HSE investigates two deaths involving gates

Date:

5 July 2010

A spokesperson for the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said: "HSE has been assisting the police in South Wales following the death of a child in an incident involving an electric gate in Bridgend on Saturday. Inspectors have already been on site to start an investigation and will meet again today with South Wales police. It is too early to comment on what happened at this stage.

"HSE is also assisting police in Greater Manchester (GMP) following the death of Semelia Campbell in Moss Side last week. This is a separate incident and HSE inspectors and specialist inspectors with expertise in mechanical engineering have been on site to investigate.

"In Manchester, HSE and GMP have required that developments in the vicinity of the Maine Road estate, which have gates similar to those being investigated following the death of Semelia Campbell, are locked in an open position until inspectors can fully examine them and ensure there is no ongoing risk.

"HSE issued a safety alert to gate manufacturers and installers in February this year, reminding them of their safety responsibilities when designing, constructing and installing electrically powered gates, to minimise the risk of an incident happening.

"Should anyone have any concerns about electric gates on their development, they should speak to their management company or their installer, who have a duty to ensure the gates will stop safely should they be obstructed (also known as force limitation protection). They must ensure that the force limitation protection and other anti-crushing, shearing and trapping safety protection devices are correctly set and maintained."

Notes to editors

1. As both incidents are ongoing investigations, HSE will not be able to comment further.
2. The safety alert is available on the HSE website: http://www.hse.gov.uk/safetybulletins/electricgates.htm
3. The Health and Safety Executive is Britain's national regulator for workplace health and safety. It aims to prevent death, injury and ill health. It does so through research, information and advice, promoting training, new or revised regulations and codes of practice, and working with local authority partners by inspection, investigation and enforcement.

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