Just think of the day when there was no power and you had to make it to your office on the 7th floor on foot by stairs. It was on that day that you really missed the elevator. At the start of a day we are in a mad rush to catch one of these going up and when we call it a day we are eager to catch one going down. The elevator, as they call it in America or the lift as we call it here in India, is one of the safest modes of vertical transportation. The only time when it is not advisable to use them is in a fire situation.
Incidents involving lifts though rare are not uncommon. But most of these are due to passengers' fault and not due to the machine. In fact, the only time, as on record, an elevator has been known to go into freefall - with its entire cables cut - was during World War II, when an American bomber accidentally hit the Empire State Building. The plane's crew died, but the lone elevator passenger survived. Safe use of elevators starts when you approach the elevator door. You can have a smooth and safe ride to your destination floor if you observe the following precautions.
When you are waiting for an elevator:
 Give way to passengers getting out of the elevator, and wait for
the next trip if the elevator is full.- Don't try to stop a closing door or try to open a closed door with anything, including hands, feet, canes, briefcases, etc. Wait for the next trip.
- In case of fire, use the stairs, not an elevator. For, elevators can lose electric power and you could be trapped inside.
When you enter and leave the elevator:
- Enter and exit carefully. Watch your step. Hold children's hands firmly.
- Stand clear off the doors. Keep clothes and any luggage that you may be carrying, away from the opening.
- Push and hold the Door Open button if doors need to be held open, or ask someone to push the Door Open button for you.
When riding on the elevator:
- Stand away from the doors and pay attention on the floor that you have to reach.
- If the doors are stuck, use the emergency call button (or phone, if available) and wait for the professionals.
- Stay calm. Do not attempt to leave the car unless directed by those in charge.
 You should not panic, as there is sufficient air in the lift to sustain you till help arrives. You can relax by taking a few deep breathes and by remaining calm. There is no need to panic. Try to engage yourself in something that makes you comfortable. Never try to climb out of an elevator. There have been cases where people have fallen down the shaft trying to climb out of an elevator. Every elevator has an alarm button and an intercom or phone. In large buildings, an on-site elevator supervisor should respond to your call within five minutes.
Sit down. Some people have fallen when the elevator suddenly restarted. Don't worry about being in the dark. Lighting runs on a separate circuit. Even if it does go out, there is a backup system that would kick in for up to four hours.
Stay put. Never attempt to force open the doors or crawl out of the opening on the roof of the car. The elevator could start moving again and it could turn out to be a dangerous move with fatal results. Wait until a qualified mechanic or rescue personnel comes to your aid.
To avoid tripping while entering or getting out of the lift ensure that the floor at the entrance of the elevator is at level. Children (and adults) can trip if the elevator isn't exactly in level with the floor. It's important to follow the safety instructions put up in the elevator. It could ensure a safe ride for you and your near and dear ones.
Anoop Khanna
Asst. Manager (PR)
For further details contact:
Loss Prevention Association of India Ltd., (LPA)
Seethakathi Chambers, ( 4th Floor)
688, Anna Salai, Chennai - 600 006.
Phone : 8524648, 8523920.
Fax: 8523746.
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