Stuck in a lift? What to do, and what happens next
Being stuck in a lift is unpleasant, but it is rarely dangerous. Modern lifts are designed to stop safely when something goes wrong. In most cases the lift has done exactly what it should. It has stopped, and it is waiting for a trained technician.
This article is in two parts. The first is for anyone who finds themselves stuck in a lift. The second is for building owners and managers who need to respond to an entrapment and make sure it does not keep happening.
If you are stuck in a lift
1. Stay calm
You are safe inside the car. Lifts have multiple safety systems, including brakes and safety gear, that hold the car in place. The car will not fall. There is also enough air. Lift cars are not airtight.
2. Press the alarm or emergency phone button
Most lifts have an alarm button or an emergency phone, usually marked with a bell or phone symbol. Press it and hold it for a few seconds. In many lifts it connects to a monitoring centre or the lift contractor. Tell them:
- The building name and address
- Which lift you are in, if you know
- How many people are in the car
- Whether anyone is unwell, injured or needs medication
If the phone does not work, use your mobile to call building management or the number displayed in the car. If anyone needs urgent medical help, call 000.
3. Try the door open button once
Sometimes the lift has stopped at a floor and the doors simply have not opened. Press the door open button. If nothing happens, leave it.
4. Do not force the doors
Do not try to prise the doors apart. Even if the car looks level with a floor, it may not be. There could be a gap to the open shaft below. Forcing doors can also damage the door equipment and make the rescue slower.
5. Never climb out
Do not try to climb through the roof hatch or out of a partly open door. Most serious injuries linked to lift entrapments happen when people try to rescue themselves or others without training.
6. Wait for the rescue
Help is on the way once the alarm has been raised. Stay in contact if you can. Sit down if you feel unwell.
What the rescue looks like
A trained lift technician from the building’s lift contractor will usually attend. In some cases emergency services may attend as well, especially if someone is unwell.
The technician will first make the lift safe by isolating the power. They will then either move the car to the nearest floor using the controls or a manual release, or open the doors if the car is already level. You will be told what is happening before anything moves. Do not step out until the technician tells you it is safe.
How long does it usually take?
It depends on where the building is, the time of day and the response time agreed in the building’s maintenance contract. City buildings are usually reached faster than regional ones. The technician needs time to travel to site and to make the lift safe before releasing anyone.
For building owners and managers
An elevator that is stuck with someone inside is a priority. Your response on the day, and what you do afterwards, both matter.
Have an entrapment response plan
Every building with a lift should have a written plan. It should cover:
- Who receives the alarm call, both during and outside business hours
- The lift contractor’s emergency number and agreed response time
- How to keep contact with the people trapped until help arrives
- When to call 000
- Who records the event and reports it
Test the emergency phone or alarm regularly. An alarm that rings an unattended number is not an alarm.
Leave the rescue to the lift contractor
Building staff should not attempt to release people from a lift unless they are trained and authorised to do so. The safe course is to keep in contact with the passengers, reassure them and wait for the lift technician or emergency services.
Who carries which obligations during an entrapment is covered in more detail in our article who is responsible when someone is trapped in a lift.
Reporting
Work health and safety duties apply to lifts in workplaces and in many other buildings. Some incidents may need to be reported to the regulator. Requirements vary by state and territory, so check the rules that apply to your building and get advice if you are unsure.
Keep a record of every entrapment
Record the date, time, lift, number of people trapped, how long they were trapped, and the cause reported by the contractor. Ask for the contractor’s service report after each attendance. Over time this record tells you far more than any single incident.
Our lift and escalator safety guide for building managers covers the wider set of records and checks worth keeping.
When repeated entrapments mean a deeper problem
One entrapment can happen to any lift. Repeated entrapments on the same lift are a warning sign. Common causes include:
- Worn door equipment or door faults
- Controller or drive faults on ageing equipment
- Poor levelling at floors
- Power supply problems
- Maintenance that is not keeping up with the condition of the equipment
If the same fault keeps coming back, ask the contractor what the root cause is and what they will do to fix it. If the answers are vague, an independent lift audit can assess the equipment condition, the quality of maintenance, and whether repairs or modernisation should be planned.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stuck lift fall?
Lifts are designed with several independent safety systems, including brakes and safety gear, to stop the car from falling. When a lift stops unexpectedly, it is usually these systems doing their job.
Will I run out of air if I am stuck in an elevator?
No. Lift cars are not airtight and have ventilation. There is no risk of running out of air.
Should I try to open the doors myself?
No. Press the door open button once. If the doors do not open, wait for the technician. Forcing the doors or climbing out is the main cause of serious injury during entrapments.
What should a building manager do after an entrapment?
Record the incident, get the contractor’s service report, check whether it needs to be reported under the WHS rules in your state, and watch for repeat faults on the same lift.
Need help with lift reliability?
If your building is dealing with repeated entrapments or you want an independent view of your lift’s condition and maintenance, TLC can help. We are independent and do not sell, install or maintain lifts. Contact us or call (07) 5509 0100.