How can we avoid elevator accidents?

Elevators are electromechanical systems that carry people and/or loads in a closed cabin vertically from one stop to another in buildings. In the process that started with the industrial revolution in the early 19th century in Europe and continues until today; the development of industry and the shift of population from rural areas to areas where industry is dense brought about the need for housing. The appreciation of land in these regions brought the construction of multi-storey houses to the agenda. Elevators are the most essential elements of multi-storey houses.

This time, we wanted to talk about a different subject by saying a little precaution and awareness. How can we take precautions on this important issue?

Unfortunately, no one in the world can completely get rid of all the dangers. However, it is in our hands to take precautions against the dangers we may encounter and to minimize the risks that these dangers may pose to us. What you do and how you act in these situations can save your life with the information you can learn in advance. Moreover, this is also for the benefit of the people next to you. So how can we get rid of elevator accidents and the risks we may encounter in the event of elevator falls?

#1 Jumping Right at the Moment of Falling
First of all, I should start by stating that jumping right at the moment of falling will not be easy. However, remember that you reduce the impact of the fall in proportion to your jumping power. Finally, let's end by stating a risk of this option: since you do not know which part of your body you will fall on after jumping, there is still a possibility that you will experience some problems.

#2 Do not stand straight!
One of the things you should definitely not do. If you experience the elevator fall while standing upright, you will be shaken by a weight exactly 10 times your body weight and it will not be difficult to guess what effect this will have on your body!

#3 Lie on Your Back on the Elevator Floor
The moment you feel the elevator start to fall, immediately lie on your back! In this position, you will spread the impact that your body will be exposed to throughout your entire body and minimize the severity.

#4 If There is More Than One Person in the Elevator
The best thing you can do in this situation is to sit on the floor of the elevator. In this position, the load on your skeleton will be much less than when standing. If there is very little space, at least try to bend your knees; because this will help reduce the strength of the effect.

So what are the other important elements?

Especially in the last 25 years, developments such as the increase in the speed of elevators to over 10 m/s and the construction of elevators with speeds of 22 m/s today have led to the need to further develop comfort and safety measures in elevators.

Countries have ensured that elevators, which provide comfort and convenience to human life, are kept under control from the design stage to the production stage, from the production stage to the maintenance stage, and from the maintenance stage to the periodic control stage by preparing laws, statutes, regulations and standards.

Elevators are safe systems provided that the legal legislation is complied with. Legal legislation and standards are renewed depending on the developments in elevators. The purpose of standards and regulations is to prevent possible risks related to various accidents in elevators and to protect people and goods against possible accident risks during the operation, maintenance and emergency situations of passenger and/or freight elevators. Possible risks that may cause an elevator accident are; breaking, crushing, falling, impact, being trapped, fire, electric shock. They also suffer damage due to reasons such as mechanical damage, wear and rust. Please make sure that the elevators in your building comply with these regulations. If they do not comply, submit your complaint to the relevant persons! Your health and safety cannot be neglected.

Protection from Elevator Accidents: Conscious Use and Safety Measures
Elevators are transportation vehicles that we use frequently in our daily lives, but whose safety should not be neglected. Elevator accidents can occur for various reasons and can have serious consequences. Therefore, it is of great importance to be careful and take safety precautions when using elevators.

Causes of Elevator Accidents
The main causes of elevator accidents include:

Lack of maintenance: Failure to regularly maintain elevators can cause mechanical parts to deteriorate and safety systems to fail.
Overload: Loading the elevator beyond its carrying capacity brings risks such as cables breaking or the engine burning out.
Electrical failures: Failures in electrical systems can cause the elevator to move or stop in an uncontrolled manner.
Usage errors: Misuses such as pressing the emergency stop button unnecessarily, moving inside the elevator, or trying to enter while the doors are closing can also cause accidents.
How Can We Protect Ourselves from Elevator Accidents?
It is important to take the following precautions to protect ourselves from elevator accidents:

Regular maintenance: The direction of the buildings

The elevator operators and elevator companies must ensure that the elevators are periodically maintained in accordance with legal regulations.

Compliance with the carrying capacity: The carrying capacity must be checked before getting on the elevator and care must be taken not to overload it.

Being informed about the location and use of emergency buttons: Being informed about where the emergency stop button is and how to use it allows for rapid intervention in a possible situation.

Not moving inside the elevator: Moving inside the elevator or preventing the doors from closing while it is moving is dangerous.

Not allowing children to get on the elevator alone: ​​Children should not be left alone as they can be more careless when using the elevator.

Not getting on faulty elevators: If a fault is noticed in an elevator, it should not be boarded and authorized persons should be notified.
What to Do in Case of an Elevator Accident?
The following should be done in case of an elevator accident:

Staying calm: It is important to try to stay calm instead of panicking.
Calling for help: The relevant units such as the building management or the fire department should be called immediately.
Not moving in the elevator: Moving in the elevator can cause the situation to worsen.

Informing the people around: It will also be useful to ask for help by informing the people around.

Conclusion
Elevator accidents can be largely prevented when the necessary precautions are taken. Regular maintenance, correct use and conscious behaviors ensure that elevators are used safely. Let's not forget that our safety is in our hands.

Note: This article is for general information purposes. It is recommended that you consult experts for more detailed information about elevators.

Additional Information:

Legal regulations regarding elevator safety: You can obtain more detailed information about elevator safety by examining the relevant legislation.
Elevator manufacturers' safety standards: You can obtain information about safety standards from elevator manufacturers' websites.
Responsibilities of building managers: Building managers are responsible for the safety of elevators in their buildings.
Keywords: elevator accident, safety, maintenance, usage errors, emergency, precaution

This article aims to raise awareness about elevator safety and ensure that people use elevators more safely.

Finally, we would like to state that; taking precautions saves lives!
source: google, emoji.com.tr