-: In June, 2020, a worker was killed
when the electric sliding gate,
he was trying to manually open, fell on him.
SafeWork, New South Wales has investigated
a number of serious incidents where an electric gate
has fallen onto a worker.
Two of these incidents,
tragically resulted in the worker being killed.
In all cases, the electric gate's drive mechanism
was disconnected and the gate was being opened and closed
manually when it was not safe to do so.
If you work with electric gates, keep your people safe.
(gentle music)
Electric sliding gates can break down for various reasons,
such as damage to the gate leaf, support post, guide track,
or wear and tear of the drive mechanism.
An electric gate, like all plant, needs regular inspection
and maintenance to ensure it's operating safely.
Worn or broken stoppers can allow the gate leaf
to over-travel off the end of the track and fall.
(metal clanging and crashing)
Broken support posts or guides
can also allow the gate to fall.
When the drive mechanism is broken or disconnected,
key safety features of the gate no longer work.
The anti-collision function stops working,
so now the gate can open onto something,
creating a crush hazard.
The traveller limiters stopped working,
so now the gate may hit the stoppers.
Repeated impacts can cause the stoppers to break
allowing the gate to over-travel and fall.
(gate falling and crashing)
There was also no longer speed control on the gate.
Even a single impact with enough force to the stoppers
could cause them to break off.
Gate components can be extremely heavy.
Even when the gate is supported by its posts or guides,
manual handling can cause serious injuries.
Installation of electric gates should always be carried out
by a suitably competent person.
When installing or replacing a gate,
ensure a safe system of work is agreed upon
and followed by all workers
to prevent the gate from falling.
Regular inspection of the gate parts must be conducted.
Engage a suitably competent person to inspect the gate leaf,
stoppers, posts, rails, guides and tracks.
If any parts are damaged and affecting the gate's operation,
take the gate out of operation immediately
and repair or replace the damaged parts
as soon as possible.
Regular maintenance of the gate parts must be observed,
and particularly the drive mechanism.
If the drive mechanism stops operating,
only disconnect it if it's safe to do so,
and only for the purposes of securing the gate.
Prior to disconnecting the drive mechanism,
ensure the gate is supported in its track
and by the posts and guides.
Secure the gate in either an open or a closed position
and engage a competent person to undertake the repairs.
Post a sign, advising people
that the gate is not operational.
Make sure the gate is not operated manually.
If there is no other option, but to use the gate manually
do a risk assessment and develop a safe system of work
for operating the gate.
Identify the only times the gate should be used manually
and by whom.
Make sure everyone operating the gate
is aware of the hazards and trained in how to do it safely.
Make sure your electric gates are
regularly inspected and maintained
to prevent people at your workplace being killed
or seriously injured.
Be gate safe.
(gentle music)