Elevator and Escalator Safety Checklist

If you are worried about the safety of an elevator or escalator that you use frequently, there are some common safety questions that you can inquire about. Some of these questions you can answer yourself by observing the escalator or elevator, while others may be answered for you by a building owner or a maintenance crew. Understanding how these machines work and what safety measurements are in place can help keep you and other passengers safe. Check out these safety lists below to learn more.

Elevator Safety Checklist

Here are a few general questions that you can look into to make sure that an elevator is safe to use:

• Is the maintenance schedule up to date?
• How is elevator maintenance documented and kept track of?
• How frequently is this machine maintained?
• Who is in charge of elevator maintenance?

In addition, consider the following questions, which can be answered by a building owner or maintenance worker if you cannot answer them yourself:

• Are the doors secure at each floor? Are there any openings or cracks in the door?
• Is the floor material at each floor landing and the elevator floor intact?
• Is the car level when it reaches each floor?
• Do the elevator car doors open between each floor or only at the floor?
• Do the interlocks and the infrared beams work properly?
• Is the elevator cab side door/roof secure from being opened from the inside?
• Does the emergency notification system work?
• Does the emergency lighting work?
• Are there unprotected car openings or shaft ways?
• Is there a covered electrical control panel in the electrical room?
• Are there hydraulic fluid leaks?
• Is the electric equipment room secure?
• On the floor by the electrical control panel is there a di-electric mat? is it in good condition?
• Are there appropriate warning labels posted in the elevators?
• Is annual service documented through a Certificate of Insurance?
• Does the elevator contain an Inspection Certificate for passengers to see?

Some of these questions you can answer yourself by looking at the elevator or testing it out, but others can be answered by the elevator maintenance team or a building manager.

Escalator Safety Checklist

Similarly, there is a list of safety questions that you can ask when you are dealing with an escalator. Those questions are as follows:

• Are the railings free from cracks or damage that could harm a person’s hands?
• It is easy to access or use the protected emergency stop switches? Remember never to use these switches when there are passengers on the escalator.
• Are the treads free of damage and intact?
• Are the comb plates intact?
• Are there guards hiding harsh angles between the floor and the escalator?
• Is lighting under the tread operational?
• Are landing surfaces slippery due to lubricants, silicon, etc.?
• In the event of a power outage, is there emergency lighting available to help those using the escalators? Does this lighting work?
• Is annual service documented through a Certificate of Insurance?

Help After an Accident

Checking these safety protocols can help you and others stay safe when using elevators and escalators. In the evident of an accident and subsequent injury, contact my office for help reviewing your situation and filing a personal injury lawsuit, if applicable.