On 9 June 2023, a prime mover driver was closing a steel sliding gate at the entrance of a warehouse when the gate travelled beyond its stopper and toppled onto him. He was sent to the hospital where he died the same day.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the stopper affixed at the top of the gate was worn, which could have resulted in the gate travelling beyond its guide bracket.
What Company Should Do
Companies should review and make sure adequate safety measures have been made and implemented for sliding gates at their workplaces. Some of these measures include:
• Design of gate stopper: Stoppers should be designed and sized to prevent derailment during operation. Corrosion, weathering and repetitive use may make the stopper ineffective and the gate unsafe. Seek the manufacturer’s advice on replacing the stoppers in such cases.
• Report defects: Stop using the gate immediately if any defect is spotted on the gate. Report the defect to the gate’s manufacturer as soon as possible. Work with the manufacturer to develop safe work procedures for handling defective gates.
• Gate inspection and maintenance: Gates should be inspected and maintained based on the manufacturer's recommendations. If the stopper needs to be removed during maintenance, the gate must be properly propped and supported to prevent toppling. Warning signs and barricades should also be put up to warn and keep others away from the unsecured gate.
• Gate repair: Only trained and authorised personnel can carry out repair work on the gate.
• Gate modification: Do not modify any part of the gate and its components unless approved by the gate’s manufacturer.
For more information, refer to the Circular on Safety Considerations in Gate Design and Operation.
Under the WSH Act, first-time corporate offenders may be sentenced to the maximum fine of $500,000 whilst individuals can either be sentenced to the maximum fine of $200,000 and/or an imprisonment not exceeding 2 years. Read more on the WSH Act penalties.
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