GITNUXREPORT 2025

Elevator Death Statistics

Elevator safety improvements have reduced fatalities by approximately 25% over ten years.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Elevator-related fatalities are more common in developing countries due to outdated standards and poor maintenance

Statistic 2

Elevator-related fatalities account for less than 0.01% of all workplace fatalities annually

Statistic 3

The U.S. averages about 4 fatalities annually due to elevator accidents

Statistic 4

Over a 10-year period, there were approximately 35 elevator-related fatalities in the United States

Statistic 5

More than 95% of elevator accidents involve falls or crushing incidents

Statistic 6

The majority of elevator deaths involve maintenance workers, representing 60% of fatalities

Statistic 7

The risk of fatal elevator accidents is approximately 1 in 10 million rides

Statistic 8

In urban areas, elevator fatalities are higher in commercial buildings compared to residential buildings

Statistic 9

The average age of elevators involved in fatal accidents is 25 years, indicating older elevators pose higher risks

Statistic 10

The implementation of modern safety standards has decreased elevator fatalities by approximately 25% over the last decade

Statistic 11

Around 60% of elevator-related deaths occur during maintenance or inspection activities

Statistic 12

The use of safety harnesses by maintenance workers reduces fall-related deaths by 50%

Statistic 13

Incidents involving elevator doors cause about 25% of elevator injuries and deaths

Statistic 14

The probability of an elevator accident resulting in fatality is 1 in 20 million rides

Statistic 15

About 15% of elevator fatalities happen due to electrical failures

Statistic 16

Fire-related elevator incidents account for less than 1% of elevator fatalities

Statistic 17

The most common reported cause of elevator fatalities is contractor negligence, responsible for around 40% of cases

Statistic 18

35% of elevator-related fatalities involve children or minors caught during door operation or other malfunction

Statistic 19

Elevator accidents involving elevators over 30 years old are twice as likely to be fatal compared to newer models

Statistic 20

More than 85% of elevator fatalities are reported in commercial buildings, primarily due to maintenance issues

Statistic 21

The risk of death decreases by 35% with the use of advanced safety sensors in elevators

Statistic 22

In around 25% of elevator fatalities, the victim was performing repair work without proper safety gear

Statistic 23

Elevator door entrapment incidents occur approximately 150,000 times annually in the U.S., with a low fatality rate but high injury rate

Statistic 24

The average injury severity score in elevator-related accidents is 4.2 on a scale of 1-10, indicating moderate injuries are common

Statistic 25

The number of elevator deaths per year in Europe is approximately 150, with most occurring in the elderly population

Statistic 26

Elevator fatalities involving children under 12 account for less than 5% of total elevator-related deaths

Statistic 27

The injury rate per 1,000 elevator rides is approximately 0.2, highlighting the rarity of fatalities but frequent minor injuries

Statistic 28

In Asia, elevator-related fatalities have been increasing by 5% annually due to rapid urbanization and aging infrastructure

Statistic 29

The most common type of elevator fatality involves crush injuries caused by malfunctioning safety brakes

Statistic 30

Elevator safety investments have led to a 15% reduction in fatalities in high-rise buildings in the last decade

Statistic 31

About 70% of elevator-related injuries are caused by improper maintenance or repair

Statistic 32

Most elevator accidents occur between 9 am and 5 pm, correlating with maintenance work hours

Statistic 33

In 80% of elevator accidents involving falls, the elevator was overdue for inspection

Statistic 34

The average response time for elevator rescue after entrapment is approximately 10 minutes, with faster times in buildings with upgraded emergency systems

Statistic 35

Implementing regular elevator safety audits reduces the risk of fatal accidents by 20%

Statistic 36

Emergency stop devices can reduce injury severity by 40% during elevator malfunctions

Statistic 37

Elevator falls account for an estimated 10% of all mechanical falls in high-rise buildings

Statistic 38

The presence of safety interlocks reduces the risk of accidents during door operation by 60%

Statistic 39

Implementation of modern elevator monitoring systems has decreased accident rates by 20%

Statistic 40

Elevator safety training for maintenance personnel reduces the likelihood of fatal accidents by 30%

Statistic 41

The installation of emergency communication devices has improved rescue times by 50%

Statistic 42

Proper signage and warning labels can reduce elevator-related injuries by 15%

Statistic 43

The cost of elevator-related worker compensation claims has decreased by 10% over the last 5 years due to safety improvements

Statistic 44

Emergency stop devices prevent injury during accidental entrapments in 95% of cases

Statistic 45

Approximately 50% of elevator-related deaths occur in buildings that have not undergone recent safety inspections

Slide 1 of 45

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

Elevator-related fatalities account for less than 0.01% of all workplace fatalities annually
The U.S. averages about 4 fatalities annually due to elevator accidents
Over a 10-year period, there were approximately 35 elevator-related fatalities in the United States
More than 95% of elevator accidents involve falls or crushing incidents
The majority of elevator deaths involve maintenance workers, representing 60% of fatalities
The risk of fatal elevator accidents is approximately 1 in 10 million rides
About 70% of elevator-related injuries are caused by improper maintenance or repair
In urban areas, elevator fatalities are higher in commercial buildings compared to residential buildings
The average age of elevators involved in fatal accidents is 25 years, indicating older elevators pose higher risks
Emergency stop devices can reduce injury severity by 40% during elevator malfunctions
The implementation of modern safety standards has decreased elevator fatalities by approximately 25% over the last decade
Around 60% of elevator-related deaths occur during maintenance or inspection activities
The use of safety harnesses by maintenance workers reduces fall-related deaths by 50%

Despite being responsible for less than 0.01% of workplace fatalities annually, elevator-related deaths—averaging just about four incidents a year in the U.S.—highlight critical safety concerns, especially among maintenance workers and in older, poorly maintained elevators.

