Hey everyone, I’m Jake—been running this moving walkway pallet supply game for almost a decade now, and one question I get nonstop from clients, operators, even regular people who hop on airport moving walkways is: “Are there actually rules for using these things?” Like, I’ve heard every take: some folks think it’s just a free-for-all, others swear there’s some secret government code you have to follow. Let me pull back the curtain here, because this is way more nuanced than you’d think, and it directly ties to how I build and supply these pallets for places like airports, malls, and transit hubs. Moving Walkway Pallet
First off, let’s clear up what we’re even talking about here, because a lot of folks mix up moving walkway pallets with the walkway itself. The moving walkway is the whole conveyor belt you stand on. The pallets are the flat, individual interlocking panels that make up that belt—think of them like giant, heavy-duty Legos that clip together to form the surface you step on. I’ve seen cheap imitations of these that bend or warp after 6 months, but the good ones (the ones I supply) are engineered to hit super specific standards. Now, regulations for using them aren’t just random rules—they’re built to stop chaos, injuries, and those annoying (and totally preventable) jams that make you miss your flight.
Let’s start with the stuff that’s not just “suggested”—these are the hard rules enforced by safety bodies, and honestly, they’re common sense when you think about it. First up: standing in the right spot. For any moving walkway that’s wide enough for two people, the rule is: STAY ON THE RIGHT (if you’re in countries that drive on the right, like the US, Canada, most of Europe outside the UK). The left lane is for walking fast to pass. Sounds simple, right? But you’d be shocked how many people camp out in the left lane scrolling TikTok, or step into it without paying attention. I’ve had transit clients come to me after a trip delayed 10 minutes because someone blocked the passing lane—turns out, that’s a violation of OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) standards for public conveyance. Wait, OSHA isn’t just for workplaces—they set safety rules for public infrastructure that uses moving walkways, which directly covers how people use the pallets. Because if someone trips over a pallet edge that’s misaligned (which happens when people cut corners on installation), OSHA gets involved.
Next big one: no running. I know, I know—sometimes you’re late, you see the walkway, and you want to sprint. But here’s the thing: moving walkway pallets move at about 1.5 to 2 mph, which is slow, but running means your feet are slamming onto those hard plastic (or steel, for heavy-duty industrial ones) panels way harder than they’re designed for. Over time, that repeated impact wears down the pallet’s interlocking clips, causing gaps or even panels to come loose. That’s not just a problem for the walkway’s lifespan (which is why my pallets are reinforced to handle that, but even the best can only take so much abuse)—it’s a huge tripping hazard. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has specific guidelines here: running on a moving walkway with a pallet system is classified as an unsafe act that can void the operator’s insurance. I’ve had airport ops teams tell me they post “no running” signs directly tied to that ANSI rule—because if someone sues after tripping on a loose pallet caused by a runner, the operator is on the hook.
Then there’s the stuff that’s specific to pallets specifically, not just the walkway. Wait, did you know there are rules about what you can place on a moving walkway pallet? I see people hauling big rolling suitcases, strollers, even bikes on these all the time. But here’s the rule: each pallet can only support a specific weight. For example, the standard commercial pallet I supply is rated for 300 pounds per square foot—so a 20-inch rolling suitcase is fine, but a full-size fridge? Not so much. But even beyond weight, there’s a rule against dragging heavy stuff across the pallet edges—like if you’re loading a big cart, you can’t yank it onto the walkway, because that can crack the pallet’s surface. The International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) has detailed specs for pallet load limits, and a lot of airports will reject my pallets if they don’t come with a load limit label that’s clearly visible. That’s not just me making stuff up—those labels are required by IAPMO for any public moving walkway.
Wait, what about kids and strollers? That’s another big one, and there’s actually a regulation here too. ANSI says strollers should be folded when on a moving walkway unless the walkway is specifically designated for stroller use (like at mall entrances). The reason? An unfolded stroller’s wheel can get caught in the tiny gap between two pallets, or between the walkway and the edge. I’ve designed a lot of my pallets with slightly wider gaps at the edges to prevent that, but the rule still stands—operators have to enforce that strollers are folded, and if they don’t, they’re violating ANSI standards. I had a client at a Disney resort reach out last year because they were getting fined by OSHA after a kid’s shoe got caught in a pallet gap—we adjusted the pallet design just a little (added a rubber strip along the edge) to fix that, but the core rule was still there: you can’t have open gaps that can catch small objects.
