Debated in Parliament on 7 Mar 2025.
Ms Joan Pereira asked the Minister for National Development in each year of the last three years (a) how many children under the age of 12 have been injured in accidents involving their foot being trapped in escalators; (b) whether any of these accidents have led to permanent disabilities; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider additional safety measures to prevent and minimise similar accidents from recurring in the future.
Between 2022 to 2024, an average of 30 incidents of children under the age of 12 getting trapped while using escalators were reported to the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) per year, with most cases involving footwear entrapment. About one-third of the total number of incidents in the past three years involved hospital treatment. BCA is not aware of cases that have led to permanent disability.
Escalators in Singapore are subject to safety standards, which are benchmarked against those of other jurisdictions. BCA has assessed that most cases arose because of user behaviour, such as standing too close to the edges of escalator steps while wearing rubber footwear. BCA has been partnering stakeholders, including mall owners and escalator manufacturers, to conduct roadshows and workshops to educate the public on the safe use of escalators. BCA has also stepped up outreach efforts through the media and distribution of escalator safety education materials to building owners, who have displayed safety signages at escalators. With these efforts, we hope that parents will also educate their young children on the safe use of escalators and ensure that they stand away from the edges and avoid running or playing on escalators.
PAPERCUTS