Is a Small Screw to Blame for Big Elevator Accidents?

On August 26, 2023, the elevator fall accident in Furong District, Changsha, Hunan, although no one was killed, the tragic fact that three people were injured in the car, even after two years, still rings like a warning bell in our ears. This Gen2core model elevator accident, manufactured by Otis Elevator (China) Co., Ltd., traced back to its source. It was because the screw that triggered the safety clamp electrical safety device rod was difficult to tighten due to limited assembly space, and the safety device failed after loosening.

A small screw, seemingly insignificant, has become a "time bomb" that endangers life. This not only exposes the possible defects in the product design link, but also highlights the serious lack of elevator maintenance work. If the maintenance personnel can be more meticulous and professional in daily maintenance, and timely discover and tighten the loose screw, perhaps this accident can be nipped in the bud.

As an indispensable vertical transportation tool in modern buildings, elevators are closely connected with our lives. Whether going to work, shopping, or going home, people use elevators frequently every day. However, once the elevator maintenance is not in place, various potential risks will quietly breed. At the least, it will cause elevator failures, affecting travel efficiency, and at the worst, like the accident in Changsha, endangering the lives of passengers.

The State Administration for Market Regulation interviewed Otis and asked it to recall the same model of elevators, which is an important measure to ensure safety. But relying solely on recalls is not enough. The more important thing is to strengthen elevator maintenance. Maintenance units should establish a strict and standardized maintenance system, improve the professional quality and sense of responsibility of maintenance personnel, and regularly, comprehensively, and carefully check every part of the elevator.

Only when the whole society pays attention to elevator maintenance and eliminates safety hazards from the source can every elevator ride become a safe journey and truly protect the lives of the people.