The summer season is upon us, and people are heading to airports, sports venues, and malls. What do they all have in common? Things that move- escalators, elevators, and moving walkways. Below are safety points and tips to remember the next time you're up-up-and-away!
Are escalators, elevators, and moving walkways regulated? How often are they inspected?
Yes. The State of Colorado provides regulation for these types of conveyances through administration of the State of Colorado Conveyance Regulations. The Division of Oil and Public Safety Conveyance Program oversees the administration and adherence to compliance of those regulations in the State of Colorado. All conveyances subject to those regulations are required to be safety tested and inspected at least once a year at a minimum.
What happens if I get stuck in an elevator? What should I do?
The first thing to do is remain calm. In the unfortunate and rare instance that you find yourself trapped in an elevator, you are safe. There is plenty of air to breathe and elevators have multiple safety measures in place to keep you that way. Elevators do not fall as you see in the movies. The next thing to do is to try the "door open" button. It sounds simple, but many times the elevator is actually at a landing or floor, and you can simply press the door open button and walk out when the door opens. If the door open button doesn't do the trick, press the emergency call button inside of the elevator. Be patient, the call will be answered by someone who can assist you and dispatch the appropriate personnel to extract you from the elevator in a safe manner. Again, remain calm and be prepared to provide some limited information to the call taker to assist in your own rescue.
Do people get hurt often on conveyances? What are the most common reasons?
Injuries are uncommon to people using conveyances. When they do occur, the overwhelming reasons are because of rider error. Some of the most common reasons people are injured while utilizing conveyances are
- Not paying attention to safety or warning signage and postings
- Riding them in a way they are not intended to transport passengers, and
- Horseplay or intoxication while riding.
When used as intended conveyances are extremely safe.
What tips do you recommend for safely using any type of conveyance?
Pay attention to posted signage and warnings and follow the provided directions. Be deliberate with you movements when getting on or off a conveyance. Be aware of your clothing and possessions. Open toed shoes or sandals, strollers, walkers, canes and loose clothing should all be taken into consideration when riding a conveyance.