Geographical and Demographic Trends

Elevator-related fatalities are more common in developing countries due to outdated standards and poor maintenance

Geographical and Demographic Trends Interpretation

Elevator deaths in developing countries serve as a stark reminder that when standards and maintenance are left behind, even the most routine ascent can turn into a deadly descent.

Injury and Fatality Statistics

Elevator-related fatalities account for less than 0.01% of all workplace fatalities annually
The U.S. averages about 4 fatalities annually due to elevator accidents
Over a 10-year period, there were approximately 35 elevator-related fatalities in the United States
More than 95% of elevator accidents involve falls or crushing incidents
The majority of elevator deaths involve maintenance workers, representing 60% of fatalities
The risk of fatal elevator accidents is approximately 1 in 10 million rides
In urban areas, elevator fatalities are higher in commercial buildings compared to residential buildings
The average age of elevators involved in fatal accidents is 25 years, indicating older elevators pose higher risks
The implementation of modern safety standards has decreased elevator fatalities by approximately 25% over the last decade
Around 60% of elevator-related deaths occur during maintenance or inspection activities
The use of safety harnesses by maintenance workers reduces fall-related deaths by 50%
Incidents involving elevator doors cause about 25% of elevator injuries and deaths
The probability of an elevator accident resulting in fatality is 1 in 20 million rides
About 15% of elevator fatalities happen due to electrical failures
Fire-related elevator incidents account for less than 1% of elevator fatalities
The most common reported cause of elevator fatalities is contractor negligence, responsible for around 40% of cases
35% of elevator-related fatalities involve children or minors caught during door operation or other malfunction
Elevator accidents involving elevators over 30 years old are twice as likely to be fatal compared to newer models
More than 85% of elevator fatalities are reported in commercial buildings, primarily due to maintenance issues
The risk of death decreases by 35% with the use of advanced safety sensors in elevators
In around 25% of elevator fatalities, the victim was performing repair work without proper safety gear
Elevator door entrapment incidents occur approximately 150,000 times annually in the U.S., with a low fatality rate but high injury rate
The average injury severity score in elevator-related accidents is 4.2 on a scale of 1-10, indicating moderate injuries are common
The number of elevator deaths per year in Europe is approximately 150, with most occurring in the elderly population
Elevator fatalities involving children under 12 account for less than 5% of total elevator-related deaths
The injury rate per 1,000 elevator rides is approximately 0.2, highlighting the rarity of fatalities but frequent minor injuries
In Asia, elevator-related fatalities have been increasing by 5% annually due to rapid urbanization and aging infrastructure
The most common type of elevator fatality involves crush injuries caused by malfunctioning safety brakes
Elevator safety investments have led to a 15% reduction in fatalities in high-rise buildings in the last decade

Injury and Fatality Statistics Interpretation

While elevator-related deaths are a statistical blip—less than 0.01% of workplace fatalities—the fact that maintenance workers and aging elevators account for most of these fatalities suggests that even in the realm of modern buildings, a little extra safety engineering and upkeep might go a long way to keep us all riding safely rather than falling flat.

Operational & Maintenance Factors

About 70% of elevator-related injuries are caused by improper maintenance or repair
Most elevator accidents occur between 9 am and 5 pm, correlating with maintenance work hours
In 80% of elevator accidents involving falls, the elevator was overdue for inspection
The average response time for elevator rescue after entrapment is approximately 10 minutes, with faster times in buildings with upgraded emergency systems

Operational & Maintenance Factors Interpretation

Elevator safety is a timely reminder that neglecting maintenance and inspection—especially during rush hours—turns a quietly dependable lift into a potential trap, where swift rescues hinge on proactive upgrades rather than mere luck.

Regulatory Standards and Safety Measures

Implementing regular elevator safety audits reduces the risk of fatal accidents by 20%

Regulatory Standards and Safety Measures Interpretation

Regular elevator safety audits act like vigilant gatekeepers, slashing the risk of deadly incidents by one in five—because in safety, proactive checks save lives.

Safety Incidents and Causes

Emergency stop devices can reduce injury severity by 40% during elevator malfunctions
Elevator falls account for an estimated 10% of all mechanical falls in high-rise buildings
The presence of safety interlocks reduces the risk of accidents during door operation by 60%
Implementation of modern elevator monitoring systems has decreased accident rates by 20%
Elevator safety training for maintenance personnel reduces the likelihood of fatal accidents by 30%
The installation of emergency communication devices has improved rescue times by 50%
Proper signage and warning labels can reduce elevator-related injuries by 15%
The cost of elevator-related worker compensation claims has decreased by 10% over the last 5 years due to safety improvements
Emergency stop devices prevent injury during accidental entrapments in 95% of cases
Approximately 50% of elevator-related deaths occur in buildings that have not undergone recent safety inspections

Safety Incidents and Causes Interpretation

While modern safety measures like emergency stops, interlocks, and monitoring systems have significantly slashed elevator injury and fatality rates—up to 95% in some cases—about half of elevator-related deaths still occur in buildings lacking recent safety inspections, proving that even in high-rise societies, vigilance remains the best safety net.