| Lift Insurance | |
| Definition | • Lift – “lift” means an equipment designed to safely carry passengers or goods or both, that moves between guide rails in a substantially vertical direction, and equipped with hoisting and lowering mechanism with electric traction or hydraulic drive serving defined landing levels, and is suspended by ropes or belts or jack. • Escalator – “Escalator” means a power-driven, inclined continuous moving stairway used for raising or lowering persons in which the user carrying surface, i.e. steps remain horizontal. • Moving Walk – “Moving walk” means a power-driven installation for the conveyance of persons or passengers in which the user carrying surface remains parallel to its direction of motion and is uninterrupted. |
| Common Injuries Seen on Escalators, Lifts & Moving Walks | Lifts are a highly useful part of everyday life. When used properly, elevators are a safe and easy way to travel between floors; however, there are some risks involved with using lifts and escalators. • Rough Landings and Sudden Stops – In a situation where the elevator unit stops suddenly and forcefully, it can cause those inside to thrash about. This may result in falls, neck injuries or back injuries. • Clothing Caught in the Escalator Belt – One of the most common accidents that occur with the use of escalators is if fingers or clothing becomes caught in the belt. In some cases, a person’s shoestring may be captured in the grate, causing an injury. The majority of escalator injuries include hand and foot injuries, such as sprains, amputations and lacerations. • Fall from an Escalator – Falls from escalators may occur if the unit stops moving suddenly. This can cause a person to sway and lose their balance. • Doors of Elevators Closing on Extremities – The elevator door are supposed to open with even a small bit of resistance. However, a malfunction may cause the door to close on someone’s arm, hand, foot or leg, trapping it there. This can cause broken bones, amputations and crush injuries. • Getting Caught: The most serious, and fear inducing escalator risk, accounting for around 20% of injuries, is being caught in between the bottom or top of an escalator and sidewall. This is a particular risk for small children, as they can get their hands, shoes, clothing caught in the moving parts of an escalator. When riding an escalator of lift you should always make sure all clothing stays away from any moving mechanisms. |
| Status of lift related laws in India | • Currently in India, each state has its own lift laws, some archaic, some upgraded, each with different norms. • Only ten states issue licence for lift operations. • Lift insurance (third party liability) is mandatory in five states for obtaining the licence. • In these states for mishap cases, victims will be eligible for insurance compensation. • With rapid urbanisation & development we may expect similar laws from other states also. |
| Coverage’s under Lift Insurance (Liability Cover) | • Liability for third party injury including death. • Loss/damage to third party property (not carried in the lift). • Loss/damage to wearing apparel/personal effects of any third party. |
