DOSH to conduct study on escalator accident factors

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will be conducting a study on the factors which could potentially lead to escalator accidents.
"This study would include an examination of the technical, usage and the "human factor" aspects which contribute to these accidents. Safety features will be improved based on the findings," the department said in a statement today (14/2).
This move comes in the wake of the latest escalator mishap on Monday where a four-year-old boy was left with a severed foot.
The department said it will also perform operations to examine escalators nationwide, especially those in shopping malls and places with high human traffic.
"DOSH will strengthen existing regulations by implementing stricter safety features and management guidelines to escalator operators and premise owners."
"It is the responsibility of the premise owners to appoint only competent firms authorised by DOSH to perform any work on the escalators," the department stressed, adding that maintenance work should be conducted according to schedule to ensure the escalators are always in good condition.
The department reminded users to be alert and to keep an eye on young children to ensure their feet are positioned within the yellow demarcation line.
"Children wearing sandals and rubber shoes should be under close supervision as these types of footwear could get wedged or trapped in the escalator easily."
To prevent recurrences of escalator mishaps, DOSH will also be holding discussions with the Malaysia Shopping Malls Association and the Malaysian Lift and Escalator Association.
Most escalators in Malaysia are designed according to the EN 115-1 standard, which regulates the safety features of an escalator.
Safety devices that should be installed according to the EN 115-1 include the emergency stop button, yellow demarcation line and skirt brush.