Stay put in lift if it gets stuck, say safety experts
The Star Online, 19 July 2013
PETALING JAYA: People trapped in a lift should never attempt to force open the door or escape, advised safety experts.
A lift safety expert, known only as Lee, said they should instead press the alarm bell to alert the building management and remain in the lift.
“Never attempt to force open the doors to escape,” he said.
Lifts, said Lee, were designed to have enough ventilation and there was no need to panic or worry about not being able to breathe.
“As long as you are inside the lift, you will be safe,” he said when contacted here yesterday.
He was commenting on an accident on Wednesday, during which Year 5 student Khairul Amir Azri Lani was crushed to death when he tried to climb out of a stuck elevator at the Desa Tun Razak apartments.
Khairul Amir had decided to climb out of the lift, which suddenly came to a stop between the second and third floors, after being stuck for 45 minutes.
However, he had only managed to stick his head out of the gap between the top of the elevator and the third floor when it suddenly started to make its ascent.
Khairul Amir, who could not free himself from the gap quickly, died after he was crushed by the moving lift.
Lift operators, said Lee, were required by the Factory and Machinery Act 1967 to conduct maintenance on lifts at least once a month.
Operators, he said, needed to show proof of maintenance and service to inspectors from the Occupational Safety and Health Department who would carry out annual checks on the safety of lifts in buildings.
Another lift safety engineer, who only wanted to be known as Seah, 41, said it was important not to panic if one was trapped in a lift.
“Even if there is a power outage, lifts are designed to have emergency light which is required, by the law, to last for a minimum of two hours,” he said.
Seah said those who were trapped could attempt to press the buttons of any other floor to see if the lift could still move.
“If the doors open, check to see if it is on level with the floor before trying to get out. If it is not on level and stops halfway between two floors, it is best to remain in the lift until you get help,” he said.
