hand side of the escalator (or the left in some countries like Japan) to give way to those who need to pass.
– Do not stand too close to the handrail: Always hold the handrail is a good way to keep your balance when riding the escalator. However, do not stand too close to the handrail, to avoid getting your fingers or clothes caught in the gap of the handrail.
– Pay attention to the gaps on the escalator: It is always important to observe the escalator in case of an accident. Remember the most likely places for trouble are the entrance to the escalator, the handrail, the space between the steps. These openings, although very small, can entangle or jam body parts such as legs and arms.
– Know the location of the Emergency Stop button: An online survey showed that up to 61% of young people surveyed said that they do not know where the Emergency Stop button on the escalator is, or even do not know their existence. Typically, the Emergency Stop button is located at the top and bottom of the escalator, to the right of the handrail. If an incident is detected, quickly press this button to assist in rescue work.
– Try not to carrying a lot of things or wearing clothes with too many accessories: Carrying a lot of things or wearing clothes with many accessories will increase the likelihood of getting stuck in the escalator or difficult to handle the situation when there is an incident.
In addition, you should refer to some “tips” below when using the escalator:
Remember to read the instructions to ensure the safety of yourself and others, absolutely do not bring stroller, heavy boxes up with the escalator to ensure the safety of yourself and those around you.
When preparing to enter the escalator: observe the motion indicator lights mounted at both ends of the escalator to enter the correct entrance of the escalator.
Face forward and hold onto the handrail before entering and stepping onto the moving escalator. When entering the escalator, pay attention to step into the gap between the 2 steps, do not step on the horizontal line on the escalator because it is a demarcationline forming 2 steps, when the escalator moves, it is easy to fall.
While standing on steps, passengers should stand with both feet on the same step, not on two different steps. When standing, be careful not to stand too close to the edge of the escalator, to avoid getting your shoes and sandals on the edge of the escalator.
Running, joking around, or sitting on the handrails of the escalator are not allowed. Please stand on the right hand side of the escalator to ensure that you do not obstruct other passengers from taking the escalator
Adults should hold hands and place children in the middle of the escalator. Children under 6 years old should be best carried for safety
If you wear loose clothes or skirts, you need to pay attention to the clothes. Many escalator accidents happen because clothes get stuck under the conveyor belt. Use the handrails properly, do not lean back on the handrails or turn sideways, turn back – avoid loss of balance or ability to promptly handle when there is an incident.
