Elevator Safety

Elevators are incredibly safe and dependable, but a little care goes a long way. Here are some easy tips that will make your elevator rides smooth sailing—from boarding safely to keeping your cool in an emergency. Take Action. Think Safe.

Stay Safe!

Did You Know? There are tens of thousands of elevators moving millions of people every day. When it comes to incidents, most are related to unsafe passenger behaviour, such as:

  • Being distracted by their phone 
  • Running through closing doors 
  • Trying to stop doors that are closing 
  • Not paying attention to children as they enter or exit 
  • Trying to get out if the elevator suddenly stops 

Remember—elevators are safe if you use them safely!

Residential
Residential
Commercial
Commercial
Institutional
Institutional

Staying Safe When Boarding an Elevator 

  • Let exiting passengers leave the elevator before you try to board. 
  • If the elevator is full, wait for the next car instead of squeezing on.
  • Remember to stand clear of elevator doors.
  • Keep clothes and carry-ons away from the opening. 
  • Pay attention as you enter. The elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor. Hold children and pets firmly.
  • If you need the doors to stay open, push and hold the “DOOR OPEN” button, or have someone push it for you. Don’t try to stop closing doors.

Riding an Elevator Safely

  • If possible, stand next to the elevator wall and hold the handrail.
  • If the doors don’t open when the elevator stops, push the “DOOR OPEN” button. Don’t attempt to pry the doors.

Safely Exiting an Elevator

  • Exit immediately on your floor. Don’t wait for others behind you, and don’t push the people in front of you when exiting.
  • Pay attention as you exit. The elevator car may not be perfectly level with the floor.

Staying Safe in an Emergency

  • Never use an elevator if there’s a fire or another situation that could disrupt electrical services. Take the stairs instead.
  • If you’re on an elevator that stops between floors, don’t panic. Relax, get as comfortable as you can, and wait for help to arrive. You may find it inconvenient, but you’ll be safe.
  • If you’re stuck, try pushing the “DOOR OPEN” button. If the doors open completely at a floor, slowly and carefully exit the elevator. Be sure to pay attention—the elevator floor may not be completely level with the landing. Don’t exit if the doors don’t open completely.
  • Never try to climb out of a stalled elevator. Use the “ALARM” or “HELP” button, or the telephone or intercom to call for help.
  • In newer elevators, look for a phone button you can use to call someone for help. This will usually share your exact location with the person you are talking to. Don’t be alarmed if you can’t be heard or if the phone doesn’t seem to work, as some phones are designed to only receive calls.
  • If there has been a power failure, emergency lighting will come on. Stay calm.

TSSA keeps you safe

Ontario’s Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) regulates elevators in Ontario to ensure all devices conform to the Act and applicable regulations, codes and standards. This includes:  

  • Passenger elevators  
  • Freight elevators
  • Hand-powered elevators
  • Observation elevators
  • Sidewalk elevators
  • Temporary elevators
  • Limited use/application elevators
  • Dumbwaiters
  • Material and freight platform lifts
  • Lifts for people with physical disabilities
  • Man-lifts
  • Construction hoists
  • Incline lifts
  • Stage lifts, and
  • Parking garage lifts.

TSSA oversees elevator safety in:

  • Offices, apartment and condominium buildings
  • Shopping malls
  • Hospitals
  • Retirement and long-term care facilities, and
  • Other commercial and industrial settings

We conduct design reviews, issue licences, perform risk assessments, and conduct inspections. We also certify elevating device mechanics who perform installations, repairs, and maintenance for TSSA-registered contractors.       
TSSA maintains a Residential Elevator Availability Portal which you can use to view outage records reported to us. To learn more about elevator availability, visit the TSSA.

Reporting Safety Concerns

Report any accidents or concerns about the safety of an elevator to the building’s owner, operator or property manager. If you see anything that appears unsafe, you may also report it to TSSA—24 hours a day, 7 days a week—by calling 1-877-682-8772. Choose Option 1 to be connected to our incident hotline (managed by the Ontario Ministry of Environment and Energy’s Spills Action Centre). You may also report an incident to TSSA by email at ed-incident@tssa.org. If you witness an accident, call 911 and stay on the line to provide information about your exact location.   A Note About Home Elevators TSSA does not regulate home elevators. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) ensures that these devices meet codes for manufacturing, installation, and maintenance to protect the safety of the people who use them.

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