DOSH to inspect escalators nationwide after boy’s foot severed

PUTRAJAYA: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) will carry out inspection of escalators nationwide, especially in shopping malls.

The checks would be conducted following an incident where a four-year-old boy, Dzil Mikhail Nasaruddin, had part of his left foot severed when it got stuck in between the side panel and the steps of an escalator at KL Sentral last Feb 8, said DOSH in a statement yesterday.

It said a study would be conducted by looking into the technical aspect, usage and human factor, to further improve the safety features of escalators .

This was in line with a call by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Rohani Abdul Karim two days ago for safety features of escalators to be improved.

DOSH will also discuss with the relevant parties, including the Association of Complex Management Malaysia (PPK) and the Malaysian Lift and Escalator Association (MALEA) to find ways to prevent accidents on escalators.

On the escalator incident at KL Sentral, DOSH said initial investigations showed that the safety devices installed on the escalator were in good condition and functioning when tested.

To ensure safety of users, most escalators in Malaysia are of the EN 115-1 design which are installed with safety features like the emergency stop button, yellow demarcation line on step and skirt brush’ on both sides of the panel.

Parents and adults accompanying children on escalators should be careful and ensure the children place their feet in the correct position in the designated area (yellow demarcation line on step).

They should be extra careful if their children wear rubber slippers or soft shoes because the slippers and shoes could be easily pulled or snagged on a moving escalator. - Bernama