Knowing your responsibilities – Swing Barriers
A local authority has been fined £160,000 after a man was fatally injured driving his car into an unsecured swing barrier.
The tragic event serves as a reminder to Duty Holders as to the importance of undertaking suitable risk assessments to identify potential dangers which may arise from faulty barriers. Horizontal swing barriers usually comprise of a beam or bar connected to a vertical pillar which is moved manually to open and close access to an entrance. Accidents can occur when barriers have been inadequately secured.
Measures can be taken to reduce risk such as, ensuring barriers are marked with alternate red and white bands, to allow for clear visibility. Regular inspections should be carried out to ensure barriers are adequately secured and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
More comprehensive measures, such as lowering the height of the barrier may also be considered, safeguarding drivers in the event of a collision with a vehicle and minimising the risk of the barrier penetrating the windscreen which may prevent fatalities.
To help reduce accidents, organisations must take positive steps to decrease the risks. By assessing risks involved with the management of traffic and pedestrians you can actively protect the safety of all parties and ensure health and safety legal compliance. An S2 general risk assessment will identify on-site transport risks, outline suitable control measures and will indicate where a more detailed traffic management assessment is required.
The S2 Partnership’s team of specialist consultants provide Traffic Management Assessments and Audits to help identify and manage the risks within car parks, loading bays and other areas requiring traffic management, please contact the S2 Partnership’s specialist consultants.