Elevator Injuries 101
Safety
Modern advances in technology, along with stringent inspection and maintenance
requirements have developed a strong track record for elevator safety. In the
2011 edition of their Injury Facts report, the National Safety Council reported only
21,876 injuries related to elevators, escalators, and moving walks.
Elevator Incidents
While it is generally accepted that elevators are a safe and reliable mode of
transportation, preventable injuries continue to occur. The experts at Robson
Forensic have been retained to investigate more than 500 injuries involving
elevators, the majority of which fall into 3 general categories:
Errant Door Function 37%- Incidents where
the doors fail to properly function.
Misleveling – 25%
Incidents where the elevator fails to stop level with the finished floor. Resulting
injuries commonly involve trips and falls while passing through the threshold of
the car. This condition will sometimes result in entrapment, an industry specific
term to describe a car that has stopped between floors.
Other – 11%
These incidents do not fit neatly into the above mentioned categories and include
a range of issues; some involve the injury of maintenance workers, including
electrical shocks and falls into the hoistway; others involve non-mechanical
issues that injure riders, such as slips and falls on flooring, or injuries from falling
ceiling or wall panels.
No matter the cause or severity of injury in your case, there is a strong chance that
our experts have investigated a similar incident.
Abrupt Starts/Stops 27%- Incidents involve
a sudden and unexpected drop of the elevator car.
Standards & Industry Resources
Misleveling
Sudden
Drop 25%- Incidents where the
elevator fails to come level with the finished floor.
In the United States, elevators and escalators are subject to state and municipal
codes, which often conform to ANSI/ASME guidelines covering design, construction,
operation, inspection, testing, maintenance, alteration, and repair. The local codes
may also incorporate other national standards related to building and life safety
such as OSHA, NFPA and ADA.
Errant Door Function
Misleveling
Other 11%- Incidents vary from electrical
Other
shocks, to trip and falls on elevator car flooring, to
construction related injuries.
Errant Door Function - 37%
Incidents where the doors fail to open or close properly. Incidents may involve a
rider being struck and knocked off-balance by the door, while others may involve
riders being caught between the doors, or trapped within the elevator.
Abrupt Starts/Stops – 27%
Incidents involve a sudden and unusual movement of the elevator car that often
causes riders to fall or collide with other riders and/or objects in the car. Incidents
can be related to power loss or over speed conditions.
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ASME A17.1 - Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators
ASME A17.2 - Guide for Inspection of Elevators, Escalators, and Moving Walks
ASME A17.3 - Safety Code for Existing Elevators and Escalators
ASME A17.4 - Guide for Emergency Evacuation of Passengers from Elevators
ASME A17.5 - Elevator and Escalator Electrical Equipment
ASME A17.6 – 2010 Standard for Suspension, Compensation & Governor Systems
NFPA 101 - Life Safety Code
NFPA 13 - Installation of Sprinklers
NFPA 70 - National Electrical Code
NFPA 72 - National Fire Alarm Code
OSHA 1926.406(B) - Electrical Safety
ADA Accessibility Guidelines – 4.10 Elevators (Dimensions, Controls, Signage)
Local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ)
More Information - Visit our elevator page online...
http://www.robsonforensic.com/experts/Elevators-Escalators.aspx
Robson Forensic | 800.813.6736 | www.robsonforensic.com