Industrial gate safety
Keep workers safe from falling industrial gates. If gates are not inspected or maintained the risk of serious injury increases.
Since 2017, SafeWork NSW has been notified of 17 incidents involving industrial gates.
Two of these incidents caused fatal injuries.
Lack of maintenance was the main cause of these incidents, making the gates fall or become unhinged.
Industrial gates can weigh hundreds of kilograms.
The most common injuries from the industrial gate incidents were broken bones (pelvis and vertebrae).
SafeWork NSW Inspectors will be checking industrial gates in the construction, agricultural, transport and warehousing industries.
When was the last time you checked your gates?
Employers need to pay attention to the condition of industrial gates in their workplace.
If you have industrial gates at your workplace watch this safety alert.
Common gate safety issues
Gates can breakdown for several reasons, such as:
- damage to the gate leaf or support post
- wear and tear of the drive mechanism, stoppers, or rails.
Worn or broken stoppers can allow the gate to travel off the end of the track and fall.
Broken support posts or guides can also allow a gate to fall.
When the drive mechanism is disconnected, some features on the gate don’t work, such as:
- the anti-collision function – the gate can now open into something and crush it
- the travel limiters – you’re now relying on physical stoppers to stop the gate over-travelling
- the gate speed control – it can now run into the stoppers too quickly and they can break.
How to ensure work health and safety
There are specific laws about working with plant, including industrial gates, to ensure the safety of users and people nearby.
SafeWork NSW takes a zero-tolerance approach to lives being placed at risk. We may issue on-the-spot fines for non-compliance with work health and safety laws.
Individuals may be fined up to $720 and businesses up to $3,600.
Consider ‘reasonably practicable’ control measures to manage the risks associated with industrial gates. Ensure:
- the gate is installed by a competent person
- a safe system of work is used when installing or replacing the gate, to prevent it falling
- a competent person, such as a mechanic or engineer, regularly inspects and maintains the gate, including the drive mechanism, stoppers, posts, rails, and tracks.
If the drive mechanism stops working
- Only disconnect if it is safe to do so, and only so you can secure the gate.
- Make sure the gate can be supported in its track by the posts and/or guides.
- Secure the gate in an open or closed position, and have a competent person complete the repairs as soon as possible.
- Put up a sign advising the gate is not working
- Don’t use the gate manually – it’ll create wear and tear on the stoppers.
If you must use the gate manually, do a risk assessment and develop a safe system of work. Ensure everyone knows how to do it safely.
More information about gate safety
Incident information releases
- Industrial gate fatality – SafeWork NSW
- Worker crushed by falling gate – Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, Western Australia
- Truck driver crushed by falling gate – WorkSafe Victoria
- Automated gates safety alert – Work Safe New Zealand