Case 98 - Maintenance firm stated it was mandatory for electric gates to be serviced annually under current health and safety regulations

Issue

A company which provides electric gate maintenance services has said that it is MANDATORY for owners of "domestic" electric gate systems to have them serviced annually, under the current Health & Safety Regulations.

Panel decision

There is no mandatory requirement for "domestic" owners of electric gates to have them serviced/tested annually. It is a good idea to have regular checks carried out on the gates in accordance with manufacturers' instructions. HSE will be contacting the company who claimed that annual checks were a mandatory requirement under regulations and asking them to amend their response to enquirers.