If an Accident Occurs on a Seoul Subway Escalator, Press This

"Emergency Stop Switch Prevents Bigger Accidents"
Seoul Metro Guides Citizens on How to Use Emergency Stop Switches

#Earlier this year, an accident occurred in which a passenger's clothing got caught in a gap in an escalator at a subway station. Fortunately, a station employee spotted it, stopped the escalator manually, and was able to prevent a secondary accident.

Seoul Metro has begun actively informing citizens of the location and usage of emergency stop switches in order to prevent secondary damage in the event of an escalator accident.

Guidance image for the production and attachment of stickers near destination information displays and escalators. Provided by Seoul Metro.

According to Seoul Metro, over the past five years from 2021 through this year, there have been a total of 239 accidents such as falls and entrapments on subway escalators (based on cases handled through commercial liability insurance). This amounts to an annual average of 48 cases and a monthly average of 4 cases. Because escalator accidents often lead to chain accidents, stopping the equipment immediately after an accident occurs is the most effective way to prevent secondary damage.

Subway escalators are equipped with an "emergency stop switch" so that anyone can stop the equipment in an emergency. These switches are mainly installed at the upper and lower ends and on the sides of the entry points, and some escalators also have them near the middle handrail. They are generally easy to find, as they are red buttons clearly marked "Emergency Stop".

The method of use is simple. When an accident or dangerous situation occurs, first alert nearby passengers to the situation, then press the red button, and the escalator will stop immediately. After that, you should report the accident to station staff.

A Seoul Metro official said, "Any citizen who witnesses an accident can press the emergency stop switch," and asked, "Please take proactive action to protect lives."

However, the emergency stop switch must be used only when an actual accident occurs. Stopping the equipment without any reason can obstruct operations and, due to the sudden stop, may cause passengers to fall and trigger another accident, so caution is required.

Kim Kibyeong, Head of the Technology Division at Seoul Metro, said, "Escalator accidents can lead to serious damage in a very short moment, so in dangerous situations, please do not hesitate to use the emergency stop switch," adding, "We will continue to strengthen safety promotion and facility inspections to prevent safety accidents at multi-use facilities such as escalators."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.