dead man's switches
Release-activated safety mechanisms
A dead man's switch is a safety mechanism that activates when the operator becomes incapacitated—releasing a grip, failing to respond, or otherwise losing control.
Trains use them to stop if the conductor collapses.
The concept extends to any system requiring continuous input to prevent action: He set up a dead man's switch to release the files if he didn't check in weekly.
Also called dead man's handles or deadman controls.
- safety valveAutomatic pressure-limiting device
- tripwireConcealed activation cord
- circuit breakerAutomatic power cutoff device
- grip safetyPalm-activated discharge preventer
- panic buttonEmergency alert activator
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