Regular servicing of industrial doors and shutters is vital for maintaining
standards of safety and reliability - it should not be sacrificed to save costs
during the economic turndown.
So says the Door & Hardware Federation (DHF), which represents all the UK's main
manufacturers, suppliers and installers of industrial and commercial doors and
shutters, garage doors, building hardware and architectural ironmongery.
Said DHF secretary Michael Skelding: "Companies are cutting costs ruthlessly as
they battle for survival during the economic turndown. Worryingly, one of the
first casualties can be routine maintenance of industrial doors and shutters.
"But this is 'penny wise, pound foolish'. The consequences of cutting back on
regular maintenance of doors and shutters include financial loss, danger in the
workplace and the loss of insurance cover. Managers also risk breaking the law."
The DHF pointed out that all industrial doors fall within the scope of
legislation which places a duty of care on all building owners and occupiers to
ensure their doors are regularly and competently maintained.
Mr Skelding continued: "Plant and maintenance managers and engineers recognise
the value of regular maintenance of industrial plant to ensure reliability and to
prolong operational life. Legislation places a duty on the employer to safeguard
the health and safety of his employees and others by ensuring machinery is
maintained regularly and that the maintenance is recorded.
"But many managers and engineers still do not realise that both powered and
manual doors and shutters fall under the Workplace (Health and Safety and
Welfare) Regulations just like any other piece of plant and machinery in the
factory. In addition, fire resisting doors are covered by the Regulatory Reform
Order legislation which also requires suitable maintenance to take place."
The DHF has been active in getting the maintenance message across to plant and
maintenance engineers. Its repair and service group of members is devoted to
promoting the benefits of regular servicing and has just issued a fully updated
Code of Practice for the Repair and Maintenance of Industrial and Commercial
Doors.
Legislation stipulates that a suitable written record is kept as evidence that
the maintenance system is properly implemented. Obtaining regular maintenance and
service from a DHF member company ensures factory managers meet their obligations
under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, Provision and Use of Work
Equipment Regulations and Workplace (Health and Safety and Welfare) Regulations.
"Growing regulation of the workplace is putting extra obligations on employers to
meet legislation. They must ensure all equipment, including doors and shutters,
is suitable for its intended purpose, is in good repair and is subject to a
monitored programme of maintenance," added Mr Skelding.