Most businesses don't think about door safety measures. The doors open, close, lock, unlock, and do their jobs every single day. However, unprotected doors can be safety hazards and cause serious liabilities. In the United Kingdom, you have a legal duty of care to prevent foreseeable injuries, including fingers trapped in shutting doors. The Legal Landscape The authorities mandate taking reasonable steps like installing door hinge guards to protect children, vulnerable adults, and others from preventable injuries. So, you must comply with the necessary health and safety regulations. Failing to do so is a breach of duty. Severe legal repercussions may follow once an injury occurs due to high-impact closing doors or unprotected hinges. What Happens After A Door Accident? Parents or guardians can file a claim if a child is injured due to unprotected doors. Solicitors are involved. Inspections are scheduled. Insurance companies take note of every minute detail on your premises. U...
Kids are naturally curious. They are always running around, touching everything and ducking through doorways without a second thought. It is just part of how they learn and understand the world. But in places like schools, where there are many doors and even more distractions, that curiosity can lead to accidents. One of the biggest hidden dangers is the side of the door where the hinges are. It might not look risky at first look, but if a child's fingers get caught there as the door closes, it can do some real damage. Well, these kinds of accidents don't have to happen. Schools can keep those curious little hands safe with the right precautions in place. Why are school doors such a big problem? Doors in schools are thick and heavy. That's great for their durability but not for tiny hands that might wander too close. It is easy to see how accidents happen. A child could be leaning against the wall, not realising their fingers are right near the hinge side of a door. Th...