Media information

October 16, 2015

More than 70% of powered gates can cause serious injury or death

Gate safety campaigners are holding a week of urgent action in a bid to dramatically improve the safety of automated gates in the UK. In recent years, three children and three adults have been killed in gate accidents, with more than 70% of the 500,000 automated gates currently in service in the UK, deemed to be unsafe to use.

The alarming statistics have led the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) Powered Gate Group to mark October 12 - 18 as Gate Safety Week - the second year that the high profile campaign has run. In the weeks leading up to the event, the DHF Powered Gate Group and its 100 members - who comprise Britain's leading manufacturers, suppliers, installers and maintainers of powered automatic gates and gate automation equipment - have been campaigning relentlessly to raise awareness of the dangers associated with poorly fitted and maintained powered gates.

In addition, the DHF Powered Gate Group has just launched a petition in an attempt to have the law changed, as the group's chairman, Neil Sampson, explains:

"Currently, those responsible for workplace powered gates can face criminal charges, should an accident or fatality occur as a result of a poor installation or maintenance, but this is not the case with domestic gates. We want to see the law changed, so that owners of unsafe domestic gates can also be prosecuted in the criminal courts.

"Properly installed and maintained gates are perfectly safe to use, but we are acutely aware that unsafe installations are still being undertaken by uneducated installers and gate companies who, quite simply, are willing to take dangerous short cuts in both gate manufacture and installation. This illegal conduct absolutely must stop!" he said.

"Gate Safety Week 2014 was a resounding success and we are delighted to be running the campaign again this year in a bid to continue to engage, educate and encourage best practice and improved standards throughout our industry. Most importantly, it is hoped that through Gate Safety Week, accidents resulting from unsafe powered gates will become a thing of the past."

To access and sign the petition, click here:https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/109917.

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Note to editors: The DHF Powered Gate Group is a collective of the UK's premier gate installation companies and the major automation equipment suppliers who work together to provide state of the art technology in safe and reliable installations. The Door & Hardware Federation (DHF) represents all the key players in the following sectors: powered gates, industrial/commercial doors, garage doors, metal & timber doorsets and locks & architectural hardware. With the ultimate aim of maintaining and raising quality standards throughout the industry, all DHF members must meet minimum standards of competence and customer service.

Issued on behalf of the DHF by

Ainsworth Public Relations

0161 427 3861

guy@ainsworth-pr.co.uk

Door & Hardware Federation

01827 52337

www.dhfonline.org.uk

PICTURE CAPTION

Pictured, Neil Sampson, Chairman of the DHF Powered Gate Group.