Zulkifli (second left) and Mandela (right) holding the safety sign for the escalator.
KOTA KINABALU: No accident cases involving elevators and escalators in the state were reported this year.
However, Department of Occupational Safety and Health Sabah (DOSH) director Zulkifli Yahaya said according to a statistic from the department, a lot of accident cases for elevators and escalators were due to consumers’ negligence, especially children.
Therefore, he urged for parents to be aware of their children, especially when they are around elevators or escalators and to never let the children play around such area.
Zulkifli was met after he launched the Sabah State Elevator and Escalator Safety Expedition (LIFE) 2018 at ITCC Mall, Penampang here yesterday.
The event is organized annually by DOSH and this year it is organized in collaboration with International Technology and Commercial Centre (ITCC) Mall and Dover Elevators (M) Sdn Bhd.
Zulkifli said that the event was to raise public awareness on safety and precautions when using elevators and escalators.
Earlier in his speech, he stated that this safety campaign was one of the programs under OSHMP 2020 under Strategy 3, Program 3, namely the Social Responsibility of DOSH.
He also said that there are 909 elevators and 307 active escalators around the state as of year 2017 which DOSH had constantly examined every 15 months.
“DOSH also monitors and ensures that the premises owner has appointed the competent firms and person recognized by DOSH to carry out maintenance work on the escalators.
“The premises owner shall ensure that each elevator and escalator installed in the premises are maintained on a scheduled maintenance and ensure that they are always operating in good condition without risking the safety of users.
“The elevators and escalators are safe as the design is in accordance with international standards which is recognized by DOSH. The design of elevator engine is checked and approved by DOSH before installation.
“Therefore, it is the responsibility of the premises owner to hold a safety campaign as provided under Section 17 of the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994 which is to provide knowledge and awareness on the proper usage of the elevator and escalator to the visitors of the shopping center,” he said.
Also present at the event was Sabanilam Group General Manager Caesar Mandela Malakun.