Escalators appear to be slow-moving, simple pieces of machinery, but the reality is that they are very dangerous, powerful machines -- especially when not maintained properly. The owner of the property and the escalator maintenance company are both responsible for maintaining the escalator. Outdoor escalators and escalators which are not climate controlled environments present serious maintenance issues which must be closely monitored. Serious injuries can result from escalator accidents, including: amputations, fractures, lacerations, abrasions, and other serious injuries. These injuries can result in a number of different ways:
Sudden acceleration of escalator - escalators are set to move at a steady speed which allows people to stand comfortably on the escalator and step off the escalator safely. Sudden acceleration of the escalator can result in a loss of balance to the passengers, placing them at risk of serious injury.
Sudden stopping of escalator - sudden stopping of an escalator will inevitably result in passengers falling against the machine and one another, all of which can result ion serious injury.
Irregular movement of the escalator - the smooth movement of the escalator steps is one of the things that passengers depend upon for safe usage of the escalator. Irregular movement of the escalator is one of the things that makes use and leaving the escalator dangerous.
Entrapment at the end plate of the escalator - At the end of escalator, there is a plate with a series of teeth on it, under which the steps disappear to roll back to the start of the escalator. When clothing or body parts get caught at the end plate, the powerful engine of the escalator continues to pull the victim under the escalator, subjecting him or her to ever more serious injury. Missing teeth on the end plate increases the likelihood of this occurring and is a serious safety hazard.
Sidewall entrapment on an escalator - safety standards require only a very minimal gap between the tread and the sidewall of the escalator. Nonetheless each year, hundred of escalator passengers, mainly small children get their hands and fingers stuck in between the tread and the sidewall of the escalator. When this happens, hands and fingers are pulled deeper into the machine causing ever more serious injuries from friction against the step and sidewall, cutting from sharp metal edges, and crushing in between the step and sidewall. The main cause of sidewall entrapment is a combination of skewing of step and warping of the sidewalls acting together which produces a large enough gap for hands and fingers to become entrapped.
