How do you prevent an accident (on escalators and unfamiliar machinery) - or prevent it happening again?
A woman died on a station escalator in Montreal early 2014. She was wearing a headscarf and long dress, clothing required in many countries by religion. Banned in other places.
Let's look at accident prevention.
Articles and comments from the public lead you on a trail through similar accidents.
The same features occur again and again:
Trailing clothes. Long hair. Scarves. High heeled shoes. Can't find exit in dark. Struck by passing vehicle.
You can calculate accidents on roads/ workplaces/fairgrounds exactly in many cities; laws/insurance require managers to report accidents, or display warnings. City centres display road accident figures. Underground stations display the number of accidents on escalators per year. if you display the number of accidents and the safety rules people will take prevention more seriously. Most accidents described had preventable causes: Children had untied shoe laces. Children carried food items they can drop and bend down to pick up down on a moving escalator (or in the middle of a road when running across). Trailing scarves. Loose shirt tails which should be tucked in. Long loose skirts which get caught in your heels or in escalators. Lack of sufficient attendants in busy stations. Loose belts, people carrying more luggage than they can handle on escalators machinery so they don't have a free hand to hold the rail - signs tell you to use the lift/elevator but should explain why
What can you as a family member, member of a travelling group, or as an individual traveller, do to prevent accidents.
1 Adjust your clothing and footwear to your surroundings.
2 Limit luggage so you have a free hand.
3 Travel with a companion.
4 Always know the safety exit and emergency buttons.
5 Know how to shout for help in the local language.
6 Rehearse an emergency appeal. (e.g. what's French for Help. Accident. Call police.
7 Hold your possessions.
8 Wear clothing which is not hanging loose.
9 Wear clothing you can pull free in the case of accent or fire.
10 Have small scissors or even a plastic knife to cut.
11 Keep long hair in a bun or cap when swimming or travelling.
12 Tie your shoelaces.
I used to glance with surprise at people who hesitated to get on an escalator or into a lift. But I had the same feeling before getting onto fairground rides. Now I wonder whether it's a sensible precaution to stop and consider before getting onto a moving contraption.
A woman died on a station escalator in Montreal early 2014. She was wearing a headscarf and long dress, clothing required in many countries by religion. Banned in other places.
Let's look at accident prevention.
Articles and comments from the public lead you on a trail through similar accidents.
The same features occur again and again:
Trailing clothes. Long hair. Scarves. High heeled shoes. Can't find exit in dark. Struck by passing vehicle.
You can calculate accidents on roads/ workplaces/fairgrounds exactly in many cities; laws/insurance require managers to report accidents, or display warnings. City centres display road accident figures. Underground stations display the number of accidents on escalators per year. if you display the number of accidents and the safety rules people will take prevention more seriously. Most accidents described had preventable causes: Children had untied shoe laces. Children carried food items they can drop and bend down to pick up down on a moving escalator (or in the middle of a road when running across). Trailing scarves. Loose shirt tails which should be tucked in. Long loose skirts which get caught in your heels or in escalators. Lack of sufficient attendants in busy stations. Loose belts, people carrying more luggage than they can handle on escalators machinery so they don't have a free hand to hold the rail - signs tell you to use the lift/elevator but should explain why
What can you as a family member, member of a travelling group, or as an individual traveller, do to prevent accidents.
1 Adjust your clothing and footwear to your surroundings.
2 Limit luggage so you have a free hand.
3 Travel with a companion.
4 Always know the safety exit and emergency buttons.
5 Know how to shout for help in the local language.
6 Rehearse an emergency appeal. (e.g. what's French for Help. Accident. Call police.
7 Hold your possessions.
8 Wear clothing which is not hanging loose.
9 Wear clothing you can pull free in the case of accent or fire.
10 Have small scissors or even a plastic knife to cut.
11 Keep long hair in a bun or cap when swimming or travelling.
12 Tie your shoelaces.
I used to glance with surprise at people who hesitated to get on an escalator or into a lift. But I had the same feeling before getting onto fairground rides. Now I wonder whether it's a sensible precaution to stop and consider before getting onto a moving contraption.
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