For Immediate Release: November 14, 2023
Contact: dobcommunications@buildings.nyc.gov, (212) 393-2126

DOB RECOGNIZES NATIONAL ELEVATOR AND ESCALATOR SAFETY AWARENESS WEEK

Amid a Recent Spike in Accidents, DOB Releases Tips to Take Safety to the Next Level

New York, NY – Today makes the start of National Elevator and Escalator Safety Awareness Week, and the New York City Department of Buildings is using the occasion to highlight a recent surge in elevator and escalator device incidents that have resulted in injuries here in New York City. So far in 2023, DOB’s Elevator Unit has been called to respond to a total of 100 accidents where at least one person was injured. That is up from the 76 similar incidents that were reported during the entire 2022 calendar year and 50 such incidents in all of 2021. The data shows that 96 of the 100 incidents that have occurred so far in 2023 resulted in injuries to passengers, a higher percentage compared to the previous two years.

“While elevators and escalators continue to be exceedingly safe in our City, and many of the injuries from accidents are thankfully minor, we are seeing a troubling increase in New Yorkers getting hurt while riding on these devices. The good news is that many of these incidents can be avoided by following simple, common-sense safety practices,” said Department of Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “Elevators and escalators complete an estimated one billion trips a year in our vertical City and it is our hope at DOB that New Yorkers will find these safety reminders helpful in ensuring a safe ride.”

Total Elevator and Escalator-Related Incidents

Elevator and Escalator-Related Incidents (Passengers and Mechanics)

DOB elevator inspectors are called to investigate any incident involving elevators and escalators under the Department’s jurisdiction. The majority of these elevator and escalator incidents were found to be minor in nature, and most injuries involve passengers slipping and falling while using escalators. Our investigations have also found that older New Yorkers and children are the most at risk for tripping and being injured while using elevator and escalator devices. Fatalities, while always tragic, are exceptionally rare for in service elevators and escalators. Our data shows that every fatality over the past several years involved an elevator company employee and mechanic working on out of service and under construction device.

In response to these rising incidents, during Elevator and Escalator Safety Week DOB is reminding New Yorkers on proper elevator and escalator riding etiquette, to safely use these ubiquitous transportation devices.

Elevator Safety tips:

• Do not exit the elevator if it stops and the doors open in between floors.
• Be patient and don’t crowd an elevator, too many people crowding into an elevator can cause it to get stuck.
• Never lean on elevator doors.
• Look down and make sure the elevator is level with the floor before entering or exiting.
• To hold the door open for a fellow passenger hoping to catch a ride, press and hold the designated door open button instead of using a body part to physically hold the door.
• Keep clothing items like ties and scarves clear of closing elevator doors.
• Avoid jumping, it can make an elevator uneven with the floor and cause it to get stuck.
• If you do get stuck in an elevator, the number one rule is ring the alarm button and wait for help. Never try to escape from a stuck elevator car before first responders arrive.

Escalator Safety Tips:

• Step on and off the escalator with purpose. Don’t drag your feet when riding an escalator.
• Hold the handrail, and don’t touch the sides below the handrail.
• Help young children and seniors on the escalator. Make sure to hold the hand of any young children while riding.
• Always face forward when riding the escalator.
• Don’t take a child’s stroller on to an escalator.
• Make sure your shoelaces are tied before riding an escalator.
• New Yorkers who are concerned about the safety of a passenger elevator or escalator in New York City are encouraged to let the Department know about it by filing a 311 complaint.

There are 70,000 passenger elevators and more than 2,800 escalators in DOB's jurisdiction that safely and successfully complete an estimated one billion rides every year, so New Yorkers are already well acquainted with the gentle hum and vertical pull that accompanies their regular use throughout our vertical City. And thanks to DOB’s rigorous safety regulations, these devices are safe for riders when proper etiquette and use is followed.

Visit us online to learn more about DOB’s Elevator Unit, which is also tasked with regulating the safe and code-compliant use of all amusement park rides throughout NYC.