NATIONAL ELEVATOR
INDUSTRY, INC. ELEVATOR SAFETY TIPS
The National Elevator Industry, Inc. (NEII) is
committed to passenger safety and the promotion of safe building
transportation. The organization and its members stress the importance of
adhering to proper elevator safety guidelines when riding these machines.
There
are stringent codes in place to help ensure the safety of its products, and to
make certain that machinery is maintained and inspected according to their
respective jurisdictional codes.
While elevators
are among the safest forms of transportation in the world, unsafe riding
practices can result in accidents. Therefore, it is important to abide by the
following safety rules:
When
waiting for elevators:
·
Know your destination.
·
Push the elevator call button once
for the direction you want to go in.
·
Look and listen for the signal
announcing your car’s arrival.
·
Be aware of health conditions that
could contribute to falls or accidents.
·
Stand clear of the elevator doors
and stand aside for exiting passengers.
·
If the arriving car is full, wait
for the next car.
·
Don’t attempt to maneuver in or
stop closing doors, wait for the next car.
·
In the event of a fire or other
situations that could lead to a disruption in electrical services, take the
stairs.
When
boarding and riding elevators:
·
Watch your step – the elevator car
may not be perfectly level with the floor.
·
Stand clear of the doors – keep
clothes and carry-ons away from the opening.
·
Hold children and pets firmly.
·
Passengers nearest to the doors
should move first when the car arrives.
·
Push and hold the DOOR OPEN button
if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the button for you.
·
Never try to stop a closing door,
wait for the next car.
·
Once on board, quickly press the
button for your floor and move to the back of the car to make room for other
passengers.
·
If unsteady on your feet, hold the
handrail, if available, and stand near the elevator wall.
·
Pay attention to the floor indicators.
·
If the doors do not open when the
elevator stops, push the DOOR OPEN button.
When
exiting elevators:
·
Exit immediately at your floor. Do
not wait for others behind you.
·
Do not push the people in front of
you when exiting.
·
Watch your step – the elevator car
may not be perfectly level with the floor.
In the event of an elevator emergency:
·
If the elevator should ever stop
between floors, do not panic. There is plenty of air in the elevator.
·
Never climb out of a stalled
elevator.
·
Use the ALARM button, the telephone
or the intercom to call for assistance.
·
Above all, wait for qualified help
to arrive and never try to leave an elevator that has not made a normal stop.
·
Emergency lighting will come on in
the event of a power failure.
What to do if you are in a stalled elevator:
· Push the “Door Open”
Button
o
If
you are near the landing the door will open. You can slowly and carefully step
out of the elevator. Be sure to watch your step as the elevator floor may, or
may not, be level with the landing.
· Remain Calm
o
If
the door does not open, you are still safe. Do not try to exit the elevator.
Wait for trained emergency personnel to arrive. Even if the air temperature
feels warm, there is plenty of air circulating in the elevator and its
shaftway.
· Press the Alarm or
Help Button, Use Any Available Communication System
o
Push
the alarm button and wait for someone to respond to you.
o
In
newer elevators, there will be a HELP button instead of an alarm button that
will place a call to a party that is trained to take action (i.e. elevator
company, alarm company, etc.). It will give the exact location of the building
and elevator you are in. Trained emergency personnel should answer the call
within several minutes.
o
Some
elevators have a two-way speaker system or telephone that will allow
communication between you and the building or rescue personnel. Do not be
alarmed if you cannot be heard or if the phone does not work. Some phones are
designed only to receive calls. Trained personnel should call when they arrive
at the building.
· Relax, and DO NOT Try
to Extract Yourself from the Elevator
o
NEVER
try to exit a stalled elevator car. It is extremely dangerous. ALWAYS wait for
trained emergency personnel.
o
Your
best course of action is to relax, get comfortable, and wait for professional
assistance.
o
You
may be inconvenienced but you are SAFE.
To participate in an interactive online safety program for elevators,
go to A Safe Ride.
About NEII
NEII, the national trade association of the building transportation industry, was established to promote safe building transportation for new and existing products and technologies, the adoption of current codes by local government agencies, and to encourage responsible legislation and regulatory measures at all levels of government. Regular membership is available to those corporations, firms or companies that, as part of their normal business operations, provide or perform any of the following: manufacturing (including parts or components used by others in the manufacture, repair or maintenance), installation, or the repair and maintenance of elevators, escalators, moving walks and related equipment. Trust membership is available to those corporations, firms, or companies that, as part of their regular business, employ members of the International Union of Elevator Constructors (IUEC) and contribute to the benefit trusts (Trusts) established by agreements between the IUEC and NEII. Individual memberships are available to persons who are not employees of NEII member companies or organizations. NEII promotes safe building transportation and works with various organizations on the formation, adoption and enforcement of the latest building transportation codes and standards.
