GUIDE DOGS AND ESCALATORS: FINDING THE SAFEST METHOD OF TRAVEL

摘要

Guide dogs are at risk of a paw trapping injury if walked on moving escalators. Alternatives to escalator use for Guide Dog Owners travelling on London Underground (LU) include carrying the dog (as required by local by-laws), having the escalator stopped, finding a lift or stairs, or travelling to an alternative station, all of which entail significant practical difficulties. This study uses questionnaire data of accident rates, and risk assessment groups with guide dog owners to investigate the relative risks associated with the aforementioned methods of using or avoiding escalators. Task analysis is used to compare risks involved in walking trained and untrained dogs on escalators. REBA, and the NIOSH lifting equation are used to evaluate the technique of carrying the dog on the moving escalator. As a result of this research, it is recommended that current practices are revised.