FACTS

Here are some common safety hazards related to elevators or lifts:

1. Entrapment: Passengers can get trapped in elevators during malfunctions or power outages, which can lead to panic, distress, and even injury if they attempt to escape without professional help.
2. Door Malfunctions: Elevator doors that malfunction can close prematurely or unexpectedly, posing a risk of injury to entering or exiting passengers.
3. Falls into Shafts: There is a risk of falling into the elevator shaft if the elevator car is not properly aligned with the floor or if there is unauthorized access to the shaft.
4. Mechanical Failures: Mechanical failures can cause sudden stops or drops, leading to injuries among passengers.
5. Electrical Hazards: Electrical faults can pose shock or fire hazards, particularly during maintenance or in the event of equipment failure.
6. Inadequate Maintenance: Poorly maintained elevators are more prone to malfunctions and breakdowns, increasing the risk of accidents.
7. Overcrowding: Overloading an elevator beyond its capacity can strain the elevator’s mechanical systems and may lead to malfunctions or entrapments.
8. Slip, Trip, and Fall: Slippery surfaces within the elevator or at entry/exit points can lead to slip, trip, and fall accidents.

STATS

• Elevator accidents are relatively rare given the number of elevator trips taken annually. In the United States, there are about 2.2 million elevator trips every day, yet accidents constitute only a minuscule percentage of these trips. Specifically, elevator accidents represent just 0.00024% of all elevator trips in the U.S. Mechanical failures are responsible for around 15.3% of these accidents, and entrapments and door-related issues are also significant causes of incidents.
• In Canada, between 2016 and 2018, there were 48 serious injuries and 9 fatalities related to elevator incidents. This translates to about one incident per million elevator trips, which is relatively low compared to other countries .
• On a global scale, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Consumer Product Safety Commission report approximately 900 elevator accidents leading to injury each year worldwide. There are about 30 elevator-related fatalities annually, predominantly involving maintenance workers or passengers engaging in unsafe activities.
• The NHS sees around 10,000 cases of injuries caused by elevator accidents each year. The most common fall injury occurs when people trip when entering or exiting an elevator and the car does not stop flush with the floor. It is estimated that around 75% of elevator injuries are caused by trips and falls.