SIR – The tragic death of a ten-year- old boy who was killed by powered electric gates (a death that’s still being investigated by the Health and Safety Executive) has highlighted the security industry’s ignorance of its safety obligations under current legislation.

The Door & Hardware Federation – which represents the UK’s leading industrial and commercial door and shutter suppliers – has for many years helped its members meet their legal obligations as outlined by various UK and European Standards and regulations governing powered products. It seems that there’s no equivalent organisation guiding the manufacturers of powered domestic and residential security gates.

It comes as a great surprise to the majority of fencing contractors, security companies and other suppliers of security gates that these products have to be CE marked under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 because those gates are officially classed as machinery. The applicable product standard containing the safety requirements for this type of perimeter protection is BS EN 13241-1. Other obligations include the provision of technical construction files and suitable declarations of conformity.

Failure to comply with the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992 not only raises the risk of tragic accidents occurring, but also lays the solutions provider open to the risk of criminal prosecution and civil damages.

At present, the Door & Hardware Federation is involved with two initiatives aimed at improving the situation. We are working with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to update HSE guidelines on the correct usage of power-operated products. We have also decided to open our doors to suppliers of powered domestic security gates. Indeed, we have recently formed a specialist Domestic Security Gates Group within the Federation, and have invited all suppliers to seek membership of this Group as soon as possible.

Over many years we have built up a wealth of knowledge about the responsibilities of industrial and commercial suppliers of powered doors and shutters. Our members derive great benefit from the guidance and help we give them. If we can now pass this knowledge and experience on to the domestic and residential sector of the market then standards of quality and safety can only rise accordingly. Anyone wanting further information can send me an e-mail: ianphilipwood@hotmail.com

Ian Wood Chief Executive Door & Hardware Federation

Source

SMT