Elevators are important transportation tools in our lives. Although many people don’t find this mode of transportation safe, the possibility of accidents is quite low. Of course, dangerous and serious elevator accidents are possible, but the probability of them occurring is very low. That’s why elevators are used in every area of life, like schools, offices, or even inside homes. In fact, elevators actually make our lives easier. Despite all these details, vertical transportation by elevator may not be a comfortable process for everyone. Some people are afraid of being stuck in the elevator, even if the rate is really low. For example, if the elevators carrying a certain weight are not in balance with the elevator counterweight, an accident may occur. Because of this, elevator safety tips should be learned and implemented by everyone.
Elevator Safety Tips Employers and Building Owners
Commonly observed elevator accidents also provide information on how issues can be improved. The most common elevator-related injuries include tripping, falling into a void, slamming, or malfunctioning doors. According to a report prepared in the USA, these injuries and deaths usually occur not to those who use the elevator, but to those who maintain, repair or work around the elevator. From this point of view, elevator and construction workers are the biggest risk groups. Implementing elevator safety tips is one of the issues that should be prioritized for everyone. Important and necessary tips to apply are as follows.
1. Installation and Maintenance
One of the well known elevator safety tips is extended care and installation. A proper and complete installation is very effective in preventing many serious accidents. Periodic maintenance is important to anticipate potential accidents and repair malfunctions. These two basic steps are the two simplest and most effective elevator safety tips.
2. Leveling
Maintenance is one of the most critical elevator safety tips. It should be preferred not only for foreseeing possible accident possibilities but also for solving existing problems immediately. For example, if the elevator does not stand in line with the building floors, leveling is required. Having maintenance for leveling at regular intervals prevents ground-related injuries. If you notice that the elevator cabin doesn’t stand in the same line with the floor, you should inform someone concerned with safety.
3. Handrails in Elevator
You can also notice if the handrails are loose by having the elevator serviced regularly. If it is found that the handrails are loosened during this maintenance, necessary precautions can be taken, and a possible major accident can be prevented in this way. For other elevator safety tips, it should be checked not only that the handrails are loosened but also whether there is enough railing.
4. Signage for Safety
Making the correct signage to implement elevator safety tips is very effective in ensuring safety. These signs inform people about the maximum number of people that the elevator can take, where the elevator is for the building or institution, or where the stairs are for use in an emergency. People who will use the elevator are also expected to follow the directions written on this sign. Signage is one of the simplest methods used to guide people correctly. Appropriate signage should be made not only outside the elevator but also inside the elevator. For example, directions can be given such that no intervention should be made to open or close the elevator door and that they should be careful about their steps when entering or exiting.
5. Floor Indicators and Maps
There must be an indication of all floors to be traveled and stopped in the elevator. This indicator is necessary to avoid confusion and potential confusion within the elevator. A similar indicator should be located outside the elevator, and all details, such as the floors to which the elevator will go, should be given. For example, some elevators in hospitals can only go to certain floors. This should be stated inside the elevator and especially outside, and a suitable map should be made so that people can find the elevator going to the floor they want. This is a good idea for elevator safety tips.
6. Not Using Hand to Keep an Elevator Door Open
Handling the elevator door, which is one of the common mistakes everyone makes, is actually quite dangerous. The elevator door may close suddenly, and a very serious injury may occur. In order to prevent such a situation, it is necessary to use the buttons placed in the elevator instead of manually stopping it. The door open button is found in every elevator. It is safer to use this button in similar situations.
7. Take Action in case of Fire
If there is an emergency situation like a fire, people are informed that using an elevator in this type of situation isn’t safe. Informative brochures can be used to inform people in the buildings. An emergency plan should be made in which the elevators automatically descend directly to the ground floor in case of a fire alarm. These and similar elevator safety tips protect people from possible accidents.
Elevator Safety Tips for Riders
Although the people responsible for the management should pay attention to certain details for elevator safety, elevator users also need to be very careful and follow a set of rules. Although the elevator is statistically safe for riders, it is always good to be cautious. For this, it is necessary to follow the elevator safety tips determined while getting on, off, waiting, and in emergency situations. Among these rules are details such as giving way to those who get off first when the elevator arrives, not trying to get on if the elevator capacity is full, paying attention to step while getting on, keeping clothes such as shawls away from the door, and not trying to manually stop the closing door. In a possible emergency, it is necessary to follow these elevator safety tips without panicking. If the elevator hangs between floors, it is necessary to press the emergency or communication button without panic. If you are stuck in the elevator cabin, you should not try to open the door by forcing it because it is more dangerous than being stuck. It is safer to wait for technical assistance to land. Even the failure of a single person to comply with such safety steps can endanger the lives of many.
