Gov. Jared Polis Declares November 11-15 as Colorado Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week


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For immediate release
Date: November 12, 2019
Contact: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Amelia Tenne at 303.318.8004 or Cher Haavind at 303.318.8003
Website: www.colorado.gov/cdle

(Denver) -- On Tuesday, Colorado Governor Jared Polis issued a proclamation declaring November 11 to 15 Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week, to spread awareness about the safe and proper use of elevators, escalators, and moving walkways.

While some may not recognize the importance of the week, the need is clear. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, incidents involving elevators and escalators kill approximately 30 people and seriously injure about 17,000 people each year. Many of these events can be prevented; one of the goals of Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week is to educate the public about ways in which they can avoid injury and death.

During Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week, CDLE will be disseminating materials created by the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting public safety and preventing accidents related to the conveyances. Their mainstay educational program, Safe-T Rider, includes engaging lessons, puzzles, activities, and more for both kids and teachers. Since its inception, the program has been sent to more than six million children, teachers, and parents. 

The organization also has educational materials for college and university students titled “Rise Up Safe Rider” and for older riders, designed for riders, as well as those who work in the senior care, assisted living, and rehabilitation facility fields.

While these programs are targeted toward different populations, the foundation outlines some general rules to follow:

Elevators

  1. Watch your step
  2. Leave closing doors alone
  3. If doors don’t open ring alarm button and wait
  4. If there is a fire in the building use stairs

Escalators & Moving Walks

  1. Step on and off carefully
  2. People only – NO strollers, carts, animals, luggage
  3. Hold the handrail
  4. Take care of younger children, never leave unattended
  5. Do not touch the sides below the handrail
  6. Stand facing forward

To view the Governor‚Äôs proclamation in full, click here.

About the Division of Oil and Public Safety

Housed under the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Division of Oil and Public Safety regulates those who own or operate amusement rides and devices, commercial boilers, conveyances (elevators and escalators) and retail fueling facilities and those who are permitted to use high explosives.