London West, UK - Following the death of two children in Manchester and Bridgend and near misses involving others, UK Health & Safety Executive have issued 'Risks to pedestrians from crushing zones on electrically powered gates' which is of interest to installers of new as well, as antique or reclaimed, iron gates with self-closing mechanisms.

The purpose of this Safety Notice is to reinforce and update previous information (HSE Safety Notice FOD WSW 1-2010) to organisations and individuals involved in the design, construction, installation and commissioning of electrically powered gates and organisations in control of their use and/or maintenance. It is also relevant to companies carrying out on-going maintenance of these types of gates.

It will be of particular interest to gate manufacturers, gate installers, those involved in the commissioning of electrically powered gates, organisations involved in construction projects (including the installation of gates), and persons or organisations in control of premises where persons other than their own employees may have access to such gates (such as site management and/or lettings agents).

[press release: H&SE 2 September 2010

In July the trade body which represents gate installers, the AESIF, said it would welcome a change in the law to ensure any company had to be legally registered to carry out work on automatic gates.

Its director general, John Birkett, added that his body was hoping to meet UK government officials about the issue in the near future.

[source: BBC 2 September 2010

BBC: Gate safety call after deaths in Bridgend, Manchester
H&SE: Risks to pedestrians from crushing zones on electrically powered gates

Story Type:  News

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