What is the key task to perform on a malfunctioning elevator or entrapment on an escalator?

What is the key task to perform on a malfunctioning elevator or entrapment on an escalator?

• A. Ventilate the area
• B. Lock out / tag out
• C. Shut down power at the main switch
• D. Activate emergency communications

Answer: (B)

Isolating the elevator’s energy sources is the primary safety step because the greatest risk during a malfunction or entrapment is unintended movement or restart while rescuers are working. Elevators and escalators can be powered by electricity or hydraulics, and a restart could trap or injure someone or compromise a rescue. Lock out and tag out provides a formal, verifiable way to prevent re-energizing while the rescue is planned and executed: a lock physically prevents the switch or disconnect from being turned back on, and a tag warns that the equipment must not be energized. This approach is more reliable than simply shutting off power at the main switch, since someone could inadvertently reset or bypass a simple shutdown. Emergency communications should be used to coordinate the response, but the essential safeguard is ensuring the equipment cannot be powered until it is safe to proceed. Once rescue is complete and a authorized person removes the lock and tag, normal operations can resume.

Isolating the elevator’s energy sources is the primary safety step because the greatest risk during a malfunction or entrapment is unintended movement or restart while rescuers are working. Elevators and escalators can be powered by electricity or hydraulics, and a restart could trap or injure someone or compromise a rescue. Lock out and tag out provides a formal, verifiable way to prevent re-energizing while the rescue is planned and executed: a lock physically prevents the switch or disconnect from being turned back on, and a tag warns that the equipment must not be energized. This approach is more reliable than simply shutting off power at the main switch, since someone could inadvertently reset or bypass a simple shutdown. Emergency communications should be used to coordinate the response, but the essential safeguard is ensuring the equipment cannot be powered until it is safe to proceed. Once rescue is complete and a authorized person removes the lock and tag, normal operations can resume.