Automatice Gates

If you have automatic gates on your development then hopefully you will already be aware of new guidelines published by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) following the tragic death of two children last year. If you are not, then don't despair, that's why Service Charge Help is here. For starters I suggest you take a look at the advice direct from the HSE.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/electricgates2.htm

Now the gates which caused the fatalities were bothsliding gates, as pictured. However these guidelines relate to all mechanically operated gates & shutters whether they be for vehicles or pedestrians. So what do you need to do? Well here's my handy step by step guide to follow.

1. All mechanical equipment on your development should have a service contract in place, gates are no exception. If you haven't already, make sure one is in place.

2. You need to make sure your gate complies with the guidelines and is as safe as possible. Ask your gate contractor to carry out a risk assessment. This will highlight all of the areas in which your gate fails to meet the required standard and provide recommendations to resolve them.

3. Depending on the quality of the assessment you may consider a second opinion. It will always be a smart option to get the advice of an H&S professional on what recommendations are high priorities and which you may not have to implement. You may also want to push your gate contractor for alternative options, as some recommendations (such as meshing), can be very unsightly for a residential development.

4. Get all of those high priority works carried out as a matter of urgency. Remember, if you delay and an injury occurs as a result, then you may find yourself liable.

After this you will have fulfilled your responsibility, just remember to keep a service contract in place!

If you are responsible for a gate installed after the guidelines were published then make sure you obtain a certificate of conformity from the installer. This proves the gate meets the requirements.