Management Information Sheet

It has been brought to the notice of Norfolk Trading Standards Service a matter regarding the safety of the installation of an automated electric gate at a Norfolk School.

The following factors mean that automatic gates are classed as high risk gates by the HSE:

• 1. Where children may be in close proximity to them


• 2. Where it is not possible to instruct users


• 3. Where the gates are used by the public in high numbers

Norfolk Trading Standards would like to draw to the attention of all Norfolk Schools that automated gates can be potentially dangerous if not correctly installed or maintained.

Electric gates should be electrically safe and should be installed with protection against crushing, trapping or shearing dangers by means of a laser curtain or safety edges.

All existing electrically operated pedestrian gates & vehicle gates should be risk assessed periodically with a recommendation by the HSE that the assessment should be supplemented by force testing. Failure to have such a risk assessment carried out by a competent person could leave the gate operator open to the risk of prosecution and may prejudice any insurances.

Recommendations:

• Check your gate is being regulatory maintained by a reputable company who will test the safety features of the gate to ensure that they are working correctly - they should use measuring equipment to test closing forces.


• Keep a log of maintenance and repairs and modifications made to the gates


• Ask the gate maintenance company to show you how to release the gates in an emergency - this should be easy and quick to do. Issue written / illustrated guidance to your staff how to do this and practice it.

If you have had a electric gate installed recently, it should have been supplied to you with a technical file that contains information and technical information on this area.

This message relates to automated gates, but roller shutter doors and barrier arms also need risk assessments and planned preventative maintenance.