A young child had to be pulled free from an electric gate after he became trapped while playing at a primary school in Bournemouth.
Camera Security Services Ltd, who installed the gate, failed to fit appropriate sensor safety devices, Swindon Magistrates’ Court heard.
The firm was prosecuted on 30 September, after an HSE investigation revealed that the three-year-old had become trapped between the gate and the gatepost, whilst playing.
Parents and passers-by were able to push the gate open to prevent it closing completely. The child had to be pulled free, but escaped serious injury.
Camera Security Services Ltd., based in Wiltshire, had carried out an assessment, but had failed to identify the risks associated with the crushing point between the gate and the gatepost.
The firm, of Glenmore Business Centre, Waller Road, Devizes, pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 11 of the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 1992, and was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £7,000 in costs.
In mitigation, the company immediately installed pressure sensitive edges, which automatically stop the gate from closing completely if it detected someone is in the way. They entered a guilty plea and fully co-operated with the investigation.
In 2012, the director of Camera Security Services Ltd. passed away and the company is now run by a team of completely different people, Stephan Axt-Simmonds, the HSE inspector overseeing the case, commented that this was considered when sentencing occurred, however “the company is still legally responsible for the supply and installation of this machinery.”
The Safety Conversation with SHP (previously the Safety and Health Podcast) aims to bring you the latest news, insights and legislation updates in the form of interviews, discussions and panel debates from leading figures within the profession.
Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Google Podcasts, subscribe and join the conversation today!
