We all know that today is Veterans Day but you may not know that next week is Elevator Escalator Safety Foundation National Safety Awareness Week (the name just rolls off the tongue). Since Metro has 588 escalators and 263 elevators it would seem to be a major player in this week’s observation.
Seriously though, this is probably a good time to remind everyone of some of the tips to remaining safe on the system’s “vertical transportation.”
On the escalators:
» Hold onto the handrail at all times.
» Never sit on an escalator.
» Never place wheelchairs, strollers or bicycles on escalators. Use the elevators.
» Never place excessive baggage on escalators. Use the elevators.
» Patrons should not crowd at the top or bottom of escalators.
» Always keep shoelaces tied.
» Never ride barefoot on an escalator.
» Never run down or run up escalators.
» Do not allow children to play on escalators.
When using the elevators:
» Always watch your step when entering and exiting an elevator.
» Do not try to stop elevator doors while they are closing.
» If the elevator doors do not open, press the “Call” button to speak to the station manager.
Just a reminder if you are heading out to work today: Metro is operating on a normal schedule even though it‚s a federal holiday. The key thing to remember is that this means parking in Metro lots will cost full fare.
Ted writes with an interesting issue: “For obvious reasons on the lead car of a Metro train, a swinging door is kept closed, securing the operator’s cabin from riders. The cars that follow also include an operator’s cabin. But since it’s unused, its swinging door is normally folded back, securing and locking the actual driver’s controls but exposing an additional seat for rider use. This also gives passengers access to an end door that can be opened in an emergency and, just as important, to one of the two red squawk boxes‚ with which they can communicate with the train operator in a pinch.
“But Metro personnel do not always open the unused operator cabins. This could be devastating in a catastrophe, since it effectively seals that end of the car. In a crisis, only the car’s middle doors and the opposite end door could be opened. And in the event of a criminal incident or medical emergency, the red box at the closed end of the car would not be available to alert the operator.”
I have not noticed that before but I would imagine that that is not standard procedure.
Blocking access to any such communication device to be used in an emergency would seem counterproductive and would be something that puts passengers at risk. The ability to communicate with the operator who may be several cars away could be invaluable in the event of an emergency.
