Be alert when children wearing soft rubber shoes ride escalators - DOSH

Parents and guardians should be alert when children wearing sandals or soft-soled rubber shoes ride escalators as such footwear can easily be caught between its steps.

In a statement here Wednesday, the Department of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) said ensuring safety and safe use of the escalator was the responsibility of the escalator owner and its user.

"The responsibility of the owner is to ensure every escalator installed on their premises are serviced according to the maintenance schedule set by the manufacturer, and that they are always in good working condition.

"The responsibility of the user is to be cautious while riding on the escalator, including monitoring their children and ensuring they were always in stable position," it said.

The statement was issued following the escalator mishap at KL Sentral on Feb 8, involving a four-year-old.

From 2011 to May 2015, 31 accidents involving escalators were reported to DOSH.