An analysis of escalator-related injuries in metro stations in China, 2013-2015

In order to reduce the probability and severity of escalator-related injuries and enhance the safety of passengers, this study analyzed 950 escalator-related injuries in Guangzhou metro stations to identify the characteristics and the risk factors associated with escalator-related injuries in China. The data extracted from Management Information System of Guangzhou Metro covers the site and time of the accident, age and gender of the victims, escalator condition and injury information. The results from the statistical analysis indicated that the majority of the escalator-related injuries was caused by failing to stand firm (287 cases, 30.2%), passengers carrying out other tasks (214 cases, 22.5%), not holding the handrail (168 cases, 17.7%) and unhealthy passengers (18 cases, 9.3%). Age was associated with all factors except for need for an ambulance and the distribution law of these factors differed with age groups. Elderly passengers (aged 66 years and above) accounted for the highest proportion of all injuries (49.1%), and failing to stand firm (18.63%) was the main cause of escalator-related injuries of elderly passengers. The most common mechanism of injury for all age groups was a fall, accounting for (51.0%) injuries. Proportion of injuries caused by a fall increased with age, whereas injuries attributed to entrapment decreased. Female passengers (65.9%) were more likely to be involved escalator-related injuries than male passengers (34.1%), while male passengers were more likely to have accidents caused by unhealthy physical condition than female passengers. These results based on the analysis of current accident data can be used to help metro operation corporation develop effective injury prevention measures and document the need for continued improvement of escalator safety in metro stations.