SINGAPORE: Most escalator incidents in the first 10 months of this year arose from user behaviour, and the most common was caused by the carrying of bulky items, said the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) on Monday (Nov 27).
A total of 632 escalator incidents were reported from January to October, with 97 per cent of the cases linked to improper use.
Less than 3 per cent – 16 cases – were a result of mechanical faults such as the handrail stopping while the escalator was still in operation.
The top cause was due to users carrying bulky items including prams, luggage and shopping trolleys, which accounted for 17 per cent of all cases.
Another 16 per cent were due to users moving on an escalator or not holding the handrail. About 12 per cent were attributed to the physical health conditions of the user who, for instance, might be feeling dizzy or unwell while using the escalator.
About 11 per cent of incidents were a result of users being distracted, including from the use of mobile phones. The fifth most common cause – 9 per cent – arose from shoes or body parts getting trapped in the escalator steps, particularly among young children.
On the cases linked to the carrying of bulky items, more than half of the incidents involved users aged 55 and above, said BCA.
“This data underscores the need for more targeted initiatives to discourage individuals with bulky items from using escalators for their personal safety,” it said.
BCA’s group director for electrical and mechanical engineering group Teo Orh Hai said: “Making escalators safe for all users is a shared responsibility.”
“Given the high rate of incidents linked to user behaviour, we urge everyone to be more aware and careful while using escalators.”