COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE

HUMAN RESOURCES SAFETY DIVISION

Elevators and escalators are one of the safest modes

of transportation in the world. Virtually all multi level
buildings are equipped with at least one of these
transport modes. But even though they have several
built in safety features and are mandated to be
inspected yearly by Cal-OSHA, accidents still happen.
On average 17,000 people are injured in elevator/
escalator accidents in the United States alone. On
average 30 are killed.
The most frequent cause of an injury to elevator
passengers is an elevator door closing on a body part.
75% of escalator injuries were caused by falls, while
20% were caused by getting stuck at the bottom or
on top of the escalator – usually due to footwear or clothing getting entangled. There are more severe
accidents with escalators than elevators. Most of the accidents on escalators are caused by user behavior
and not following safety guidelines. We often see children playing on or near escalators and walkways
without the supervision of their parents, despite clear warnings. Children trolleys and prams are also often
seen on escalators, which is absolutely unsafe.
There are many beliefs about lift safety that are greatly misconceived. For example, some people fear that
elevator ropes may snap, plummeting them to the ground. However, this is only known to have happened
once in the time of the modern elevator, in the Empire State Building, after a small plane collided with the
elevator cable in 1941. Even in this instance, the emergency safety gear (an automatically activated safety
brake gripping the guide rails) was able to prevent the lift car from freefalling. Here are some elevator and
escalator safety tips that could help you in an emergency.

Elevator Safety Tips

When waiting for elevators:

• Know your destination. • If the arriving car is full, wait for the next car.

• Push the elevator call button once for the • Don’t attempt to maneuver in or stop closing
direction you want to go in. doors, wait for the next car.

• Look and listen for the signal announcing your • In the event of a fire or other situation that
car’s arrival. could lead to a disruption in electrical
services, take the stairs.
• Be aware of health conditions that could
contribute to falls or accidents.

• Stand clear of the elevator doors and stand

aside for exiting passengers.
 COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE HUMAN RESOURCES
SAFETY DIVISION

When boarding elevators:

• Watch your step – the elevator car may not be • Once on board, quickly press the button for your
perfectly level with the floor. floor and move to the back of the car to make
room for other passengers. When riding
• Stand clear of the doors – keep clothes and elevators:
carry-ons away from the opening.
• Hold the handrail, if available.
• Hold children and pets firmly.
• Stand next to the elevator wall, if available.
• Passengers nearest to the doors should move
first when the car arrives. • Pay attention to the floor indications.
• Push and hold the DOOR OPEN button if doors • If the doors do not open when the elevator
need to be held open, or ask someone to push stops, push the DOOR OPEN button.
the button for you.
• Never try to stop a closing door, wait for the
next car.

When exiting elevators:

• Exit immediately at your floor. Do
not wait for others behind you..
• Do not push the people in front
of you when exiting.
• Watch your step – the elevator
car may not be perfectly level
with the floor.

In the event of an elevator emergency:

• If the elevator should ever stop between floors, do not panic. There is
plenty of air in the elevator.

• Never climb out of a stalled elevator.

• Use the ALARM or HELP button, the telephone or the intercom to call for
assistance.

• Above all, wait for qualified help to arrive and never try to leave an
elevator that has not stopped normally.

• Emergency lighting will come on in the event of a power failure.

 COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE HUMAN RESOURCES
SAFETY DIVISION

What to Do if you are Stalled in an Elevator

1. Push the "Door Open" Button

• If you are near the landing the door will open. You can slowly and carefully step out of the
elevator. Be sure to watch your step as the elevator floor may, or may not, be level with the
landing.

2. Remain Calm

• If the door does not open, you are still safe. Do not try to exit the elevator. Wait for trained
emergency personnel to arrive. Even if the air temperature feels warm, there is plenty of air
circulating in the elevator and its hoist-way.

3. Press the Alarm or Help Button, and Use Any Available Communication Systems

• There will be a "PHONE" or "HELP" button this will place a call to a party that is trained to take action (i.e.
elevator company, alarm company, etc.). It will give the exact location of the building and elevator you
are in. Trained emergency personnel will answer the call for service.

• Some elevators have a two-way speaker system or telephone that will allow for communication between
you and the building or rescue personnel.

4. Relax, and DO NOT Try to Extract Yourself from the Elevator

• NEVER try to exit a stalled elevator car. It is extremely dangerous. ALWAYS wait for trained
emergency personnel.

• Your best course of action is to relax, get comfortable, and wait for professional assistance.

• You may be inconvenienced but you are SAFE.

ESCALATOR TIPS:
• Watch the direction of the moving step and step • Wear closed-toed and hard-soled shoes
on and off with extra care.
• Stand clear of the sides of the escalator.
• Take care if you are wearing bifocals or similar
eyewear. • Face forward and keep firm grip on the handrail.
• Hold children firmly with one arm or hold child’s • Reposition your hand slowly if the handrail moves
free hand. ahead or behind the steps.
• Hold small packages firmly in one hand, but • Don’t climb onto or ride the handrail.
always leave one hand available to hold the • Do not let children sit on steps or stand too close
handrail. to sides.
• Grasp the handle as you step onto the moving • When exiting escalators: Don't hesitate and step
step. off promptly.
• Do not go in the opposite direction of the • Make sure to step over the comb fingers; don’t
escalator. let your feet slide off the end of the escalator.
• Do not take wheelchairs, electric scooters, • Immediately move clear of the escalator exit
strollers, hand carts, on the escalator. area; don't stop to talk or look around since
• When riding escalators: Keep loose clothing clear other passengers may be behind you.
of steps and sides.
 SAFETY EDUCATION:
HOW TO USE A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

P A S S
PULL AIM SQUEEZE SWEEP
: Place a finger inside the safety pin
loop and pull the pin FIRMLY!
:
Remove the nozzle
and point it at the base of the
fire
:
Place your hand on the
bottom of the handle, leaving your thumb free
to depress the top lever. Pressing down will
activate the extinguisher.
: Activate the extinguisher and make a
sweeping motion at the base of the fire. Try to
use short bursts so that you don’t waste the
fire retardant.

