Overview
This safety bulletin is issued to all licensed elevating device contractors, asset owners, and agents that maintain or own escalators and moving walks. It applies to all escalators and moving walks maintained and tested within the scope of section 8.6 of the ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13 Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators.
Owners of Escalators and/or Moving Walks shall ensure all of the following:
- Prior to allowing the use of the escalator or moving walk by the public, a daily start-up check of escalators and/or moving walks shall be performed by designated authorized personnel.
An owner shall designate authorized personnel to perform the start-up of escalators and moving walks. - A record of designated authorized personnel who have been trained to complete the start-up procedure shall be kept on the premises where the escalator(s) and/or moving walk(s) are
located. That record shall be kept up-to-date and available for the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan to review upon request. - Stopped escalators shall not be used as a means of access or egress by non-authorized personnel. They must be properly barricaded if accessible to the general public to prevent such use.
The following checklist can be used to verify the condition of escalator equipment daily.
Escalator/moving walk start-up checklist guide
A good way to instruct your maintenance and building management staff is by a walk-through inspection with your escalator maintenance contractor or authority having jurisdiction (AHJ). The condition and degradation of components on older units can be noted and corrected before a major failure occurs. Self-inspections also help document your efforts to maintain equipment and ensure no issues are present during the inspection.
Common causes of Escalator injuries:
- Loss of balance while entering or exiting.
- Loss of balance from “jerking” or erratic motion of the unit.
- Catching of loose clothing or footwear in the “comb plate.”
- Slips and falls from slippery surfaces caused by excessive application of lubricants/cleaning agents on landing plates.
Refer to ASME A17.1-2013/CSA B44-13, Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, your local building code enforcement office (NBCC) or AHJ for questions about local escalator maintenance requirements.