Door safety at work: The health and safety rules and regulations you should know

21 May Door safety at work: The health and safety rules and regulations you should know

As a UK employer, you have a responsibility to uphold a certain standard of health, safety and welfare for anyone utilising your commercial or industrial property, including employees and visitors. Maintaining door safety is a vital part of this puzzle.

While the use of finger protectors isn’t mandatory – although, in our opinion, it certainly should be! – there are several health and safety rules and regulations that refer to door safety and its importance within the UK workplace. Read on to discover the legislation and guidance that you should be aware of…

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (SMR08)

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008 (SMR08) provide essential reading for employers as well as those responsible for the design, construction and placement of machinery within the workplace. This particular piece of legislation prompted the revision of two European Standards in recent years – namely BS EN 12453:2017 and BS EN 12604:2017 – and is certain to influence how you view and manage the safety of doors, gates and barriers within your workplace.

The revisions were sadly sparked by two child fatalities, each of which involved powered gates, and subsequent powered gate safety failures. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) explains how standards have changed in response to these unfortunate events:

“Regulation 7(1) of SMR08 requires all machinery such as powered doors, gates and barriers to be safe. It is the duty of the person responsible for the design, construction and placing on the market/putting into service of the machinery to ensure this. Others then have the ongoing responsibility to keep the product safe through its lifetime of use, which includes ensuring non-employed persons are not endangered by the equipment…”

The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

Another piece of legislation that references and aims to uphold high standards of door safety is the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Regulation 5 and 18 in particular make some very important points for the maintenance of workplace systems, which include but are not limited to the safety of doors.

Under these regulations, employers must ensure that all doors and gates located within their premises are suitably constructed and maintained. There is a recommendation for the fitting of safety devices (like our finger guards), especially for the conventionally hinged doors that swing both ways across main traffic routes of the property.

Powered doors and gates should incorporate safety features (retrofitted or otherwise) to minimise the risk of entrapment. This legislation also covers the accessibility requirements that are applicable in UK workplaces. Regulation 18 describes the requirements when it comes to the inspection and maintenance of industrial doors and shutters too.

The Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974

Last but certainly not least is the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. This primary piece of legislation covers many aspects of occupational health and safety in the UK. In short, it is an employer’s duty to take reasonable steps to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of all personnel and visitors at work. Adding door finger protection throughout the premises is one step worth taking for employers looking to protect themselves and their workers.

Discover the door finger protection you’ve been searching for by browsing our latest brochure for the full product range and further details.