The Department of Building’s recently issued a press release launching its elevator safety campaign, “Stay Safe. Stay Put.” The campaign aims to remind New Yorkers to stay inside an elevator should it get stuck as it is one of the safest place to be. Just press the emergency button, relax and wait for the coming help. More individuals have been hurt by trying to get out a stalled elevator than by simply exercising patience and waiting for their rescue.

So DOB reminds, if you’re stuck inside a stalled elevator – “Stay Safe. Stay Put.” Building’s Commissioner Rick Chandler reminds us that elevators makes billions of trips annually and they are generally very safe, although we need to exercise common sense and ensure that it is kept safe. Don’t overload it and should you get stuck, don’t panic, ring the alarm, relax and wait for the help to arrive.

Over the last 10 years’ statistics showed a steady decline for injuries sustained by elevator passengers from 105 in 2007 to only 51 in 2015. There are more than 71,000 elevators in the city and these elevators are generally very safe. However, 2 incidents last year highlight the need to remind everyone of the dangers of trying to escape stalled elevators when 2 men died trying to do just that on separate incidents.

Guidelines for Elevator Safety:

• Check to see if the elevator and the floor are level with each other when entering or exiting the car
• If the elevator stops more than 9 in. from the landing, don’t exit
• Avoid using any body part when trying to keep the elevator doors open, instead push the door open button to keep the elevator doors open
• Don’t lean on elevator doors
• Ensure ties or scarves are clear of closing elevator doors
• Patience is a virtue, don’t overload the elevator. Overloading the elevator can cause it to get stalled
• Don’t jump inside the elevator cars, doing so will misalign the elevator and this is also a cause for the elevator to get stalled or stuck

DOB’s Elevator Unit: A Background
With the countless skyscrapers and high rise buildings within New York, elevators are a regular part of every New Yorkers life. Improved technology minimized the risks involved and we might note that only a few people are aware of the dangers involved when this equipment is used improperly.

As was mentioned elevators are a part of our lives and we need to ensure that each unit is safe, provides reliable service and adheres to all lawful standards. The DOB’s Elevator Unit ensures all vertical transports like elevators, escalators, dumbwaiters, wheelchair lifts, personnel hoists, amusement rides, conveyors, material lifts and the likes are kept up to par.

Inspection is done at least twice a year, by the building owner and by the DOB. Once every 5 years, building owners are required to conduct intensive elevator inspections to ensure elevator safety including load test to make sure that the elevator is still able to hold its noted rated capacity, the results are then reported to the DOB.

In the end, riding an elevator is one of the safest forms of transportation, not only in New York but all over the world and most of the time these elevators are well maintained and kept safe at all times through inspections and maintenance works but should you get stuck, remember, “stay safe, stay put.”