Elevating Devices
Annual State of Safety 2024
State of Safety: Elevating Devices
We oversee the safety of elevators, escalators, moving walkways, dumbwaiters, lifts, and construction hoists in accordance with the Safety Standards Act and the Elevating Devices Safety Regulation.
76
incidents reported to us in 2024
33
injuries reported to us in 2024
3,166
assessments completed in 2024
Proposed Code Changes Keeps Elevating Safety Top of Mind
Throughout the years, we have seen a number of elevating incidents that could have been prevented. Part of our oversight to improving elevating safety is by addressing codes and standards as well as influencing better behaviour.
In 2024, we proposed a revision to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) A17.1 code, addressing carts on escalators and moving walks. Along with our industry partners, we recommend adding more signage to caution and educate users on the dangers of taking strollers or carts on inclined moving walks. Additionally, we are requesting the inclusion of inclined moving walks to certification requirements for drive machine brakes and motor-controlled dynamic braking. While these requirements are defined for escalators in the latest Code edition, they are currently not required for inclined moving walks.
We recommend adding more signage to caution and educate users on the dangers of taking strollers or carts on inclined moving walks.
Concurrently, we also supported a revision to ASME A17.1 - Requirement 6.1.6.8 regarding escalator smoke detectors. We would like to clarify the requirements for: remote stopping of escalators during emergencies; connecting escalator smoke detectors to the central fire alarm system; and preventing people from using escalators to enter buildings or floors against the direction of egress in emergencies.
Given the number of related incidents throughout the years, we believe that changes in future code editions will be beneficial to the safety of inclined moving walks.
Incidents
Seventy-six incidents were reported to us in 2024, a 21% increase compared to the previous year. Of these 76, 12 were ranked as “insignificant” and 13 were ranked as “minor.” Insignificant and minor incidents commonly involve slips and trips, arms and hands pinched in doors, or clothing items, including shoes, getting caught in elevating equipment. Ten incidents were ranked as “moderate” and seven were ranked as “major.” Many of these incidents are still “under assessment as our reporting process was revised to include more comprehensive analysis.”
Elevating Devices Incidents by Year (2020-2024)
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Injuries
In 2024, 33 injuries were reported in the elevating devices technology, a 30% decrease compared to 2023, although it is important to note that injuries from reports that are under assessment are not yet reflected in our data.
We receive injury reports and descriptions from operators or first responders at the time of, or immediately following, the incident. Injuries may develop after the initial reports were made to us and the long-term effects of a resultant injury may not be recorded as part of our investigation.
Elevating Devices Injuries by Year (2020-2024)
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Permits
In 2024, we issued 2,074 installation permits and saw 28,134 active operating permits in the elevating devices technology. The number of installation permits increased by 4% while the number of operating permits decreased by 1%.
Elevating Devices Installation Permits by Year (2020-2024)
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Elevating Devices Operating Permits by Year (2020-2024)
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Assessments
Our safety officers completed 3,166 assessments in 2024. Of this total, 2,686 were in-person assessments and 480 were remote assessments.
The results of in-person assessments included: 1,321 “passed,” 1,032 “conditional pass, and 333 “failed." The results of remote assessments included: 456 “passed,” six “conditional pass,” and 18 “failed.”
Learn more about how we define these assessment outcomes.
Elevating Devices Compliance of Duty Holder's Work in 2024 (Physical Assessment)
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Elevating Devices Compliance of Duty Holder's Work in 2024 (Remote Assessment)
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