Safe use of escalators focus of Safety and Health Week
SIBU: A total of 555 escalators in Sarawak were inspected during the Escalator Safety Usage Operations last year followed by issuance of five instruction letters and 60 notices for improvement to those operating escalators without safety features.
This was revealed by the Department of Occupational Safety and Health ( Dosh) Sibu during the Safety and Health (OSH) Week 2017 here recently.
The programme was organised by Dosh Sibu in collaboration with Sanyan complex here to increase awareness on escalator safety among children and parents.
“Investigation of 31 escalator cases in the past five years in the country revealed that 99 per cent of incidents were due to the wearing of soft rubber shoes, whereas in Sarawak, from 2011 to 2016, Dosh recorded seven accidents and dangerous incidents linked to lifts while eight cases were associated with escalators,” Dosh Sibu said in a press statement.
Dosh Sarawak stressed that safety issues in using escalators or moving ladders were not to be taken lightly. External factors that might contribute to escalator accidents include user attitude and carelessness.
“Nevertheless, lifts and escalators are the safest lifting equipment if used and serviced properly according to regulations. Parents and guardians are urged to cooperate by monitoring their children using escalators,” it said.
“Dosh Sarawak calls for awareness of the use of escalators to be increased among parents and children to prevent accidents,” it added.
Apart from the exhibition on safe use of escalators there were talks, and children aged nine to 10 years old were trained to use escalators safely.
There was also a colouring contest for children aged nine to 10 years old.