Schindler Lifts Safe-T-Rider Program - caring for the community

Lifts and escalators are among the safest forms of transportation in the world. The Safe-T-Rider program was created to help keep it that way, through education of the public.

Launched in Australia by the Australian Elevator Association (AEA), the Safe-T-Rider program educates young children about the safe riding rules for lifts, escalators and moving walkways. It has been used successfully in shopping centre's throughout Australia for the past two years.

AEA President, Norm Argent explains, "Under the Occupational Health & Safety Act any organisation which has lifts and escalators installed on their premises has a duty of care to ensure that all risks and hazards are minimised. Although lifts and escalators are subject to regular vigorous safety checks it is also necessary to educate the end user about the potential for accidents if the equipment is incorrectly used."

The Safe-T-Rider program concentrates on educating parents and their children about possible risks and hazards with a series of safety rules. The facilitator of the course is provided with a complete interactive educational package to capture the children's interest.

Using the Safe-T-Rider mascot, who is a cat that 'raps', children are guided through positive safety images in an eight-minute video. The video is supplemented by an activity booklet to reinforce the message. These also allow the children to take the information away to share with others in their family.

At the conclusion of the course, the facilitator can use the Safe-T-Rider Escalator Behaviour Observation Sheet to ensure the children are using the lifts and escalators correctly.