:
Don’t get caught by the fire, have your back
to the exit and if it grows rapidly GET OUT!. If
you don’t believe you can perform the task,
don’t deploy the extinguisher. Only use the an
extinguisher on the type of fire it is
intended for.
 COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE HUMAN RESOURCES
SAFETY DIVISION

LADDER SAFETY
Ladders are tools. Many of the basic safety rules that apply to most tools also
apply to the safe use of a ladder:

• If you feel tired or dizzy, or are prone to losing

your balance, stay off the ladder. • When the ladder is set-up for use, it must be
• Do not use ladders in high winds or storms. placed on firm level ground and without any type
of slippery condition present at either the base or
• Wear clean slip-resistant shoes. Shoes with top support points.
leather soles are not appropriate for ladder use
since they are not considered sufficiently slip • Only one person at a time is permitted on a
resistant. ladder unless the ladder is specifically designed
for more than one climber (such as a Trestle
• Before using a ladder, inspect it to confirm it is in Ladder).
good working condition.
• Ladders must not be placed in front of closed
• Ladders with loose or missing parts must be doors that can open toward the ladder. The door
rejected. Rickety ladders that sway or lean to the must be blocked open, locked, or guarded.
side must be rejected.
• Read the safety information labels on the
• The ladder you select must be the right size for ladder.
the job.
• The on-product safety information is specific to
• The Duty Rating of the ladder must be greater the particular type of ladder on which it appears.
than the total weight of the climber, tools, The climber is not considered qualified or
supplies, and other objects placed upon the adequately trained to use the ladder until familiar
ladder. The length of the ladder must be with this information.
sufficient so that the climber does not have to
stand on the top rung or step.
When climbing a ladder, it is safest to utilize Three Points-of-Contact because it minimizes the chances of
slipping and falling from the ladder. At all times during ascent, descent, and working, the climber must face
the ladder and have two hands and one foot, or two feet and one hand in contact with the ladder steps,
rungs and/or side rails. In this way, the climber is not likely to become unstable in the event one limb slips
during the climb. It is important to note that the climber must not carry any objects in either hand that can
interfere with a firm grip on the ladder. Otherwise, Three Points-of-Contact with the ladder cannot be
adequately maintained and the chance of falling is increased in the event a hand or foot slip occurs.

• Although the user's weight or size typically does not increase the likelihood of a fall, improper climbing
posture creates user clumsiness and may cause falls. Reduce your chances of falling during the climb by:
• Wearing slip-resistant shoes with heavy soles to prevent foot fatigue;
• Cleaning the soles of shoes to maximize
traction;
• Using towlines, a tool belt or an assistant
to convey materials so that the climbers
hands are free when climbing;
• Climbing slowly and deliberately while
avoiding sudden movements;
• Never attempting to move a ladder while
standing on it;
• Keeping the center of your belt buckle
(stomach) between the ladder side rails
when climbing and while working. Do
not overreach or lean while working so
that you don't fall off the ladder
sideways or pull the ladder over
sideways while standing on it.
 COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE HUMAN RESOURCES
SAFETY DIVISION

POWERED INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS

Powered industrial trucks, commonly called forklifts or lift trucks, are used in
many industries, primarily to move materials. They can also be used to raise,
lower, or remove large objects or a number of smaller objects on pallets or in
boxes, crates, or other containers. Powered industrial trucks can either be
ridden by the operator or controlled by a walking operator. Over-the-road
haulage trucks and earth-moving equipment that has been modified to accept
forks are not considered powered industrial trucks.

What are the hazards associated with operating powered

industrial trucks?

There are many types of powered industrial trucks. Each type presents
different operating hazards. For example, a sit-down, counterbalanced high-lift
rider truck is more likely than a motorized hand truck to be involved in a falling
load accident because the sit-down rider truck can lift a load much higher than
a hand truck. Workplace type and conditions are also factors in hazards commonly associated with powered
industrial trucks. For example, retail establishments often face greater challenges than other worksites in
maintaining pedestrian safety. Beyond that, many workers can also be injured when (1) lift trucks are
inadvertently driven off loading docks; (2) lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer; (3) they are
struck by a lift truck; or (4) they fall while on elevated pallets and tines. It is a violation of Federal law for
anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly
trained and certified to do so.

What can be done to reduce the hazards related to powered industrial trucks?

Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and
the worksite where it is being used. Employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is
competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the
training and evaluation specified in 29 CFR 1910.178(l) (1). Safely operating a forklift requires preparation,
anticipation and careful attention in order to maintain control of the vehicle at all times. Recommended
practices associated with safe operations include:

Pre-Operation
• Inspect and maintain the forklift before use.

Traveling and Maneuvering

• Use good operating practices to prevent accidents.

Load Handling
• Identify the hazards and recommended practices
for each step in the load handling process
(including an in-depth discussion on Load
Composition).
Most fatalities occur when a worker is crushed by a forklift that has overturned or fallen from a loading dock.
NIOSH investigations of forklift-related deaths indicate that many workers and employers:

• May not be aware of the risks of operating or working near forklifts

• Are not following the procedures set forth in the OSHA standards, consensus standards, or equipment
manufacturer's guidelines.