Elevator Entrapment Procedures

Purpose

To establish specific procedures for aiding and assisting in the removal of passengers who become entrapped in inoperable campus elevators and/or any elevator concern that could result in potential injury.

Every elevator on the university campus is under a service contract with an elevator maintenance company for complete maintenance and repair. The company is required to have qualified mechanics available for callback service 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Procedures

• All staff should be cognizant of the need for safety in all aspects of elevator operations. Generally, elevator rescues should be performed under the direct supervision of the elevator service company’s repair technicians. This procedure increases the safety factor and reduces the college’s liability. During entrapment incidents, should any emergency situation develop, such as fire or emergency medical conditions for a passenger on the stalled elevator, the local fire department will be called for immediate response.
  If people are trapped inside an elevator, they should activate the elevator emergency phone to notify the Morgan State University Police Department. MSUPD dispatch will send assistance.

• Morgan State employees' primary responsibility in rendering aid to passengers in a stalled elevator is to ensure that all safety considerations have been considered. Reassuring passengers and assessing the situation for potential emergencies. This includes contacting the Office of Safety, Health, and Environment at 443-885-3740 or Work Control at 443-885-3320.

• If you are outside an elevator and have knowledge of someone trapped inside the elevator, contact the University Police Department at (443) 885-3103.

1. 1. Do not attempt rescue
   2. Let the passengers know help is in route
   3. When reporting an elevator failure, provide the following:
      1. Caller’s name
      2. Location (e.g., building, floor)
      3. Problem (e.g., stalled, stuck between floors, people trapped)
      4. Number of people trapped
      5. Any injuries, life-threatening conditions, or additional information
2. The Morgan State University Police Department will follow their internal departmental procedures, which include:
   1. Dispatch a University Police Officer to respond to the call
   2. Initiate an emergency service request via the OSHE department for an elevator technician to be contacted
   3. Communicate to the trapped persons inside the elevator that help is on the way
   4. Ascertain if there are any injuries, severe sense of panic, or life-threatening conditions inside the elevator.
   5. Contact the Baltimore City Fire Department after normal operational hours or during medical emergencies.
   6. May request assistance from other services such as fire/ambulance if necessary
3. Office of Safety, Health, & Environment staff will:
   1. Contact the elevator contractor for an emergency service request and determine the estimated time of arrival
   2. Dispatch appropriate OSHE staff to the scene
   3. After normal work hours, contact MSUPD or 911 for cases of emergencies
4. If the elevator service company is available and can respond within 30 minutes, no attempt will be made to remove passengers unless by trained OSHE staff or during an emergency condition.
5. If the elevator service company cannot respond within 30 minutes, college personnel may consider assisting passengers from the elevator – provided that the following safety procedures are in place:
   1. OSHE staff with the appropriate skills may reset the elevator once to assist in bringing it to a floor
   2. When using the door unlocking device, open the door only enough to determine the elevator's location. The car floor must be no more than three feet above the landing; otherwise, no attempt will be made to remove passengers. The “skirt” below the elevator car must be in a position to prevent someone from slipping down the elevator shaft.
   3. The elevator must have power disconnected in the control room
   4. Adequate numbers of personnel must be available to assist passengers out of the stalled car. If the car is more than 12 inches above the level of the floor, a stepladder must be available.
   5. Request the elevator passenger(s) to set the “emergency stop” switch within the car to the “stop” position (if the car is so equipped)
   6. After assisting passengers from the elevator, the elevator doors will be closed, and the elevator will be posted as out of order (unless normal function is restored)