The UK’s Health and Safety Executive has issued a safety notice to electric gate manufacturers and installers, estate and facilities management companies following the inquest into the tragic death in April 2006 of 9-year old Jason Keet in Poole, Dorset.
Poor design of the electric gates at his grandparents’ apartment block had allowed Jason to reach through the gap between the gate and gate post to press the internal release mechanism, and as the gates opened the gap reduced, trapping him in the gates crushing zone.
Although the electric gates were fitted with sensors to detect obstacles in the path of the gates once they were in motion, the sensors were ineffective in this instance because they were not designed to identify the presence of a person at the ‘spine’ (or hinge) of the gate.
The Health and Safety Executive requires electric gate installers to carry out a comprehensive risk assessment of hazards to anyone using the gates prior to design and installation, and for the design to eliminate or considerably reduce any risks identified. It also requires that persons responsible for the management and maintenance of electric gates should be provided with appropriate documentation, instructions for use and training to operate and maintain the gates safely, and recommends that regular reviews or assessments should be undertaken to ensure the gates are maintained in a safe condition.
Chris Lewis Fire and Security would like to reassure customers that it already adheres to all of the required actions of the Health and Safety Executive, and would encourage any private individuals or commercial organisations concerned about the safety of existing automatic gates, vehicle barriers or bollards to get in touch for a free health check.