Footscray Plaza’s management team has responded to claims to fix a travelator which a number of visitors to the centre have deemed unsafe and has led to a number of injuries by engaging an independed consultant to audit travelators within the shopping centre.
Yarraville resident Breanne Geyle said she fell backwards on the travelator leading down to Kmart and injured herself in June, causing pain between her shoulders.
“I asked that they get the treads replaced on the escalators, as an elderly person could be greatly injured which could lead to them not recovering,” she said.
“It’s been waking me up for weeks.”
Tanya Stacey said she injured her hips and scraped her knee on the travelator on June 26.
“I have been seeing an osteopath ever since to align me again,” she said.
“My biggest concern is children, pregnant women and the elderly falling and seriously injuring themselves.
“I am really angry about this as I have had to deal with the pain and incur a cost for the osteopath.”
Footscray Plaza centre manager Josie D’Assisi said Footscray Plaza regarded the safety of its staff, retailers and customers of utmost importance and has undertaken work to improve the facility’s safety.
“We have recently engaged an independent consultant to audit our travelators,” she said.
“We also confirm that the travelators are serviced regularly in accordance with codes and standards and are maintained on a full comprehensive maintenance program.
“We have also arranged last week to apply a non-slip tread coating to the travelators and have also upgraded the current carpet installed to the entrance of the centre with a marine ply fixed matting.”
Ms D’Assisi said signage was also visible for visitors advising that they exercise caution and do not walk whilst using the travelator.
Matthew Sims
