Elevator accidents occur for a number of reasons. Workers in an elevator or escalator may become trapped in the moving parts. They may fall and become struck by the elevator, escalator, or counterweight. The risk is even higher if workers are cleaning the shafts of the elevators. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to avoid elevator accidents. Follow these tips to ensure your safety in elevators and escalators.
One of the most common causes of elevator accidents is the failure of safety mechanisms. When a safety feature fails to work, a person may fall and sustain serious injuries. In the Bronx, a construction worker suffered fatal injuries after a freight elevator collapsed on him. The building had been abandoned for 15 years. Nonetheless, every year, more than 30 people are killed and 17,000 people are injured in elevator accidents. In fact, most of these accidents are preventable if proper precautions are taken.
Another common cause of elevator accidents is the failure of the elevator doors. Older elevators use brakes to stop at the right level. Brakes can fail due to the linings, springs, and drum. Also, electrical voltage fluctuations can cause the brakes to fail. In modern elevators, variable voltage elevators use dynamic braking, in which the electric traction motor acts as a generator when the elevator slows down.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 90 percent of deaths and serious injuries in elevators are due to elevator accidents. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of the fatalities and injuries caused by elevator accidents are workers. Fifty percent of these deaths are the result of falls from the shaft. The remaining half of deaths are the result of people being trapped in the moving parts of an elevator. The elevators can be dangerous for construction workers, and the workers may be caught in between.
In addition to preventing accidents, elevator workers should always turn on the safety features of the machines after repairs and maintenance. In one case, a man was crushed while trying to enter an elevator. This was possible because the workers had turned off the safety feature that prevented the elevator from moving until the doors were closed. If these safety features are not turned on, elevators can cause an accident, so always remember to turn them on before moving them.
Another common cause of elevator accidents is improper maintenance. Elevators should close and lock automatically, but often malfunction and cause an accident. As a result, elevator doors may open and close too fast, resulting in a person’s death or serious injury. If you are involved in an elevator accident, contact an elevator lawyer right away for help. They will make sure the safety of all passengers is top priority. You can also make a claim for damages caused by elevator accidents.
Almost 1 million elevators are in use throughout the United States, and they carry millions of people every year. While most of these trips are without incident, accidents do occur. Failure to inspect elevators is the most common reason for elevator accidents. Employers are required to provide adequate maintenance, but many fall short. Inadequate maintenance could result in a malfunctioning elevator, which could result in injuries or fatalities. Fortunately, many elevator accidents are preventable.
The U.S. Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has revealed that nearly half of elevator-related deaths involved workers doing installation or repair. A further thirty-three percent involved engineers, electricians, and janitors. In addition to the above, an elevator accident can result in a fatality when the person who installs the elevator does not have the proper training. And, if the worker has a previous history of accident, there is a high risk of being involved in another.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that elevators and escalators result in more than 6,000 injuries and deaths each year. Injuries on escalators occur in many ways, but the most common cause is a malfunction in the machine. The problem can strike suddenly and without warning. In the worst case, an elevator may fall down without any warning. It can even crush people, which is why there are so many elevator accidents.
