Dhf (Door & Hardware Federation) initiative, ‘Gate Safety Week’, which started yesterday has received an unprecedented level of support from leading UK organisations. The campaign, which started in 2014 and is now in its fourth year, is an all-year round crusade and culminates in a week of activity from 9th – 15th October, with the objective to raise awareness about the dangers of unsafe gates, as well as how to spot a potentially dangerous gate and report it. This year’s campaign has focused on automated gate safety within the school environment.
‘Gate Safety Week’ traditionally climaxes with a flurry of activity industry-wide, including interest from press and via social media and this year is shaping up to be no different. Midlands-based organisation Easygates has produced and is heavily promoting a video regarding gate safety, national organisation, Procter Brothers are running an article highlighting the importance of regular maintenance and Cova Security Gates are offering 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. Twitter in particular, has been extremely active with followers utilising #safegatessavelives to join the debate.
“Gate Safety Week shines a light on the very important safety issues that need to be considered when using automated gate systems,” says Tony Daniels-Gooding, Managing Director at EasyGates. “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. Our team of staff are on hand to offer free gate safety advice to all who need it.”
“Being in the perimeter security business for 30 years, Gate Safety is of paramount importance to Cova, so we are very proud to be supporters of Gate Safety Week, helping the dhf raise the awareness of #SafeGatesSaveLives not only during October, but throughout the year,” adds Karen Deacon, Marketing Manager at Cova Security Gates.
“Powered Gate Safety is an important topic for us at Electro,” explains Marketing and Business Development Manager, Niall Bishop, of Electro in Ireland. “Our team of engineers based across Ireland have seen many non-compliant examples of powered gates on commercial premises and seek to educate business owners on the potential risks involved. As members of dhf, our team go through their gate safety training courses with the aim of reducing the risk of injury caused by powered gates.”
“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.” said Chairman, Jeremy Procter.
These pro-active organisations join other industry heavyweights in putting their force behind dhf’s Gate Safety Week campaign. The British Safety Council, the British Safety Industry Federation, (BSIF), the Federation of Private Residents’ Landlords (FPRA), the Institute of Residential Property Management (IRPM) 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:
“HSE supports Gate Safety Week 2017, the dhf and all those involved in ensuring the safety of powered (automatic) gates. By working together in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of safe powered gates, we can reduce the risk of people being hurt,” says Philip White, Head of Operational Strategy at HSE.
The statistics behind the number of unsafe gates in operation across the UK is disturbing. 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.
“With Gate Safety Week now upon us, we are delighted that so many influential organisations are getting involved in the campaign to make automated gates safe,” says dhf Chief Executive, Bob Perry. “The Gate Safety Week campaign has grown significantly since 2014 and through its training programme, Technical Specifications, and collaborative working, the organisation has seen an encouraging improvement in the quality of gate installations as well as the knowledge of installers in the UK. For example, dhf members must abide by the Code of Practice for the Design, Manufacture, Installation and Maintenance of Powered Gates and Traffic Barriers (DHF TS 011:2016) which provides a framework to ensure a gate is safe and therefore complies with the law.”
For further information about Gate Safety Week, please visit https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/gate-safety-week.htm; TW: @gatesafetyweek @dhfonline. The dhf video regarding gate safety can also be viewed here:
https://www.dhfonline.org.uk/gsw/gate-safety-week-for-homeowners-and-the-public/19.htm