Also online at: www.dijonline.co.uk 75 THE door industry journal winter 2024 Industrial Doors & Shutters dhf Urges Caution When Working on Spring-assisted Doors A recent prosecution (July 2024) has highlighted the need for caution when working on doors fitted with springs. On learning of the death of a man strangled by his hoodie when it became hooked and wrapped around the balancing system of a sectional door, dhf further reiterated adherence to proper installation, maintenance and specification when fitting spring-assisted doors. dhf’s Senior Training & Compliance Officer, Steve Hill, explains the factors to consider. “Many vertically moving doors use springs for various purposes, some to provide balance, some to assist lifting of doors, and others to provide controlled closing of doors,” explains Steve. “Springs on such doors will be at various states of tension during the operation of the door, depending on the function of the spring and the position of the door, and this will be a consideration when assessing the work to be completed. “When working on a vertically moving door, it is important to ascertain, initially, whether a spring is present, and if so, what the current status of the spring might be. It is crucial that people working on doors are trained and experienced in all aspects of door operation and safety and can assess the potential hazards which may be encountered when working on different door types.” In the abovementioned incident, which proved fatal, it was found that the attending industrial door company had neglected to make a sufficient assessment of the safety risks faced by its employees, such as those associated with door springs, as well as failing to implement and maintain a safe system of work for staff while repairing and maintaining doors, and providing the necessary information, instruction, training and supervision to ensure the safety of its personnel. “Companies employing personnel to undertake these tasks should have safe systems of work in place, be confident that the members of staff are competent to work on the specific type of door, and have the correct training and equipment to complete the task safely,” continues Steve. There are several elements to consider when working on spring-assisted doors: • Working at Height In many cases, the springs used will be located at a high level, and adequate provision must be made under the working-at-height regulations to ensure staff can safely undertake the work required. • Knowledge and experience Doors come in varying designs, and while their appearance may appear similar, hidden dangers may not be immediately apparent to the untrained eye. Engineers working on doors should be trained to an acceptable level and suitably experienced with sufficient knowledge to assess the hazards of working on different types of doors. They should be familiar with the kind of door being worked on and the processes required for the job in question, particularly when it is known that the task will involve working with springs. • Clothing and PPE Only suitable clothing should be worn, and loose clothing or clothing in poor repair should be avoided; these can create hazards with moving parts. Appropriate PPE should be worn in accordance with the company’s risk assessment, and a safe system of work should be provided. • Equipment Certain tasks require specific equipment, particularly when charging or discharging springs, due to the forces involved when springs are under tension. Where specific tools are provided for a specific task, these should be used rather than modifying existing tools or using self-manufactured products. “To comply with Health and Safety at Work Legislation, companies have a legal responsibility to protect their staff and others who may be affected during and as a result of their work,” concludes Steve. “Work involving doors containing springs is by its very nature, ‘high risk’, to those completing the work, to those in the vicinity of the door, and if carried out incorrectly, further risks involving the ongoing operation of the door can be experienced.” Find out more about dhf at www.dhfonline.org.uk
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