HUGE DIGITAL DEMAND FOR DHF’S SAFETY GUIDE

Article first published 10/07/2009

A Door and Hardware Federation (DHF) safety guide designed to prevent fatal accidents involving powered doors and shutters has been downloaded more than 8,000 times in the first four months of 2009.  
 
Door manufacturers, installers, end users and safety experts are amongst those who have been downloading the DHF’s comprehensive guide to improving the methods of restraining roller shutter door barrels from www.dhfonline.org.uk .  
 
The DHF says the colossal amount of download requests has followed the endorsement from the guide by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) on its own website.  
 
The best practice guide was produced jointly by the DHF and the HSE following a number of accidents involving industrial doors and shutters, one of them fatal, which were investigated by the HSE.  
 
The DHF Best Practice for the Methods of Restraining Roller Shutter Door Barrels Guide details the design characteristics which must be considered when specifying or supplying roller shutter door barrels.  
 
The DHF has been advising its own members on the correct installation and use of power operated shutters and doors for many years. A tragic death involving a roller door supplied by a non member of the DHF prompted the HSE inquiry which in turn led to the production of the DHF best practice guide.  
 
On the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport the HSE states: “The Health & Safety Executive has investigated a number of serious incidents, including deaths, which occurred when roller shutter door shafts moved relative to the support plates. These included incidents that occurred when the door was struck by moving vehicles, internal failure and failure of the support structure.  
 
“The DHF worked closely with the HSE to reduce the number of these incidents by producing its new guidance. It is aimed at manufacturers and installers of roller shutter doors who should consider what design modifications are required to prevent relative movement between the support plates and barrel shaft. Examples of good practice are provided.  
 
“The guidance is welcomed and endorsed by the Health and Safety Executive as an effective initiative which should significantly reduce the frequency of this type of incident.”  
 
For more information on the guide, visit the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/workplacetransport , or visit www.dhfonline.org.uk , or contact the DHF secretary, 42 Heath Street, Tamworth, Staffs B79 7JH. Phone: 01827 52337. Fax: 01827 310827. Email: michael.skelding@dhfonline.org.uk .

Article ID No.: 183