Installers, designers, maintenance firms and manufacturers of electric gates,
are being urged to seriously consider new safety advice issued by the British
Health and Safety Executive following recent deaths of two children involving
these gates.

The safety alert points out that limiting the closing forces of gates alone
will not provide sufficient protection to meet the relevant standards, and
installers must fit additional safeguards to gates in public areas.

HSE's Director of Field Operations, David Ashton, said:

"Electric or automatic gates are designed to stop if someone gets in the way,
and installers and those maintaining these gates have a real duty to ensure
this happens.

"They must take their responsibilities seriously to make sure that
anti-crushing, shearing and trapping safety protection devices are correctly
set and maintained."

Today's alert follows a similar notice issued in February this year reminding
gate manufacturers and installers of their safety responsibilities when
designing, building and installing electrically powered gates.

On 28 June this year, Semelia Campbell, 6, died when she was crushed by
electric gates in Manchester. A few days later on 3 July, Karolina Golabek, 5,
was also crushed to death by electric gates in Bridgend, South Wales.

While the police and HSE investigations continue into both deaths, HSE does
want to make it clear to installers that they must take action to prevent
pedestrians from becoming trapped in electric gates.

David Ashton added:

"When manufacturing, designing or installing electric gates, it's crucial to
consider who will be in the area when it's operating. If general public can
access the gate then additional protections should be in place.

"These protections can be in the form of creating safe distances, installing
fixed guards, limiting the forces or installing sensitive protective equipment
- among others."

HSE's advice today also reminds those in control of the maintenance of electric
gates to regularly review their risk assessments, taking account of or any
changes to the operating conditions or environment.

More info

AplusA-online.de - Source: British Health and Safety Executive (HSE)