Comments on: Escalator Risk Assessment

By: Liam

Liam — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:56:01 +0000

I hold onto the rails for fear of falling. Well, maybe not ‘fear’ as much. To prevent falling. That’s a better description.

I think the rails just feel dirty because they are soft rubber and, especially in the heat, have a warm, slimy feel to them.

Still, pocket size hand-sanitizing lotion should sort that out I walk from the escalator.

By: Conall

Conall — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:45:49 +0000

Did “Myth busters” ever do a study on this? Are there actually more germs on escalator hand rails than most other public surfaces?

By: Ninja

Ninja — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:00:34 +0000

If you’re transferring at 59th Street (particularly to/from the Lexington line) there is a crazy tall and steep escalator (in the summer it’s like descending into Hell), and I always hang onto that one. Otherwise it depends.

I concur with antfaber; don’t be a sissy. Washing your hands is much better than taking a header down the stairs.

By: antfaber

antfaber — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:27:13 +0000

You obviously have better balance than I do and/or the escalators where you are aren’t as jerky. Usually the handrail & steps are synced well, but even if they aren’t, you just grip it loosely so the rail slides, but if you get unsteady you can grip it to regain your balance. As for germs, only weak, puny, inferior people have to worry about them.

By: Meaghan

Meaghan — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 14:23:19 +0000

I NEVER hold the handrail — way too many germs on there!!!