ESCALATOR SAFETY RULES AND RATIONALE
Unlike an elevator where the passenger carrying compartment is fully enclosed, escalators
and moving walks are only partially enclosed. The moving passenger is always adjacent to
surfaces that are not moving or possibly not moving. Precautions, similar to those
exercised around any moving machinery, i.e. subways, automobiles, etc., should be
observed. You are in control of your movement and simple observations and advice can help
you to travel as safely as possible.
Passengers only on escalators. No strollers, walkers or carts of any type.
Use elevators instead of escalators when pushing a cart, stroller or walker. Carrying
these on an escalator will prevent you from holding the handrail and could cause you to
lose your balance and fall. Additionally, they block your view when entering and exiting
and could slow your exit thereby delaying you and passengers riding behind from exiting
safely and promptly.
Step
on and off with care and take extra care if you wear bifocals.
Although escalators travel at a comfortable preset speed, boarding a moving step can be
difficult to judge if you are in a hurry, carrying packages or wearing bifocals. Care must
be taken to promptly and firmly place your foot in the middle of a moving step while
continuing to walk at a normal pace. "Many escalators are equipped with a greenish
light from within to help the rider determine the edges of the steps. Many escalator step
edges are equipped with yellowish marks to help the riders likewise. If you miss the
center of a stair - don't panic - simply adjust your feet.
Always
stand facing forward and hold the handrail.
Standing facing the direction of travel allows passengers to maintain their balance and
makes it easier to see the end of the ride and exit safely and promptly. Put your hand on
the handrail as soon as possible when approaching an escalator or moving walk with the
intent of riding it, and adjust your walking forward speed to that of the speed of the
handrail. The reason that handrails extend beyond the moving steps or belt is so the rider may adjust their forward motion to
that of the conveyance and not experience a sudden jolt when stepping on. It also places
the riders hand where it should be for the duration of the ride.
Pay
close attention and attend small children. Assist the elderly if they are hesitant.
Young children and the elderly are the ones that require extra care when riding
escalators. Passengers need to help children on and off, make sure they stand up and keep
away from the sides. Do not let them sit on the steps or play while riding. Have them hold
the handrail or hold their hand if they cannot comfortably reach the handrail while
avoiding the side. Do not permit young children to ride on escalators or moving walks unattended.
Hold
on to the handrail, but avoid the sides adjacent to the steps.
Falls are the most common accident even on staircases. On escalators, the best way to
prevent a fall is to firmly grasp the moving cushioned handrail. Both the steps and the
handrail are moving at approximately the same speed. Passengers should avoid contact with
the sides which are stationary.
Move quickly away from exit area.
The escalator and exiting passengers continue in motion making it important to move
quickly away from the exit area. Passengers should determine where they are going before
they get to the exit area. Stopping to determine where to go in the exit area could make
it difficult for passengers behind to exit and avoid those waiting.
On
moving walks, stationary passengers should stay to the right and let walking passengers
pass on the left.
Moving walks are designed to move passengers who are stationary as well as those who
want to walk. Passengers standing on the right allow walkers to pass on the left.
All
other escalator advice such as holding hand rails, avoiding sides, stepping on and off
promptly also apply to moving walks. |
email: info@tsrelevator.com