Now, let’s talk about the stuff that’s more “best practice” but still treated like a rule by most facilities. For example, don’t linger at the end of the walkway. A lot of people will stop right when the pallets start moving off the conveyor, to adjust their bags or take a pic. But that’s a hazard—because the next person coming up on the walkway won’t see you, and you could get pushed into the edge. Most transit systems post signs saying “clear the exit immediately” because that’s part of their safety protocol, which is tied to those ANSI and OSHA standards. I’ve seen mall managers fine their staff if they don’t patrol the exit to make sure no one’s lingering—because if someone gets hurt, it’s not just a personal injury, it’s a violation of those federal safety rules.
Wait, but hold on—what about places outside the US? Like the UK? Rules there are a little different, but still structured. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK has guidelines that are almost identical in core points: no running, stay in the correct lane, don’t overload pallets. The only big difference is the passing lane is on the right? No, wait—UK drives on the left, so passing lane is on the right (from the viewer’s perspective, which is the left from the walker’s). But the core rules are the same, because moving walkway safety is a global thing when it comes to pallet design.
Now, let’s get into the side of this that’s my job—supplying these pallets. Because a lot of people don’t realize that the way pallets are made directly ties to how regulations are enforced. For example, OSHA requires that pallets have non-slip surfaces, right? So all the pallets I supply have a textured top layer that meets that standard—no smooth plastic that you’ll slip on if you step in a puddle. And those interlocking clips I mentioned earlier? They’re made from a high-strength nylon that’s tested to handle 10,000+ hours of use, which is required by ANSI—if a pallet breaks, it’s not just a trip hazard, it’s a violation of the standard, and the operator can lose their license to run the walkway.
I get a lot of questions from small businesses, like boutique malls or local transit hubs, asking if they can skip some of these rules to save money. Like, “Can I use cheaper pallets that don’t have the load label?” The answer is a hard no. Last year, I had a small mall operator in Texas try that—they bought cheap pallets from a random supplier, cut corners on the gap design, and after a few months, a woman’s stroller wheel got stuck, she fell, and the mall got hit with a $200,000 OSHA fine. They came to me afterward to replace all their pallets, and we added extra safety features to make sure that never happened again. That’s why I never cut corners on my pallets—because the regulations aren’t just red tape, they’re there to keep people safe, and they directly impact my clients’ businesses.
Wait, but what about when people ask, “What if I’m just walking for fun at a mall, can I ignore the rules if there’s no one around?” Let’s be real—no one’s gonna stop you if the walkway is empty, but here’s the thing: those rules are there for a reason. Even if no one’s around, running on a moving walkway wears down the pallets faster, which means the walkway will break sooner, and the next person who uses it might get hurt. I’ve had a guy come up to me at a trade show last year, bragging that he runs on every moving walkway he uses, and I told him he’s not just risking his own safety—he’s making my job harder, because those pallets have to be replaced every 5 years instead of 7, which drives up costs for everyone.
Another thing: I’ve had clients ask if there are rules about modifying pallets. Like, can you paint them? Cut them? No way. Any modification to a pallet changes its structural integrity, which means it no longer meets ANSI standards. I once had a guy who worked at a college campus walkway try to paint over the non-slip surface on the pallets—within a week, two people slipped, and the college had to pay a fine, plus replace all the pallets we’d supplied them. So that’s another unwritten rule (but one that’s enforced) that you can’t alter the pallets from their original, certified design.
Let’s wrap this up with what this all means for you, the person using a moving walkway. The regulations aren’t some random set of hoops to jump through—they’re a combination of global safety standards, federal rules, and best practices that keep you from getting hurt, keep the walkway running, and keep the people who supply and maintain these pallets doing their job right. I see it every day: when people follow the rules, walkways are smoother, faster, and way less stressful. When they don’t? Jams, delays, injuries, and headaches for everyone.
If you’re a facility operator looking to upgrade your moving walkway pallets, or if you have questions about the specific regulations that apply to your space, I’m here to help. I don’t do the cheap, no-name pallets that break in six months—all my products are tested, certified, and meet every global safety standard. We can chat about your needs, walk through the specs, and make sure your walkway is compliant, safe, and built to last. Reach out whenever you’re ready to talk shop.
Elevator Overspeed Governor References
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) A17.1: Safety Code for Elevators and Escalators, 2021 Edition
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 29 CFR Part 1910: General Industry Safety and Health Standards
International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC) for Conveyance Systems, 2022 Edition
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) UK: Moving Walkways and Passenger Conveyance Safety Guidelines, 2023 Update
Sanjin Elevator Parts Co., Ltd.
Sanjin Elevator Parts Co., Ltd. is one of the most professional moving walkway pallet manufacturers and suppliers in China, featured by quality products and good service. Please rest assured to buy or wholesale high-grade moving walkway pallet at competitive price from our factory.
Address: 18th Floor, Xinyuan Center, Fenghe Road, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
E-mail: elevatorparts@westdt.com
WebSite: https://www.sanjinelevator.com/
