WSH Alert – Worker Crushed by Toppled Steel Gate

6 Jun 2011, Ref: 1011133 WSH Alert – Worker Crushed by Toppled Steel Gate Incident In March 2011, two security officers were manually closing a steel sliding gate about 10m long by 2.5m high. In the process, the gate dislodged and it toppled onto one of the officers. The officer was pinned to the ground and succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. Preliminary investigation revealed that the steel sliding gate was initially designed to be operated by remote. Its motor, equipped with over-travelling limit switches, had been removed for repairs prior to the incident. Figure 1: Position of two security officers manually closing the steel gate Figure 2: Worker crushed by toppled gate Recommendations*: Occupiers of premises that include similar size metal sliding gates can undertake control measures such as the following to prevent an accident: Install a suitable physical stopper or barrier to prevent the gate from over-travelling. The length and weight of the gate must be taken into consideration to assess the suitability of the stopper or barrier. Inform users of the gate if any part of the gate (stopper or motor) which affects the normal operation of the gate is removed for repairs. Inform users about any peculiar environmental conditions, e.g. sloping ground where it might affect the stability of the gates during operation. Further Information: 1. Workplace Safety and Health Act (Chapter 354A), please click here 2. Workplace Safety and Health (General Provisions) Regulations, please click here 3. Workplace Safety and Health (Risk Management) Regulations, please click here 4. Code of Practice on WSH Risk Management, please click here * Please note that the information provided is not exhaustive and is for the benefit of enhancing workplace safety and health so that a recurrence may be prevented. The information provided is not to be construed as implying any liability to any party nor should it be taken to encapsulate all the responsibilities and obligations of the reader of WSH Alert under the law.

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