DOSH wants firm action on rising escalator mishaps

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) said the rising number of escalator mishaps involving young children calls for firm action as most of these cases are caused by parental negligence.
DOSH director-general Datuk Mohtar Musri explained that such a move is necessary in order to bring down the number of escalator mishaps which occur every year.
"From 2011 until now, there are 38 cases of escalator accidents involving children reported to the department with three of those cases resulting in lost of lives and five cases resulted in permanent disability to the victim.
"To make matter worse, most of the cases are due to the parents negligence for not closely monitoring the whereabouts of their children or they simply allow them to use the escalator without any supervision," Mohtar told reporters after launching the state level Escalator Safety Awareness Campaign 2016.
Asked if the department can actually take action against these irresponsible parents, Mohtar said currently their hands are tied but under there are provisions in law that allow different ministries to initiate action.
"Enforcing or taking action against them does not come under the purview of DOSH as our main focus is to ensure all the escalators and lifts are safe to be utilised by the public.
"However, DOSH welcomes and support if any individuals or ministries that could come up with any stricter action to curb the increase of escalator accident," he said.
Mohtar also pointed out that all escalators installed in commercial buildings or premises such as shopping complexes and public transports facilities, need to have a Certification of Fitness (CF) issued by his department before they can be utilised.