08 Jan Are finger protectors mandatory?
When it comes to door safety in any setting – whether commercial, industrial or residential – finger protectors are pretty important. In environments, like schools and nurseries, finger protectors safeguard the littlest of hands to prevent one of the most common classroom injuries. While in workplaces, finger door guards keep employees safe and employers or building owners at minimal risk of huge compensation pay-outs.
Why are finger protectors necessary?
There are many reasons why you should fit finger door guards throughout your premises. All users of your building after all need protection, with the seemingly common injury able to cause lasting damage in individuals of all ages. Children are particularly vulnerable to finger entrapment as this guidance from the City of Wolverhampton Council explains:
“It is estimated that up to 15,000 children trap their fingers in doors in the home each year in the UK and research has shown that this is a frequent cause of injury in day care and educational settings as well… over 30,000 children under the age of 15 visited UK hospital accident and emergency departments with finger/thumb injuries caused by doors and door frames with more than 1,500 needing some form of surgery.”
Even with prompt treatment, the soft tissue injuries caused by finger entrapment can take up to six weeks to heal, with full recovery from symptoms taking as long as three months for some patients. The use of finger protectors comes highly recommended as a result, preventing injury and reducing liability.
Are door safety systems required by law?
Despite all the benefits finger protectors make possible, their use isn’t as widespread as you might think across the UK and the rest of the world. Finger protectors are in fact not required by law in the UK, with current health and safety legislation simply recommending their use within public settings.
With prevention better than cure however, we’d strongly suggest taking matters into your own hands and installing door finger guards to enhance safety standards across your building or workplace.
What makes our finger guards so special?
For finger protectors that put safety, quality and ease of use first, choose Fingersafe. We design, stock, supply and fit door guards for almost every door type – excluding sliding doors – to ensure every exit, entrance and thoroughfare within your building is fully protected.
With decades of experience creating finger protection products, and applications across several industries, our designs deliver the reliability you are looking for to make door-related finger injuries things of the past.
Where do you begin when installing yours?
Fingersafe finger protectors can be installed across 99% of today’s doors to actively eject fingers from danger zones, and prevent associated injuries and lawsuits. The whole process begins with picking the right product for your needs, and our team is here to support you with your selection.
You should carry out a door safety risk assessment – you can download yours here to complete your own – to identify door types throughout your setting so that installation can go ahead as planned and with the correct Fingersafe protectors. All our Fingersafe door guards are available as supply only or supply and fit products.
Ready to get started? Download our latest brochure or contact us for further advice.
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