Escalator-related Consumer Accidents

 In recent years, there has been a significant number of escalator-related accidents in which consumers have either fallen from or been caught in an escalator, so consumers are advised to exercise caution when using an escalator.
 The Korea Consumer Agency (www.kca.go.kr) analyzed the database of 483 accidents which occurred between January 2010 and August 2012. According to the analysis, consistently high numbers of accidents have been reported each year: 115 accidents in 2012, 185 in 2011, and 183 in 2010.
 According to the report, the most vulnerable age group was children under 10 years of age, with 152 accidents (31.5%), followed by adults aged 60 years or older, with 136 accidents (28.2%), adults in their 30’s, with 42 accidents (8.7%), and those in their 50’s, with 50 accidents (8.3%). Since one of every two victims was either a child or a member of the oldest age group, i.e., age groups that are less able to respond to danger, it is strongly suggested that accident prevention programs be organized for those age groups.
 By location of accidents, the most dangerous locations were circulation markets like department and discount stores, with 138 accidents (28.6%), transportation facilities such as subway and train stations, with 96 accidents (19.9%), hospitals, with 45 accidents (9.3%), and business facilities like restaurants and hotels, with 37 accidents (7.7%).
  In terms of the frequency of bodily injury, heads and faces sustained the most injuries, with 180 accidents (37.3%), followed by legs and feet, with 160 accidents (33.1%), arms and hands, with73 accidents (15.1%), and the waist and pelvis, with 22 accidents (4.6%). 
 The KCA strongly recommended that extra precautions be taken in subway stations and other public places with regard to people aged 60 years or older and children under 10 years of age due to their vulnerability to this type of accident. Additionally, the KCA emphasized that quality and safety control procedures for elevators require a more detailed policy and greater precautions due to escalator malfunctions such as sudden stops or reverse operation.