Every year, thousands of children across the UK suffer finger entrapment injuries from school doors. Many are serious. Some even result in partial or full amputation. Yet facility managers are surprised when the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) refuses to accept ignorance as a mitigating factor. If the risks were well-known and long-standing and could have been addressed using established safety solutions, "We didn't know" does not hold up legally and morally. What Does UK Law Require Schools to Do? Schools have a legal duty to identify foreseeable risks and act on them. Door finger entrapment is not an emerging hazard but a documented, well-understood risk. The Children's Charter Door Safety Standard provides a specific code of practice for this very issue. It exists because the risk is real and because solutions are available. Failure to comply is a matter of oversight and liability. The consequences of non-compliance are significant. Fines can exceed several thou...
Many UK schools use PVC curtains in storage rooms, kitchens, and delivery areas to keep dust out and divide the areas without having major physical barriers. But these curtains do not last forever. They can become stiff and cloudy and wear out with time. When this happens, they can become a safety risk and look unsightly. Here are more details on how often you should replace your PVC strip curtains and on adding additional safety features if necessary. How Long Do PVC Curtains Usually Last in Schools? Most PVC curtains can last 2-4 years, even in heavy-use areas. But if they start to crack, tear, look cloudy, don't overlap properly, and aren't easy to clean, it may be time to replace these curtains. Quick replacement helps maintain temperature control and prevents loose, cloudy plastic from becoming a tripping or hygiene hazard. When Should Schools Replace PVC Curtains? A simple rule of thumb for school managers is to inspect the PVC strip curtains every 12 months. If the...