Gate Safety Week has received an unprecedented level of support from leading UK organisations.
The Door & Hardware Federation (dhf) initiative, now in its fourth year, is an all-year round crusade that culminated in a week of between 9-15 October, raising awareness of the dangers of unsafe gates, highlighted in a dhf video. This year’s campaign had focused on automated gate safety within the school environment.
Midlands-based EasyGates produced and heavily promoting a video regarding gate safety, Procter Brothers ran an article highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and Cova Security Gates offered free gate safety checks to local businesses, producing a gate safety video and have dedicated an area of their website to the importance of gate safety.
dhf chairman Jeremy Procter said: “As one of the founding members of dhf, Procter Contracts are proud to support Gate Safety Week. ‘Safe gates save lives’ is such an important message to raise awareness of.”
In recent years, there have been nine deaths in the UK and Ireland – six adults and three children – as well as several serious injuries and countless near misses in accidents involving badly installed and poorly maintained automated gates and barriers.
With more than 500,000 automated gates believed to be in use, it is estimated that more than 70% are deemed unfit for purpose. But, as a result of dhf’s on-going campaigning and training programme, progress is being made.
EasyGates MD Tony Daniels-Gooding added: “Gate Safety Week shines a light on the very important safety issues that need to be considered when using automated gate systems. Gate safety is something we take into account on a daily basis when speaking to installers and users of gates. The correct safety procedures and products are imperative to ensure safe and proper use is carried out.”
Cova Security Gates marketing manager Karen Deacon and Electro marketing and business development manager Niall Bishop also put their weight behind the campaign.
The British Safety Council, the British Safety Industry Federation, the Federation of Private Residents’ Landlords, the Institute of Residential Property Management and many other influential organisations in the security, enforcement, inspection, education and safety sectors have, once again, lent their support to the Gate Safety Week initiative.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) are one such organisation who are urging the need for greater safety and awareness.
Head of Operational Strategy Philip White said: “HSE supports Gate Safety Week 2017, the dhf and all those involved in ensuring the safety of powered gates. By working together in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of safe powered gates, we can reduce the risk of people being hurt.”
