How to Keep Your Commercial Roller Shutters Safety Compliant

As a business owner, you have a responsibility to protect the safety of your staff and visitors. One way to do this is by taking proper care of your industrial shutters.

When an industrial shutter malfunctions, it not only puts the security of your premises at risk, but also poses a significant threat of injury. The moving parts of the door can potentially crush people or objects, and there's a risk of getting tangled up in the door mechanism. If the door is electric, not keeping up with maintenance increases the likelihood of electric shocks.

Luckily, there are several regulations in place to help guide you when it comes to roller shutter maintenance and repairs.

Thanks to our years of experience in providing and installing roller shutters across various industries, the Quay Facilities team are well-acquainted with meeting health and safety standards. Below, we break down the key regulations related to roller shutter doors and share what you need to do to make sure your roller shutters comply with them.

What Health and Safety Regulations Do You Need to Follow?

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are tasked with protecting the well-being of both their staff and visitors. Part of fulfilling this responsibility involves complying with the regulations outlined below.

Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992

These regulations require employers and those in charge of workplaces to make sure all equipment, including roller shutters, is safe for use. Regulations 5 and 18 highlight:

"The equipment devices and systems to which this regulation applies shall be subject to a suitable schedule of maintenance."

And

"checked at regular intervals, as appropriate, by inspection, testing, adjustment, lubrication, repair, and cleaning."

Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER)

PUWER is a set of regulations that cover the safety of work equipment, including roller shutter doors. According to this regulation:

"Every employer should ensure that work equipment is maintained in an efficient working order and in good repair."

And

"Every employer should ensure that any machinery has a maintenance log and the log is kept up to date."

PUWER states that an up-to-date logbook should contain:

• Time and date of service / maintenance
• Details of any work carried out
• The results of the inspection
• Details of any additions / replacements / upgrades made to the door
• The nature of the fault
• Signature and information of the person responsible for carrying out the inspection / repair

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989

These regulations cover electrical safety, so they apply to the electrical components of power-operated roller shutters, such as motors and control systems. They state:

"Every electrical installation shall be so designed, constructed, installed, maintained and protected as to prevent danger."

And

"All electrical equipment shall be of such construction and be so installed, protected,  and maintained as to prevent, so far as is reasonably practicable, such equipment from becoming a source of danger."

How Can You Comply With These Regulations?

There are two key actions you should take to comply with the above regulations: arrange for regular maintenance of your roller shutter door, and get any faults repaired as quickly as possible. We've provided more details below.

Regular Roller Shutter Maintenance

Roller shutter maintenance involves regular inspection, cleaning, and servicing to make sure the shutters operate smoothly and safely. It helps extend the lifespan of the roller shutters and reduces the risk of malfunctions, which makes it crucial for complying with regulations.

Commonly, roller shutter maintenance involves the following tasks:

• Checking guides, curtains, rollers, and the barrel for signs of wear or damage
• Clearing away dirt and debris from the shutter components
• Applying lubricant to moving parts to minimise friction
• Tightening any loose nuts, bolts, or screws
• Examining the wiring, control systems, and safety features (for electric shutters) and fixing them as needed
• Touching up or repainting the roller shutter

Roller shutters are large and potentially dangerous when not handled properly, so it's always best to have a professional take care of the maintenance for you. It's recommended to schedule maintenance at least once a year, or if you use the shutters frequently, every six months.

Emergency Repairs

Faulty commercial roller shutters can make your premises more vulnerable to break-ins, pose a safety risk to people and objects, and potentially violate health and safety regulations. The issue could worsen over time if left unsolved, so it's crucial to address any damage to your roller shutters or automatic doors promptly, whether it's from an accident or deliberate tampering during a break-in.

Talk to the South's Experts in Roller Shutter Maintenance and Repairs

At Quay Facilities, we provide fast and effective planned maintenance services for businesses in South London, Kent, and the nearby areas. On top of our exceptional workmanship, we make outstanding customer service our priority - that means we show up on time, carry out expert testing, and if there's a fault, fix and document it effectively.

But that's not all. We understand that emergencies can happen anytime, which is why our emergency repair service is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Our dedicated emergency roller shutter team treats your call as a top priority, aiming for a 'first time fix' to get you back up and running ASAP.

Whether you're worried about roller shutter compliance or just want to get a quote on our services, don't hesitate to reach out online or call us on 0208 2266 247 today. We're here and ready to help you out!