Mandatory Safety Barriers at Escalator Handrails

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether the Ministry will consider requiring all building owners to erect vertical barriers along the handrails of escalators as a safety measure; and (b) if not, what other safety measures are in place to protect people especially children from injuries or fatal accidents as a result of falling over the handrails.

The Senior Minister of State for National Development (Mr Desmond Lee) (for the Minister for National Development):Mdm Speaker, escalators in Singapore are designed and installed according to the prevailing Singapore Standards Code of Practice. The Code includes several safety requirements to reduce the risk of users falling over handrails. For instance, balustrades have to be designed to discourage users from climbing across the handrails. Handrails also have to be of a certain height. Furthermore, the Building Control Act requires safety barriers of at least 1m at escalator landings to prevent users from falling through the gaps between two escalators. These requirements are in line with international standards across Europe and the US.

Apart from design and safety requirements, escalator users also have a role to play in ensuring their own safety and the safety of others. Holding onto handrails, not getting distracted by mobile devices, and taking extra care when carrying heavy or bulky items, are some of the good practices that will reduce the risk of accidents. Young children should also always be closely supervised when they are on the escalator. BCA is working with building owners and operators to raise public awareness on safe and proper usage of escalators, such as by displaying posters on safety tips.

I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I understand there are safety measures in place, but I think some of us may have watched the footage of a grandmother who lost her footing on the escalator when she was carrying her grandchild and then dropped the grandchild over the handrail. Can I just check with the Senior Minister of State what safety measures we have in place to prevent this kind of accidents from happening?

I think they are in my answer earlier. The escalators have to comply with certain safety standards. User behaviour is also a major part of incidents that occur on escalators. In many buildings where there are escalators, there will also likely be lifts which people can use if they feel that there is a certain risk to them and others around them.