A 74-year-old man was literally crushed to his death, while traveling on an escalator, by a falling carton. He was knocked off the steps, hit his head and died the next day.
A 92-year-old woman in a wheelchair lost balance and tumbled down the steps of the escalator she was riding. She lost consciousness on impact and was certified death on arrival at the hospital.
In the past 2 months, a spate of 6 accidents involving children of under 10 years wearing plastic sandals had their feet caught and jammed into the escalators. All suffered injury of the feet.
Escalator-related accidents are on the rise. The Consumer Council is concerned over the risks that escalators pose, and the importance of safety, to the users.
According to the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department (EMSD), the statistics on accidents involving escalators rose from 600 reported cases (or an average of 1.6 per day) in 2003 to 1,092 cases (or 2.99 per day on average) in 2006.
An analysis of the statistics showed both the elderly (over 70 years) and the young (under 10) to be most vulnerable, representing respectively 5.40 and 2.86 injured cases per 100 escalators.
During the same period, the total number of escalators in Hong Kong grew from 5,749 in 2003 to 6,778 in 2006.
Besides the growing number of escalators, the cause of most accidents was attributed to users having lost their balance (923 cases out of the 1,092 cases in 2006). The remainders were due mainly to jam related to: skirting/steps, combplates, handrails/decking.
Currently in Hong Kong, escalators are set to travel at three different speeds: 0.5 m/second, 0.65 m/second, or 0.75 m/second.
In a mass-transit public transport system, the need to move a large number of commuters in a short time requires escalators to be set at the higher speed of 0.75 m/second (or 2.7 km/h), which is comparable to the speed adopted in most other rail systems in the world.
Most commuters should find the speed of escalators of no problem to them, but may not be so to the elderly with walking handicap.
Clear signage should be on display to direct the needy to the nearest lifts to minimize the incidence of escalator accidents.
Improper use and behaviour of commuters were largely to blame for most of the escalator accidents. Had commuters followed the safety guidelines on escalators, many injuries caused by fall or entrapment could well be prevented.
Some commuters, however, have the habit of walking on the 'fast lane' of escalators, exposing themselves to the risk of accidents and injury.
The Council has sought the advice of experts on the possible link between young children wearing plastic sandals and accidents involving escalators.
The conclusion seems to suggest that while there is no evidence to establish such a link, young children are more prone to accidents because of the smaller size of their feet, and thus more easy to get caught and jammed into the escalators.
Therefore, the best way to avoid such accidents is parental supervision to ensure their children steer clear of the edge of the steps or the gap along the sides.
Users are cautioned to exercise care and remain alert while riding an escalator. And always remember: stand firm, hold the handrail and do not walk on escalators.
Other safety tips include:
- Avoid the edges of steps where entrapment can occur, and be aware that loose shoe laces, scarves and long dress can get trapped in escalators.
- Always hold children's hands on escalators and do not allow them to sit, run or play on the steps.
- Do not use trolleys, strollers, carts and wheelchairs on escalators. Take the lift instead. Elderly on walking stick are advised also to use the lift.
- Do not lean over handrails.
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