Tag: safety

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT: SIGNAGE ON ESCALATOR & MOVING WALK HANDRAILS

October 15th, 2013

An open letter to all Authorities Having Jurisdiction, Maintenance Contractors, Consultants, and Equipment Owners in the United States and Canada:

The topic of signage on escalator & moving walk handrails has been one of considerable discussion over the past several years.

ASME A17.1-2010/CSA B.44-10, section 6.1.6.9.2, specifies that no “additional signage” shall be permitted within the “safety-zone” of the escalator.  Similar language can be found in 6.2.6.8.2 pertaining to moving walks.  The same paragraph goes on to define the Safety Zone as an area that extends 118” (3m) horizontally outward from the newel and cautions that additional signage should not impede traffic flow.  ASME A17.3 – 2011 only addresses mandatory Caution Signs and contains no language regarding Additional Signage.

Various interpretations of the “additional signage” wording have in the past lead to acceptance of handrail signage in some jurisdictions and refusal in others.

The purpose of this communication is to provide an update on code revisions, address perceived safety concerns, and open a channel for feedback and additional requests for information.

Late 2011; the A17 Escalator and Moving Walk Committee unanimously approved revisions to sections 6.1.6.9.2 and 6.2.6.8.2 and the creation of 6.1.6.9.3 and 6.2.6.8.3.   These changes specifically permit handrail signs or graphics on escalators and moving walks providing that they do not distract, impede passenger flow, or impair the operation of safety devices.  At their May 9 2012 meeting, the A17 Standards Committee approved these revisions for publication in A7.1 – 2013.

The benefits of simple motion indicators on handrails have been widely known for decades; they provide better visual cues of speed and direction of travel for escalator passengers, especially for children and the elderly.  With today’s evolved print technology it is now possible to provide handrail motion indicators in full-color and in high-resolution; resulting in opportunities to convey safety, directional, or other information to the riding public in a tactile and interactive way.

In a world where we are bombarded with distractions handrail signs and graphics direct passenger focus to the escalator; improving the frequency of handrail holding and of natural steps both on & off the escalator.

Pilot installations on four escalators in the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority demonstrated how handrail signage can be used to positively reinforce the mandatory Caution Signage required in 6.1.6.9.1/ 6.2.6.8.1. and to further mitigate accident risks.

There are presently two types of handrail signs and graphics; one designed to be changed regularly on-site, the other a permanent addition to the handrail.   Both have undergone rigorous testing in aggressive laboratory environments and with extensive world-wide field installations.

Temporary installations are accomplished with the addition of a durable composite thermoplastic film; engineered specifically for field-application to escalator and moving walk handrails.   Stringent procedures and quality guidelines ensure that handrails must pass inspection prior to application and daily unit start-up and shut-down procedures are supplemented with additional inspection requirements.

Further information is available to all upon request and feedback based on your experiences with handrail signs and graphics is most welcome.

The cooperation of all Authorities Having Jurisdiction in granting any required variances until such time as A17.1 -2013 has been adopted is a step forward in improving Passenger Safety on Escalator and Moving Walks and is sincerely appreciated.

EHC GLOBAL Handrail Signage

For further information; please contact:

Patrick R. Bothwell  |  Director of Sales  |  EHC GLOBAL
Telephone: 1-905-447-6709
E-mail:  patrick.bothwell@drakaehc.com

Escalator Safety Brush Promotion Raises Funds For EESF

For the past 18 years the EESF (Elevator & Escalator Safety Foundation) has been educating children, senior citizens and the general public with its safety messages. Each year this non-profit organization seeks the assistance of individuals, schools, groups and corporations to fulfill its vision of ‘educating the public on the safe and proper use of elevators, escalators and moving walks through informational programs.’

Last September, EHC Global announced to its customers that for each Escalator Safety Brush kit purchased, $10.00 USD would be donated to the Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation to help support their programs. EHC safety brushes are specially designed to reduce accidents caused by side-step entrapments.

The promotion took place during the last quarter of 2008 and thanks to EHC customers, US$2,860 will be donated this month.

The EESF is seeking to further spread its message on safety as thousands of passengers are still being injured each year. In 2007, the Consumer Product Safety Commission estimated that 11,000 people were injured on escalators across the US and side-step entrapments were one of the major causes of injuries.

Commenting on the initiative was Monica Stoer, General Manager Sales & Marketing – The Americas

“EHC has been a longstanding supporter of EESF financially but also through volunteer work. This year we took a different approach because we wanted our customers to know that they are also contributing, through us, to the safety and wellbeing of families when they buy our escalator safety brushes.”

ADRail USA Celebrates National Escalator Safety Week With SEPTA & VTX

ADRail USA is proud to announce the installation of two escalator safety campaigns with SEPTA in support and celebration of National Elevator and Escalator Safety Week. The installations at the Frankford and Olney transportation stations both feature safety messages asking that riders “Please Hold the Handrail for Your Safety” and are color coordinated to the respective train line that connects through the station with a holiday twist.

About ADRail Safety Benefits:

ADRail(TM) is safety tested escalator handrail advertising. ADRail(TM) is seen as a safety benefit, not a safety detractor. Safety benefits include encouragement for passengers to hold the handrail, a visual motion indication provided by the handrail graphics and built in antimicrobial properties that prevent the spread of germs on handrails. Without ADRail(TM), escalator handrails are one of the top five germ infested public surfaces.

ADRail(TM) is approved for Safety:

ADRail(TM) has been approved for safety and running for 5 years in Europe, Asia, and Canada. It has been successfully piloted in Chicago’s, New York’s, and Washington’s transit systems with no problems or concerns. ADRail(TM) is also currently installed in the Pittsburgh transit systems.

Safety studies conducted by Synovate Research on behalf of EHC Global, ADRail(TM) technology inventor and patent holder, show that the percentage of riders who held the handrails increased with the use of ADRail(TM). Safety studies were conducted in Oshawa, Canada and Kansai Airport, Japan, in addition to flammability tests to prove fire safety of ADRail(TM). ADRail(TM) also features TUV certification for safety and quality, documenting that ADRail(TM) does not hinder the day-to-day operation of an escalator.

ADRail(TM) has also reached the highest standards for its built in antimicrobial properties, NAMSA Japanese Antimicrobial Certification.

Daejeon Subway Promotes Escalator Safety With Escalator Handrail Advertising

Holding escalator handrails is one of the best ways to protect yourself from falling on an escalator if it suddenly stops – unfortunately, many do not hold the handrail.

The Daejeon Subway selected ADRail to promote a series of escalator safety cautions by putting messages directly where they would have the most impact – at the hands of the escalator passenger.